Hard starting big red 200

[Pryme]

Hi all,

So my 82 big red ALWAYS started right up no issues and this winter it's been taking a lot longer before it fires up. Sure it is cold out, it was about 17f in the garage today, but still its taking more attempts.

Now I have to admit I've been running premixed gas in it that I had left over from a two stroke bike I sold. But its 40:1 mixed with regular gas. And I've done it before at times with no issues. I almost think it runs better on it.

Right now it's just straight gas though. So I put some seafoam in the tank and am hoping it helps. I've only rode it a few times with the seafoam in there.

Do you think the carb is dirty? Any other possibilities?
Thanks

[ps2fixer]

Not to plug a product I sell, but check the springs in your spark advancer under the CDI cover on the head. If they are broken or the rotor doesn't move easily it could be advancing the ignition timing too fast or not at all.

Here's the link to the product, it's atleast a good reference what they should look like when removed.
http://shop.3wheelerworld.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=304_307_315&product_id=403

Besides ignition timing, carb tuning or a dirty carb can cause the same issue too. Air leak on the intake could make it lean too, leaky valves could make it not run as well, so harder to start etc. Compression test would give an idea on the engine internal health, but I'd guess the springs or carb.

[Pryme]

This trike is darn near a collector quality three wheeler. The compression I have not checked but it's really high I'm sure just based on the fact the pull starter is an animal. I dont even bother using it due to how hard it is going through the compression stroke. Literally five times harder than my big snow blower and generator. So I only use e start.
I will pull that cover and see what it looks like!

[shortline10]

I would replace the spark plug and rebuild the carburetor with a shindy kit .
The two cycle fuel can foul out the spark plug .


Hi all,

So my 82 big red ALWAYS started right up no issues and this winter it's been taking a lot longer before it fires up. Sure it is cold out, it was about 17f in the garage today, but still its taking more attempts.

Now I have to admit I've been running premixed gas in it that I had left over from a two stroke bike I sold. But its 40:1 mixed with regular gas. And I've done it before at times with no issues. I almost think it runs better on it.

Right now it's just straight gas though. So I put some seafoam in the tank and am hoping it helps. I've only rode it a few times with the seafoam in there.

Do you think the carb is dirty? Any other possibilities?
Thanks

[Gabriel]

Yup. Cheapest simplest things first. Replace that plug.

200cc's are all I fool with. I have seen some that just absolutely refuse to start even on a seemingly good plug. Slap in a new one and it fires right up.

[fabiodriven]

No offense shortline, lol.

I feel like putting pre-mix in it would be nothing but benefial, except to the environment.

Be careful with the shindy kits. I just rebuilt an SX carburetor with a shindy kit and the replacement brand new float valve leaked. I put the shindy jets in the carburetor at the same time as the float valve, and the bike still didn't run right. I don't know for certain if the jets had any affect on how the bike was running, but when I had to disassemble the carburetor to replace the brand new shindy float valve which wasn't working right, I swapped out the shindy jets that I had just installed for the OEM jets. The bike then ran right. In all fairness, swapping the jets out was not the only thing I changed when it was apart, so I cannot say with certainty that the jets were the problem.

Shortline knows his stuff, and I know my post is pretty much opposite of his, so I don't know what to tell you, lol. This is just my experience.

[Pryme]

Thanks guys. I just put a new plug in this fall too. But they are cheap and easy.

[fabiodriven]

I'm firm on it not being the spark plug. In the decades I've been spinning wrenches, it is very very rarely the spark plug. I intentionally leave spark plugs in my machines for years and years to see how long they'll go and they are far more durable than people seem to think.

[Gabriel]

I'm firm on it not being the spark plug. In the decades I've been spinning wrenches, it is very very rarely the spark plug. I intentionally leave spark plugs in my machines for years and years to see how long they'll go and they are far more durable than people seem to think.

Wish you were closer. I'd love you to have a look see into one of my 84 200ES's. It starts like a brand new machine 99.9% of the time. Ever so often she refuses. Swap the plug. Rock on. Not the first time I have run into it either.

[ps2fixer]

I have no photos, but I've came across bad spark plugs semi often. Most of the time they were covered with thick black build up and clearly the engine wasn't running right to start with. The one I have in mind sat under a pine tree for a good 10+ years (owner claimed it only sat a year, they also said they were orig owner and the only issue was the rear axle bearing which was a lie). I've never seen rims so rotted out before. Actually I think I might have a photo when I first got the machine posted on here. Cleaning the carb and the new plug got the engine to fire up so I could see it was a smoker.

If you squint your eyes, you might be able to see the plug in the photo lol. Also it did spark out in the open air.

[Jd110]

Not sure if you’re aware there is a compression release on right side front of engine.

[shortline10]

Normally I would say not the spark plug but on the 200cc models even a brand new plug wet fouls real easy .
As for the sx model either shindy or OEM but I’ve come across a ton of shindy kits with issues , wrong float valves and jets , always compare numbers on the jets and a visual look threw them for comprarison , the kits are different between 85 and 86/87 models .

[Pryme]

Not sure if you’re aware there is a compression release on right side front of engine.

Yeah I try that once in awhile but its annoying because it closes after each press of the starter. It doesnt seem to ever matter.

[Pryme]

I have no photos, but I've came across bad spark plugs semi often. Most of the time they were covered with thick black build up and clearly the engine wasn't running right to start with. The one I have in mind sat under a pine tree for a good 10+ years (owner claimed it only sat a year, they also said they were orig owner and the only issue was the rear axle bearing which was a lie). I've never seen rims so rotted out before. Actually I think I might have a photo when I first got the machine posted on here. Cleaning the carb and the new plug got the engine to fire up so I could see it was a smoker.

If you squint your eyes, you might be able to see the plug in the photo lol. Also it did spark out in the open air.

Wow mine is like the exact opposite of that machine.
256943

Original down to the factory tires. And has never sat outside

[Jd110]

It should stay up until you pull the rope out and not needed when using the e-start.


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[Pryme]

It should stay up until you pull the rope out and not needed when using the e-start.


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Oh see I just learned something new. I never use the pull starter. And I've used it on estart. Makes sense why I thought it never does anything ha

[Gabriel]

It should stay up until you pull the rope out and not needed when using the e-start.


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Unless....you're in that one spot where it won't. Then just tug the rope a bit and pull it up again.

[ps2fixer]

I've seen this a couple times in the past, no spark with electric start, but starts fine pull starting. Try to pull start it and see what happens.

[Pryme]

I've seen this a couple times in the past, no spark with electric start, but starts fine pull starting. Try to pull start it and see what happens.

Well it eventually does start. Usually after about 8-10 presses of the starter button. I only let it crank for about 2 sec or so. If I give the throttle a very small push while cranking then let the throttle go it will fire but sometimes die. But a few more of those it runs and idles.

[ps2fixer]

If that's the case, sounds like your pilot jet is plugged. At least i my mind it makes sense, giving it gas opens the main jet to get enough gas, then letting off sucks in the charge and fires. Also just to make sure, you're using the choke cable right?

[Pryme]

If that's the case, sounds like your pilot jet is plugged. At least i my mind it makes sense, giving it gas opens the main jet to get enough gas, then letting off sucks in the charge and fires. Also just to make sure, you're using the choke cable right?

Yeah I always pull up the choke