25 Degrees and no start? Started Today at 50 Degrees !!!

I just joined this site tonight, and this is my first post.

I must say, this is one helpfull forum !!!

Thank You to all involved !!!

I bought a 1985 Maxim 700 (XJ700) Sunday. I drove it home from 60 miles away. Runs Great.

I cleaned the carbs Monday and all seems normal.

Started and ran good yesterday, today is 25 degrees, today no start.


I had a 1983 Maxim 750 about 5 years ago, and that was the same way, cold blooded.

Are these bikes that cold blooded?


Update:

Warmed up to 50 degrees today. When I came home from work, I tried it again. Started with choke, ran a few, then ran normal.

Took it for a ride and put some gas on it.

Now I`m happy again !!!

 

Re: 25 Degrees and no start?

my bike is the same way. i have an 82 xj550 that ive cleaned the carbs lots of times. the only thing that helped is re-adjusting the enrichment screw according to the color of your spark plugs. if they are black its rich, white is lean. anything under/around 35* i end up push starting it and it always starts first push but you can sit there cranking and cranking with not even a puff.... hope that helps

 

Re: 25 Degrees and no start?

These bikes are tuned lean for the most part from the factory. Yes, they are cold blooded and need to be choked (use the enrichment curcuit) to start them when cold.
I keep mine on a float charger during cold weather so it cranks over better in cold temps. Some have been knowned to use starting fluid to start their bike, but I don't make it a habit of using it on any gas engine. It washes the cylinder walls (cleans the film of oil off) and causes long term damage to the walls in time.
If the carbs are cleaned properly, (good clean enrichment curcuit, no air leaks in the boots, etc.) use full choke and it should start.