guys & gals...as much as I love my bike I'm starting to feel it's like triggers broom "I've had this same broom 14yrs!! it's only had 6 new handles and 9 new heads"

like most of us, she's not liking cold mornings. I know she's an old gal and it's to be expected but what can I do to help??
she's kept in a garage and tries to start but when it's cold she won't fire.

I need to get the carbs jetted and I reckon she's due some new spark plugs...but can anyone suggest anything else that might help??

I've searched on here but can't find a similar thread.

thanks xx

Does your choke work? Are you sure it opens all the plungers on the carbs when you pull the lever?

That would be where to start.

whip the tank off and airbox lid and bottom and at the front of the carbs you'll see the other end of the choke cable, could be something as simple as the cable grip is not gripping tight enough which will result in sloppy choke movment (you will also be able to see if everything is moving as it should with all that out of the way)

thanks both of u, will give that a go at the weekend!!!


bloody love how helpful people are on here!!!!

If everything is working apparently as it should then the next step is to open the carbs and clean out the jets, especially the small jets. Could be that they are very slightly blocked or the holes closed up. The holes are 0.35mm, if they close up with silt to e.g. 0.25mm, then your bike will be very lean on tickover and might not start well even with choke.

If that doesn't sort it, open the air screws 1/8 of a turn and let the tickover be a little richer.

You need full choke and no throttle at all until it's running, don't even go near it.

If it's still being troublesome as said, remove strip, clean and reset carbs to original specs.

choke seems fine so I think the carbs need doing...
it's not something I feel confident enough to have a go at myself so I best get it looked at.
oh well, good to find all these things out now so I can get her sorted over winter!!
I'm already excited about next summer!! lol

one of my choke rods where actually stuck on mine.. i had to hammer it out and clean it and reinstall for the choke to work properly...and now it fires up instantly.

Yep ive also had the choke rod stick on me was a tiny amount but what a ball ache ... I spent two days thinking it was a air leak causing high idle lol...