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spring season.what is the best way to start the kdx?
Posted: 12:32 pm Mar 20 2005
by kdxquebec
I use to have difficulties (up to 50-100 kicks) to start my bike every spring.I install 2-3 plugs in the process.The bike stay in the shed for 4-5 months.Temperature vary a lot during this time. in the summer the bike start usally within 4 kicks.
when it is time to winterize, I put oil in the cylinder,then few kiks.maybe 1-2 tablespoon of oil and put sta-bil in the gas.
I dont really want to live this situation this year.What is the best procedure to fire the sleeping beast.
again ,thanks phil.
Posted: 01:28 pm Mar 20 2005
by KDXGarage
50 - 100?! Do you think the fuel that is already in the float bowl breaks down? If so, you may want to drain the float bowl. You may want to try to crank it with the fuel petcock (switch) left off. That way you can use up whatever is already in the carb and the oil that has drained to the bottom of the crankcases in the crankshaft area.
if it is taking you 4 kicks in the summer, then something may be wrong. It usually takes me .5 - 2 kicks. After it is warm, it is usually 1/2 kick (a light kick).
Posted: 01:32 pm Mar 20 2005
by Indawoods
With that many kicks... call a friend, buy a 12 pack and have him help you bump start it. She'll fire up alot easier than killing yourself kicking it.
Posted: 03:14 pm Mar 20 2005
by kdxquebec
oh! i just understand why my right leg is bigger!

i will drain the bowl.thanks
Posted: 03:19 pm Mar 20 2005
by KDXGarage
Sit backwards and use your left leg to kick this year to equalize your left and right legs.
I was thinking that if you put the stabilizer in after you turn the fuel switch off that the fuel in the bottom of the bowl will not have it.
Any chance you could just drain the fuel tank at the end of the riding season? You could start with fresh gas at the start of the season.
Posted: 03:36 pm Mar 20 2005
by kdxquebec
i will do that also.
Posted: 03:40 pm Mar 20 2005
by KDXGarage
When you are kicking it 50 - 100 times, is that with any fresh fuel mixed in, or just the old fuel with the stabilizer?
Posted: 04:54 pm Mar 20 2005
by kdxquebec
20% old and 80% new. but i did not flushed the bowl. next time i will flush all the old gas.
anyway my kdx is always hard to start in colder temps 0-10 celcious.
Posted: 07:07 pm Mar 20 2005
by John Cena
Id drain the bowl and see if its stuck.
Posted: 08:17 pm Mar 20 2005
by Mr. Wibbens
Take carby off
take apart and remove nonmetal parts
soak in Berrymans
rinse
dry
put back together
should not take more then a 3-5 kicks to fire
My CT90 and Harley X90 usually fire on the first kick after doing the Berryman's Soak
Posted: 11:38 am Mar 21 2005
by farmerj
I don't get it. I have a similar problem. My bike starts first or second kick - except after it has sat for 2-3 weeks. Then it is 40-50 kicks to get the thing bangin'. I'd guess old fuel, except it doesn't seem like it should break down in that amount of time...but I guess that's where I'll start...
Jeff
Posted: 11:57 am Mar 21 2005
by skipro3
I use seafoam instead of berryman's. Anyone else try that stuff? I mix a bit with the gas on my touring bike and she fires right up after sitting for several weeks.
Posted: 05:35 pm Mar 21 2005
by Lutz
A tip for starting in general...
I learned this from a friend of mine. If the bike has been sitting for any period of time, tip the bike pretty far to the side and hold it there until fuel runs into the float bowl overflow line. This way, you'll know the carb is full of fuel, and make as few unnecessary kicks as possible.
I can't guarantee that this will help, but it sure seems to make a difference for me.
Posted: 06:13 pm Mar 21 2005
by skipro3
Good tip Lutz. It should also flush the bowl with fresh fuel too.
Posted: 01:53 pm Mar 22 2005
by fuzzy
^ Beat me to it...
Posted: 02:46 pm Apr 03 2005
by kdxquebec
I flushed the bowl and the tank today then I put some fresh premix in there.After 2 kicks the kdx made noise

. thanks for all your inputs.I am a 4 year old dirtbiker so i have to learn a lot

Posted: 03:30 pm Apr 03 2005
by KDXGarage
kdxquebec wrote:I flushed the bowl and the tank today then I put some fresh premix in there.
I don't know if it will fit in the lid or not, but you might be able to get one of those blue hockey puck cakes to keep your bowl and tank clean.
But seriously, I am glad to hear you got it started! Thanks for letting us know about how effective the draining worked.

Posted: 03:40 pm Apr 03 2005
by kdxquebec
haaaaaa!

thanks for the 2000 flushes tip! funny!
Posted: 10:17 am Apr 04 2005
by Jerry
We ride all year here in Memphis, but I do have a KX 500 that gets ridden only about twice a year. When I put it up I add stabilizer to the gas and let it run so to get it into the carb. I then turn the gas off and let it run until it dies, I then drain the tank and put the bike up. When we get ready to ride it again we put fresh premix in it, lean it over to the right side until it over flows, push the kill switch and kick it over about three times. Most of the time it will start the frist kick after letting the kill switch go, no more than twice! This has worked for me for over three years now. If my premix gets over a month old I burn it in my truck and buy fresh, the Klotz really smells good from my truck! Jerry