tips for starting

[Ade700]

Hi are the any tips for starting, if I try and start from cold it takes me about 20 times to get it started, is this normal? If not any tips I can try

[johnnyXS]

Hi Ade ....most owners find their scooters start second kick even after leaving it for several weeks.

A common mistake when starting scooters bikes or cars for that matter is to give it a little throttle to help it start .
Its essential that you do not touch the throttle at all during starting otherwise you will be preventing the cold start mechanism from operating and will almost certainly flood the engine.

If your scoot doesn't start with 2-3 kicks with the choke on and the throttle closed then there is something wrong with the fuel or timing /ignition system somewhere and we can help you troubleshoot the problem and get it sorted with a little more information about your scoot like when it was last run regularly and what work you have done to it since aquiring it like cleaning out the carburettor and fuel tank filter and adjusting the timing and points etc

[Ade700]

Thank you, it had been stood since 2001 but it was started for the last time in 2008, it's had clean fuel added and I've had electronic ignition fitted,once it's started its starts first kick everytime it's just when it's been left overnight that I have a problem

[Wack]

Next time you start it turn the petrol off until the engine cuts out, then leave it overnight. The next day choke and petrol on , no throttle and try to start. If it fires up easier then you probably have a float or needle issue.

[johnnyXS]

have you checked the advance curve with a stobe ?
If you haven't thoroughly cleaned the carb and jets thoroughly you will definitely need to do so to remove ethanol residues. Some of the jets have holes that are less than 1mm in diameter !
Make sure that you have set the idle, choke and air screw settings correctly or it will always be difficult to start . Its a critical mixture . If your throttle/slide idle setting is too high or too low it will prevent your cold start working as the engine will be getting too much or too little air and or fuel .

Given the uncertain history of the scooter I would recommend that you go through everything cleaning electrical connectors and re-magnetizing the flywheel , new spark plug etc .Replace the HT lead and cap etc

Reliable starting and running is a product of lots of little things all working efficiently together .

To give you an idea ...my 1964 lis150 starts on the second kick every time no matter what the weather , temperature or how long its been left ...even 6 x months over the Winter ! yet as far as I can tell its still on its original 51 year old clapped out engine

[EddieStone]

when I first had my Li many years ago it was a dreadful starter. Usually had to resort to push starting the thing most of the time.

Then I got the flywheel remagnetized and the difference was amazing. It would start first time, every time even with the bike on it's stand. Choke out, kick the starter down and off it would go. best tenner I ever spent!

[michaeltv2000]

to check that your choke is adjusted corrected, try covering the carb mouth with your hand as you or someone else kicks it over.
If it starts then you know it is the choke not adjusted properly.