Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Yamaha Tech
Yamaha Tech Originally the Yamaha XT600 Tech Forum, due to demand it now includes all Yamaha's technical / mechanical / repair / preparation questions.
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
is the one
you never begin

Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 27 Sep 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Looking fo XT600 (kick) starting techniques/tips

Hi, I've got a 1983 XT600 34L that seems to be a bit of a problem starter, I can't find anything obvious mechanically and tried loads if variations of technique etc. for starting it but nothing gives consistent results, nearest I have come up with so far is to kick it with choke on and no throttle until it spits a bit then choke off and keep kicking (and cursing/praying) with a little throttle on but it's far from an easy starter. So any suggestions for different methods would be welcome.
__________________
1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere 34L
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 27 Sep 2012
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: christchurch newzealand
Posts: 384
I had trouble starting mine ....with a backfire too.....turned out the carb boots had split and once replaced started second kick.....does it run ok or idle badly or misfire?
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 27 Sep 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 66
The holy Grail

It's here in this forum. Someone called it that, the holy grail. How to start an XT 600.
I have had mine for 3 years and i still can not start it on demand every time. Like a battle of wills, i do not always win.

There are things that make it easier:
You must set your decompression cable correctly. Research it.
If you have a dirty fuel tank and/or a leaky float needle or if your engine is not in a good condition, take the bus. Get the parts and fix it.

To start:
You must consider the temperature. Cold and choke you will need. How much you will learn. Mostly full choke. And NO THROTTLE. ALWAYS.
You must learn where to 'park' the crankshaft before you kick. Very important and not easy. You can listen to the clicks the decompressor makes.
Or you can find TDC at nearly the end of the kickstart stroke. Viewed from the side the lever should be at 7 o'clock and piston at top dead centre firing position.
Now release the lever to the top and calmly push down. If it does not start, kick again from the top. The engine stops in the right place, no need to find TDC.
Starting from hot is the same. Just no choke. And NO THROTTLE.
It is said that one can start and XT with the hand, and i believe it. There is no compression, taken care of by decompressor.
But not always. Sometimes i am not perceptive enough.
Cold; after 4 kicks with full choke and not started, it will be too rich and will not start.
Hot; 4 kicks (without choke) and it can be too rich and will not start.
At this point i want to walk away. Hey, it's not my bike, just trying to steal it...
Here i learned:
When failed starting cold, open the choke. Open and hold the throttle wide, gently kick the engine over a few times to dry it out. Now try starting again. If it starts you will need a little throttle to keep it going.
When failed starting hot, also open the throttle wide and gently kick the engine over 4 or 5 times to dry it out. You may want to operate the kill switch here to avoid a backfire. Now try starting again.
These steps may be repeated until you learn just what your XT is telling you and the engine starts.
It's also a great way to save that magnesium clutch cover from fracture due to booting the engine over compression.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 28 Sep 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Thanks for all that, it should keep me occupied for a while trying different things, I've definitely walked away from it a few times!
It does backfire sometimes when I have been kicking it with the choke on for a while but once it starts it runs OK, has to get warmed up before it will idle. It also backfires when I stop it using the switch on the throttle but not usually when I turn it off using the key.
I rebuilt it a few months back from a bit of a basket case and the inlet rubbers seemed OK but I will check them again, it also had a carb service kit at the same time, float needle seals etc.
__________________
1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere 34L
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 2 Oct 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Checked the inlets and the plug colour looks good so I don't think it is sucking air from somewhere it shouldn't and there is a good spark but still haven't found a starting technique that seems remotely consistent.
Have been searching other posts for info and a couple mention getting the ignition timing right but the manual I have says it is fixed, is there any way to adjust it?
__________________
1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere 34L
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 3 Oct 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Might be making some progress, took the carbs off and stripped them down again and everything seemed OK but noticed when putting them back on that the choke plunger was only coming about half way out and couldn't find any way of getting it to open fully just using the control on the bars, I have checked the 'fingers' for rough bits and put loads of grease on so can't see why it wont run to the end. I currently have a loop of wire twisted round it and hanging out over the oil cooler and it starts a lot better when this is pulled fully out. I think I can live with just pulling the bit of wire but it would be nice to get it working properly if anyone has any suggestions.
__________________
1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere 34L
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 4 Oct 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
Lights out.

As I was told recently, have the lights switched off and don't hold the brake lever in either. With no battery, it's best to have all the current go just to the spark, that's if your bike is batteryless. Lindsay.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Oct 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
Didn't know you could run them without a battery, but I never have the lights on when starting. I have been holding the front brake on to lock the throttle shut but I have put a LED back light on and it only uses 100 mA.
Now that I have found the choke problem it is starting fairly consistently within about 6 kicks from cold, warm starting can still be a bit hit-or-miss.
__________________
1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere 34L
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Oct 2012
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 619
TTR.

I've got a kickstart-only TTR, didn't and don't know about the XT's which these are based on. The TTR has no battery or electrical gubbins related to electric starters. It's really only a just-roadlegal dirt bike. Lindsay.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 9 Oct 2012
BCK_973's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Buenos Aires,City of good sex,mate and asado!
Posts: 539
Owning an 1985 55W when I rebuild it,had dificulties to start,and when hot most times was imposible to restart again!Tried all other stuff,carbs,valves etc ,no luck!
One day(2 month later) started to die after 10 min of riding it.
In the end the pick up coil gave up and we find it out because there was no resistance,was open!
So they rebuild that part to new and let me tell you by just thinking of starting that think comes allmost allone!
Remember the pick up comes with the stator as part!
Try to replace with a second alternator(from a friend) to try starting it.
__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 9 Oct 2012
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 14
It is getting to be a fairly reliable starter when cold now that I have found the problem with the choke control but hot starts can be a bit variable. I checked the resistances on all the windings in the generator and spark coil and they were very near the values given in the manual I have.
__________________
1983 Yamaha XT600 Tenere 34L
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 9 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 66
Starting a hot engine is way more difficult that cold, provided you have a working choke.
Cable chokes are reported as yours, maybe not so bad, many say they use a finger to pull the choke fully before kicking. A new cable correctly adjusted will help.

Note: all xt600s, ignition is independent of the battery, have a separate coil to generate power for your spark. Leave all the lights on. Will not change the intensity of the spark. Not 600es, think they are different...sorry, they ARE different

Hot starting technique i use: the engine usually stops in the correct position to kick, and starts 1st kick 9 out of 10 times. Occasionally i hit compression with 1/2 a kick and have to turn the engine. That introduces another charge of fuel/air mixture and is sometimes too rich to fire. 2 more kicks without starting and it will definitely not start. Trick is to open the throttle wide and kick the engine over gently 3 or 4 times to dry it. Opening the throttle wide pumps only air thru' the cylinder, no fuel. Now close the throttle and kick. Works for me.
p
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 9 Oct 2012
BCK_973's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Buenos Aires,City of good sex,mate and asado!
Posts: 539
Pete
In my case allways before kicking i move the piston one complete cicle untill the decompression makes that "clack".Then firmly kick and allways 1K to go!
If i try to start not doing the descript above:It could start half way compression,or it will not.Then do as you described:-)
__________________
http://vientoderipio.blogspot.com/
America is a nice continent,not a country.All people who lives in this continent are americans.Discover it in peace!
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10 Oct 2012
kentfallen's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Bexhill, East Sussex, England, UK
Posts: 673
Get an electronic ignition model instead (XT6E)!

Kicking a BIG Jap single is NEVER going to be easy or risk free.

I know someone who literally snapped their ankle trying to kick start a Honda XR650 in winter! It was a compound fracture and the ankle bone actually pierced his skin. Not nice.... Poor chap still walks with a limp. He rides a 650 Burgman scooter now and who can blame him...

Proceed with caution....

All the very best.
__________________
Triumph Bonneville 800 (2004), Yamaha XT600E (1999), Honda XBR500 (1986).

Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 11 Oct 2012
Registered Users
HUBB regular
 
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 66
'Starting a big Jap single...'
Don,t think so. Maybe a big Brit single. Don't know the Honda but have never heard such.

The XT500 needed care but the 600 has a fool-proof, no, that's wrong. A fool may get hurt in strange ways.

The decompresson system on 600 is automatic, adjustable, and works. It took me 2+ years learning to start mine on demand. Never did it ever even seem to kick back. Often backfired but that was only mixture in the silencer.

Electric start adds weight, and the 600e '90 on do not inspire. Sadly even earlier E start models had flaws.

But best is that glow of satisfaction one gets occasionally, when there are spectators and you start up 1st kick
p

no bias was noted in the above message :-)

Last edited by pete j; 11 Oct 2012 at 07:27. Reason: spelling
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
1984 xt600 kicks back--HELP!!! Spyder1427 Yamaha Tech 27 9 Feb 2016 01:27
XT600 Engine Rebuild Phoenix6 Yamaha Tech 15 2 Feb 2015 22:02
XT600 rear fender / plate holder mod fraserbyrne Yamaha Tech 15 22 Sep 2012 09:50
Round the World - Northern Hemisphere only - starting in May 2013 Landerstow Travellers Seeking Travellers 4 5 Sep 2012 07:21
97' XT600E start failing / starting circuit cutoff relay p/n ? jamesahkXT600e Yamaha Tech 1 9 Jun 2012 02:43

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now
, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

HU Event and other updates on the HUBB Forum "Traveller's Advisories" thread.
ALL Dates subject to change.

2024:

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

HUBBUK: info

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.




All times are GMT +1. The time now is 14:16.