Problem starting from 'cold'
I've got a 1997 XT600 E which has been fine starting in the morning through the summer but has recently become very reluctant to get up and going. I live in Portugal so it's not like a cold northern European morning. I've tried everything the good people on other forum posts have suggested - full choke no throttle, a few twists of the throttle first, half choke etc but what happens is this: the starter motor turns fine (after battery being on trickle charge all night), nothing fires for the first few goes and then I get a single fire which dies immediately. I persevere and fiddle with throttle/choke combinations, get ten or so more short fires and finally, just before the battery has no more to give, it starts. I'm concerned about the damage this will be doing to the battery but don't know where to start looking for the problem. Could it be the choke not working? Is it something to do with the carb float (which sticks intermittently and dumps petrol on the garage floor when I stupidly forget to turn off the petrol tap)? I've recently stripped and cleaned the carbs and changed the air filter but it started fine for a few weeks after that so I don't think I messed anything up in the carb. I'd be grateful for any advice on where to start looking.
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