Tickover adjuster

[jo]

Tonight I get all kitted up to take my bike to the garage for an MOT.
Started it up on choke no problem since I changed the cable at the weekend.
However the tickover off choke was a bit low so I adjusted it.
Now it won't start.
So I adjust it the other way.
Still wont fire.
Adjusted the cable left and right and any which way with absolutely no result in my bike attempting to start.
I checked reserve and switch to it in case it was that
Still no joy
What the fuck have I done to my bike? If the adjuster cable may have broken could this affect it?
I am really angry with it right now.

[nc30chris]

did you turn the bike off fairly quickly after starting it and adjusting the idle speed adjuster? i.e did it warm up properly?

[speedy231278]

If you've tried to start it loads of times without success, chances are you've fouled the plugs. These things hate being stopped or stalled when they have only just started. Either leave the bike overnight to see if the petrol evaporates, or take the plugs out and clean them up using a blowlamp or gas ring, etc. Bascially you need to get the crap off of them or the bike won't start regardless of where the adjuster is. All the idle adjuster does is open the throttle very slightly, so until you get it set right, opening the throttle just a tiny fraction will compensate. Don't hold it miles open when starting though! Also, idle is best adjusted when the engine is nice and warm, otherwise you will normally end up setting it too high as the idle improves as the bike warms through.

[tigerclaw]

It couldnt have done any permanent damage, what speedy says makes sense... maybe you turned it up to far (ie the throttle is too far open so it is running to lean when it is trying to start). So turn it all the way back (ie so thats its set for the slowest possible idle) so that the you can control the start up process with the throttle and the idle speed adjuster doesnt come into play at all

[jo]

OK I'll try that. I did wonder if i'd flooded it,so left it half hour and went back and still the same. Then the battery went flat!
So its on charge tonight
Which way do I need to turn the adjuster to get it lowest as possible? I tried both ways without success.

[tigerclaw]

My bike is pretty stripped (just put the motor back in), I'll go outside and have a look / make sure for you quickly

[tigerclaw]

anticlockwise (sure about that), not sure about this - but maybe put some tape on the throttle grip and turn the adjuster and see if the throttle closes (via the tape moving) this will show you how much it was held open by the adjuster and at what point it stops moving (ie the adjuster is no longer in play).

[jo]

Thanks for that. I will turn it allthe way anti-clockwise then try and start it on choke.
If it doesn't work then it's gonna have to be taken up the garage in a van

[Delboy]

Have you checked the choke cable? I know you've refiited it but has it slipped at all?

[CMSMJ1]

The idle adjuster should not stop you starting the bike - all is does is screw in and push opent he butterflies a touch.

You can take the slack out the throttle cables and then just a teeny bit more, then start it. The adjuster can strip it's thread so might have to check that, but there is no reason it should stop you riding - at worst, you'll have to manually keep the throttle on when stationary. Once going, no problem.