Starting problems when cold
 

Hello all. Just enjoyed riding the Austrian Alps and Italian Dolimites 2 up with luggage on the DR650. Those hairpins were hard work with all the weight. I am impressed with the Avon Distanzia tyres - excellent for sealed roads - so so off road.At one stage high up (around 2500m) the bike spluttered a bit when I gave the throttle a handful. This problem persisted (only when I really gave it some) - but has now gone away since I have been back closer to sea level.

So far the bike has covered over 1000 miles since oil change and hasnt used a drop. I checked the air filter 2 days ago and noticed that the flame arrestor screen was frayed somewhat and was loose in the air filter box. I removed it too easily with my hand. Spent some time checking for frayed bits of metal wire in the air box.Found none. Also removed the snorkel from under the seat and cut a little hole in the top of the air box. I am sure the bike is breathing a little easier now.

The last 2 mornings the bike has been difficult to start - this morning I had to push start it. The battery turns over the starter motor - but it just wont kick over. Is it possible that the battery is now well past its prime and not holding enough charge to kick the bike over. Bike starts OK after its been running for a while. Could this be a problem with something in the ignition circuit? Could it just be dirty spark plugs - havent checked them yet after replacing 2 weeks ago. Any advice - PS The blinker problem I had in previous post was easily solved when I replaced the rear blinkers. Sure it was poor contacts in the blinker housing. Anyway this is OK now.

Your collective intelligence muchly appreciated.

Benaus,

Sounds like you've been having fun. I'm jealous.

If the battery is low and causing a problem it will turn over more slowly than usual.

I wouldn't think it was electrical becasue once the bike starts it runs fine.

Could be that the high altitde is causing
it too be overly rich. Does it seem to matter what position the choke is in?

The only other thing you may need to think about is valve adjustment. Its periodically needed and whne out of adjustment can cause problems your experiencing.

Thanks,
Todd Bellew

OK - problem solved (so far). Culprit - something as simple as a rusted choke cable. IE when I thought I was giving the bike some choke it was actually doing nothing. Simple fix - using my trusty Hein Gericke nipple kit - I removed the rusted cable and replaced it. I now have a choke that works and bike that starts first time on a cold morning. I had noticed that when the bike wasnt starting the evenings had been somewhat cooler.

Hey Todd - I have no service history on this second hand bike I now own - sounds like I should be getting a valve adjustment done before I hit eastern Europe proper. I am now in the Czech Republic. I do not have a manual for this bike - would a half decent Czech bike mechanic be able to do this for me do you think. What tolerances etc do I need to provide the mechanic with for this service.

OK all - I have found the mechanics here in the Czech republic to be very good...and cheap. 13 euros per hour for bike service labour. In Amsterdam the price was 44 Euros per hour. So I have had a valve adjustment done and an overall bike service here in Prague. At these prices I have also had other small things done to the bike - like rusted bolts replaced etc. (Well the bike was from the UK and everything on it was rusted or corroded).