Hard starting

Hello all,
OK, so my 82 maxim 550 refuses to start easily. Even today after a 140 mile ride I had to play with the choke and twist the throttle to get her to fire. The battery I got new in april, so I doubt thats the problem. However, I think I need a new regulator...not really sure if thats related to my woes or not. I did clean the carbs myself so I originally had them pegged as the culprit (enrichment circuit not cleaned properly), but after its warm it should fire with no choke (or throttle twist) correct? Could it maybe be the plugs/wires?
I have no idea. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Thanks
P.S.-Anyone know what a 550 tops out at...I had her screaming down the road :wink:

 

Well, its about 80 out today and after sitting for 2 hours or so it fired right up with no choke and just a touch of throttle. Maybe shes just moody

 

I have a bike that started in such and such a way for months. Then something changed and now I have to work it differently for it to start. I guess after you have checked everything, we simply have to experiment and find the way she likes to be started...

 

Hard starting when the engine is warm is usually from the carbs running lean at idle. Try opening the idle mixture another 1/4 turn. If possible check with a color tune setup. Your bike should start when warm with little or no throttle opening.

 

Thanks mlew, I'll give that a shot. By the way where can one get a color-tune set up? It sounds pretty nice to have handy.

 

You can get a color tune from chacal here on this forum at, Sell, Trade, Swap, Wanted. Here's a link to his parts for sale. It's a long list but, really, it's there.
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=2 ... t=192.html

Cheers
Ken