Kick start trouble.......XT 350

[Deon85]

Good day all. I Recently acquired a 94 XT 350.

All well and everything works as expected from this bike.

Just having trouble starting in the mornings.. Takes a lot of kicking. Is there anything I should check?

I see the Pressure release has been removed.

Kind Regards

Deon

[*Touring Ted*]

Originally Posted by Deon85

Good day all. I Recently acquired a 94 XT 350.

All well and everything works as expected from this bike.

Just having trouble starting in the mornings.. Takes a lot of kicking. Is there anything I should check?

I see the Pressure release has been removed.

Kind Regards

Deon

Well, you've kind of answered your own question there !!

Does it run strong and powerful when it is running ??

I'm assuming that you have tried new plug, clean air filter, good gas, correct valve clearance etc etc ?

[Deon85]

Hehehe, guess you right. Bike runs fine when I get it going and even takes the first start if left for an hour or 2.

Overnight it back to Square one. Sorry I am kind of new at the biking maintenance. Use to do a little work on my Float etc but that’s it

Think ill have a look at the Plug etc.... Thanks for the Tip!!! Will have to get all that sorted.

Regards

Deon

[*Touring Ted*]

If it starts nicely once warm it would lead me to think its probably the plug, valve clearances, or a lean mixture from cold.. Do you use the choke ?

[aukeboss]

I have no experience with the XT350, but on the 600's it is almost always the idle screw setting. From factory it is set at 2 - 2,5 turns out, which is not enough for older bikes.
To adjust correctly, warm up engine and turn out till engine speed increases, then keep screwing out til speed lightly drops again. Finished.

Auke

[bruken]

Just a thought. Pretoria is quite high in altitude Deon. If the bike comes from the coast you may want to lean up the needles or even go a size smaller jet. Speak to the local dealer and see what jet size they recommend. My XT was a lot more difficult to start when I rode up there on the way to Barbeton from CT and felt very underpowered by comparison. My old Mazda 2000 bakkie from the 80's era actually came from the dealer with smaller jets in the cubbyhole for the escarpment. Never needed them though until driving over the Drakensburg.