200x starting problems

[joenovosel]

i posted in the nw member forum but not too much help. Ive got an 85 200x when its cold outside it will take me around 100 kicks to get it started, after its warmed up it will start up ok. Im not sure why its such a pain when its cold. Any help please

[yaegerb]

Welcome to the site. Your issue is too generic for people to answer. Can you tell us what you have worked on yet? 100 kicks (I hope that is an exaggeration) is way too many kicks. A properly tuned/running 200x should start in no less than 5. Always start with the FAS principle: Fuel, Air, Spark.
Fuel
An easy issue to check first is your fuel lines and your carburetor. Have you ensured that your fuel lines are unblocked (fuel flowing freely) into the carb and that you are using fresh gas? Another to-do item for these almost 30 year old machines is to rebuild the carburetor. Shindy sells very inexpensive kits on ebay for the OEM 24MM Keihin carb.
Air
Almost always overlooked is the air filter unit on these machines. If you haven't already, spend the money on a quality airfilter like a UNI or a K&N. A properly oiled UNI or K&N will deliver consistent, fresh air to this machine.
Spark
Unscrew your sparkplug from the head, leave it in the boot and ground it to the side of the 200x head. Turn off all lights in your garage. Can you see a FAT BLUE spark? You will instantly see if you have enough spark or not. If not, then you may have an electrical issue and not enough spark to ignite your fuel. If that's the case, let us know...there are lots of good ATC electricians on this site...ahem...KBOnly...ahem.

Another item to note.....
I would also ensure that you have re-set valve lash on the machine as improperly set valves can cause erratic starting and running behaviors.

Let us know the progress on any of the above items. Narrowing down to one of them will help us help you.

[joenovosel]

These things will help a lot. I haven't done anything to it yet. I rode it this summer with no problems. This last weekend we took it out and that's when I noticed the starting problem. Sadly no not exaggerating it was close to 100 kicks to get it going. But once it was warmed up. It would only take one or two kicks to start.

[slashfan7964]

Mine was that way for a while. It took like 30 kicks after sitting for over a year. Once it was warmed up it would fire the first kick without issue.

[tri again]

Mine was that way for a while. It took like 30 kicks after sitting for over a year. Once it was warmed up it would fire the first kick without issue.

Was that gas a year old too?
I seems to have the best luck with fresh gas.

[JustEnough]

When was the last valve adjustment? I think that is what it needs.

[barnett468]

is it significsantly colder outside now out than it was before?

what is themp wgere you are trying to start it?


how much chioke is required for cold start?

how much choke do you use if amy to start it when it is cold?


do you have some flammaBLE BRAKE CLEANER OR STARTING FLUID ETC THAT YOU CAN SORAY IN THERE WHEN IT IS COLD TO SEE IF IT STARTS?

IF YIUR GAS IS APPLE JUICE COLOR OR DARKER IT IS TOO OLD AND/OR DISCOLORED FROM RUST IN THE TANK.

IF GAS IS A YEAR OLD OR MORE I WOULD REPLACE IT AS OTHERS SUGGESTED.


p

[barnett468]

What is the air temp where you are trying to start it?

[barnett468]

Are you giving it any throttle when you are trying to start it cold?

If so how much?

Next time you kick it 10 times when the bike is cold and it does not start remove plug and see if it is wet. If it is dry you have a fuel delivery prob.

[joenovosel]

I found out the air inlet tube, from the filter to the carb. Fell off by the filter and melted a hole in it. Im pretty sure i got dirt in the carb so i pulled it off and cleaned it out. The smaller jet, pilot jet i think its called was clogged but is now clean. I got the bike from a shop and before they sold it they rebuilt the carb,petcock and cleaned the tank. Its got nice clean gas in it and now the fuel is flowin good. After i cleaded the carb i kicked it about 15 times with the choke on halfway still nothing, pulled plug and its wet. But its pretty blackish brownish? The temp has been around 40-50 dropping this week to 20s. Usually if not winter time i use half or no choke. Winter half to full. Ill pump the gas a couple times when starting. Never have held it while starting.

[oscarmayer]

try startign w/o the choke. and try startign w/o touching the throttle during start.
change the plug as it coudl have been dround and is now bad.

[joenovosel]

The plug is my next guess. I havent adjusted the valves. I have no idea how to do it.

[El Camexican]

Sadly no not exaggerating it was close to 100 kicks to get it going.

Have you measured the diameter of your right and left calves and thighs to see if there is a noticeable difference between the two since getting this trike?

[yaegerb]

The plug is my next guess. I havent adjusted the valves. I have no idea how to do it.

Send me your email address and I will send you a manual and then you can properly adjust your valves. Also you will need to check for spark as this is sounding more like a weak spark issue. Does it excessively smoke on start up or while running?

[slashfan7964]

Was that gas a year old too?
I seems to have the best luck with fresh gas.

Yeah, I drained what I could and got it running. Burned the last of the bad crap through it then it was fine.

It was even worse after it sat for almost 8. Really should take the carburetor apart and clean it.