Hi all,

A noob question: I dropped my bike in deep sand and after had problems starting it. I tried to bump start it but nothing worked. After a while I fiddled with the tank switch thinking maybe I'd ran out if fuel then tried again and hey presto it started. the bike was down for a minute or so as it was tricky to get up due to steep hill. The other day It fell over as the stand cut through very loose earth. Again took a while to start! Does this cause the engine flooding and if so, why? What's the best way to deal with a flooded engine?

Cheers!
rtw

Indeed a Noob question ... but a pretty good one!

Two things going on here ... one I'm sure of ... the other not sure of.

1. Once a bike has been on it's side for more than a minute or so ... it will flood. This means hard starting. Be thankful you don't have a kick start!

Here is what to do:
1. switch off fuel and ignition as soon as you can get to them after a fall. Shutting off fuel will help minimize flooding. If you can't get to the shut off ... don't worry. If you have a headlight switch, shut off headlight (to save battery!) if not ... not to worry. (you can improvise a headlight ON/OFF switch someday - easy)

2. To Re-Start: Choke: OFF, fuel: ON, Throttle held wide open: 100%.
Gear box: Neutral, pull clutch: IN, side stand: UP, Kill switch: RUN position.

3. Holding throttle wide open, hit starter and let it crank. Do not move throttle. After 3 or 4 seconds, it should sputter and start to come to life. As it does, release throttle completely. Once started, Rev it a bit to "clear" excess fuel. Good to go.

The 2nd thing is doubtful ... but it could be possible that your Brazilian Honda has a Tip Over Shut off Safety Switch. Check owners manual (remember, that thing I told you to read ... Cover To Cover? ) Many bikes have this cut off switch to prevent fires. It shuts off ignition once bike is laying 90 degrees (on it's side) Get it?

Sometimes ... it can take a minute for the switch to "right itself" and reset.
Once bike is upright, shake, bounce front wheel or Giggle it somehow. This can help switch go back where it should be and allow a re-start.

That's it. It's probably just flooding. Normal.

Great! Have read the manual cover to recover and don't remember anything about the cut off switch but what you said makes complete sense. One thing that comes to mind that I noticed by accident the other day:-

When motor was running and the choke was ON, I noticed if you tipped the bike over the engine started to cut out, could this be the switch you are referring to?

Not sure about that one ... sounds more like a Carb issue. Try to take choke off ASAP after starting engine, unless very cold. And don't leave it on by mistake. (not good for motor)

Usually one minute with choke ON is enough to create some heat. Idle will be low for about 10 minutes ... that is normal. Once HOT, idle will rise up and normalize.

In very cold conditions (45F or below) its good to TURN UP idle speed before starting (use idle adjust screw near Carb). Engine will start more easily and not stall as easily. Turn idle back down to normal once HOT.

Almost certainly carb related, since flooding is what happens when you drop the bike. But I've also had a sidestand switch jam after a fall in sand. Then you spend some time messing around trying to figure out what's going on, in the process of which you put the bike on and off its stand, whereupon the switch randomly starts functioning again.

If you haven't already done so, eliminate this cutout now rather than waiting until it drives you crazy some day. Or not: disable the switch and there's that embarrassing moment when you take off from a start with the stand down, then wonder what the grinding noise is or dump the bike in front of a crowd of non-impressed locals. Your choice.

Mark