I'm in the process of bringing my 84 Magna V65 back to life. In fact all is going fairly well. I'm having problems with my bike beening hard to start. With full choke, it still is hard to start. Once it is running, it idles good and runs good.
The carbs have been rebuilt and new spark plugs (NGK's). Does anyone have any suggestions?
How old is the battery? A weak battery will crank slower and put out a weaker spark. I bought a AGM battery from BatteriesPlus and it completely fixed my hot start problem I had on my 83 V65 Magna.
Hope it helps,
Antman
83 V65 Magna
84 V65 Magna
Thanks for the info but the battery is brand new. I'm beginning to think the problem maybe the spark units. The only problem with that is, you have to have 2 good spare units to try and see if that would fix the problem. Does anyone else have any suggestions?
Does the Magna start easily if it has been running immediately before trying to start it? Mine acts the same way if it has been allowed to set for a couple of weeks. I just figured it was angry for being neglected. :oops:
Thanks for the reply.
The bike is hard to start when cold and is hard to start when warm. Oh one more thing, I have new spark plug wires.
Hmmmm, I'm out of tricks. Just a couple of wild guesses, but might be worth a shot.
Could the ignition timing be off? A little too much retarded could make for a difficult start and very weak power.
Could you have chronic low compression evenly across all cylinders?
Could the fuel levels in all four bowls be so low the manifold vacuum pressure while cranking is insufficient to draw enough fuel to start?
Is it possible the choke is not really being engaged when you put it on?
None of thee are likely, I know, but remember these are really wild guesses. Maybe my hairbrained suggestions will trigger some of the gurus to find the real answer.
when you say the carbs were rejetted? did you put them back together yourself or did the shop do it?
maybe something isn't right with the carbs....
I remember my friend's bike in college sounded mean b/c it would idle at 6000 RPM! We thought it was the throttle was too tight but in reality, the carbs had been installed wrong, and it was leaking air into the carbs.
Went back to 1500 RPM when i fixed it.
My 85 v65 will not start with full choke. Try giving it half or 3/4 choke. My starts right up at about 1/2-3/4 choke every time (when cold). When warm or hot, no choke is needed at all. That's what works for me. :D
Thanks to all for your advice. Here is what I have so far. The compression is all within tolerance. My carbs were rebuilt by a friend of mine that knows more about motorcycle carbs than I do. The choke seems to operating fine.
I noticed that the fuel pump doesn't seem to be supplying fuel all of the time. I found this by installing a glass fuel filter up front between the carbs and the fuel pump. So, I replaced the fuel pump with a New 83 Honda Civic 1.3L pump. I had to make a jumper connector between the pump and the original bike connector but it works.
The bike fire up / started much faster. I tried it a few times and this seems to have correct my original problem.
Now my new problem. Before finishing for the night, I tried to start my bike one more time and this time it does not start at all. In fact it only back fires from the right side exhaust. I also get a smell of fuel, like the carbs are flooded.
This morning I pulled the spark plugs and the #4 cyl plug has an excessive amount of fuel on the plug and the #3 cyl plug had a small amount of fuel on the plug. The #1 and #2 plugs were dry and good.
I also noticed some fuel had leaked from around the #4 carb boots that connect the carbs to the cyl head. I found the clamps screws were not tight. I've retighted all 4 carbs boots and clean and regap the spark plugs. I'm gonna wait an hour or so and reinstall the plugs and see if she starts. If this doesn't work, I will pull the carbs and check the float operation on all carbs, expecially the #4 and #3. I will let you know what hapens. In the mean time, keep the suggestions coming.
Check your engine oil level...Sounds like your new honda civic fuel pump has to much fuel pressure and forced fuel thru your carbs needle/seats..especially 3 & 4...You may try putting a switch on your fuel pump. Turn it in a 2to5 seconds then shut it off and start your bike..after it starts and you run it a while turn your fuel switch off before you kill the engine..This should prevent the pressure from flooding fuel thru your carbs and possibly getting fuel in your engine crankcase...It would be best to get a stock fuel pump to replace your old one if possible....that's my 2-cents...God Luck...
I agree with Cap. the Civic is pushing way too hard against the float needle.
There is a filter in the bottom of the fuel pump. I bet it is clogged.
Greg and I have been fighting a fuel problem with my V-65 for a couple of years. Sometimes it gets plenty of fuel and sometimes it starves out at about 7K. We have eliminated everything but the filter in the bottom of the pump.
Here's an update! I replaced the civic fuel pump with another OEM pump. I'm still having the same problem.
Here's my problem again, I started with a hard starting problem now my bike floods out and will not restart.
To restart the bike, I have to pull the spark plugs and clean and dry them out and drain all 4 carb bowels. It will restart from this point and idle smoothly until I shut it off. Once off, it will not restart.
My frustration level is high!
Any new suggestions? I think I may have to pull the carbs again but I don't know what could be causing this too much fuel issue. Could a bad fuel pump relay cause the pump to continuesly pump fuel when it should be shutting the pump off? Could a bad pulse generator be the problem? I've changed the spark units (igniter's) and still have the problem. HELP!
It won't be what you want to hear...You are going to have to pull the carbs. again in my opinion..Needle and seats are not seating and flooding..This to me says your fuel system has trash in it somewhere or the needles/seats just need replacing...I don't know if you drained your tank and clean the cockpit valve but trash seems to gather there on older bikes and mess up a good clean carb. job..(yes I've been there done that)...When ever possible I always add an inline fuel filter for extra protection...I prefer the clear type fuel filter so you can see the fuel and or trash...That's my 2-cents any way...Good luck and keep at it...It is very gratifying when you get it right....Capt.H
Needle and seats would be a very good place to start.
float valves???
Thanks guys for the info and words of encouragement.
I will pull the carbs tomorrow and keep you guys updated on my progress.
Take it from somebody who has restored a few dozen V65's over the past couple of years, have your carbs rebuilt by a PRO! The best in the business is a guy in Canton, Tx........he's regular on the Honda V4 forum and even has his own little forum there. I promise you, once Billy goes through your carbs, it's a slap on and go proposition, and they will look like NEW, he sonic cleans them, replaces everything that needs replaced, provides new allen head stainless screws for everything, gives you new coolant tube O-rings (best to do them when the carbs are off), and also throws in a new fuel filter! All this for right around 200 bucks! Turn around time is just a couple of weeks, give him a hollar, he provides great phone support too!!!
Billy Carr
20706 State Highway 19
Canton, TX 75103
903-567-1543
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/83GS1100E_Tornado/carb1.jpg)
(http://i121.photobucket.com/albums/o236/83GS1100E_Tornado/carb2.jpg)
QuoteHere's an update! I replaced the civic fuel pump with another OEM pump. I'm still having the same problem.
Here's my problem again, I started with a hard starting problem now my bike floods out and will not restart.
To restart the bike, I have to pull the spark plugs and clean and dry them out and drain all 4 carb bowels. It will restart from this point and idle smoothly until I shut it off. Once off, it will not restart.
My frustration level is high!
too much fuel pressure with the new fuel pump? The float needle valves can only stop a certain amount of pressure.