Trouble starting!, unless I...

Bought my bike a few weeks ago from a shop in the city.

1980 Maxim 650

Bike started perfectly in the shop..

Took it home and now when i try and start it...

I hit the electric start, it come to life for a second BUT if i dont hit the throttle at the perfect moment and give it lots of gas, then it dies straight away and ive missed my chance...
I can keep trying over and over a few times but it just wont start. Only thing that works is letting it sit for 20+ minutes and itl give me another chance.
Once the bike is warmed up, it works beautifully, starts no problem.

Any ideas?

 

Are you using the "fuel-enrichment" circuit lever? (Similar to a choke but works a little differently. It's locate by the left side hand controls). Especially when it's still cold outside I have to have mine pretty much wide open to get it started, then gradually close it as the RPMs start to increase.

Also, if the bike has sat for awhile (even just a couple days), it helps to set the petcock to PRI for 15-20 seconds to make sure the bowls are full, then switch back to RUN before starting.

 

I am using the "choke" lever, I leave it open to start but i still need to hit the throttle very hard for it to start. Then I can let it idle with the lever ON and slowly close it..

I don't have PRI setting on my petcock...only ON, OFF and RES

Also I have a tach cable leak, I've ordered new seals, should be here soon.

 

That could be carb related. You can try using seafoam to clear out any mildly clogged passageways in the carb bowls or bodies. With the tank down to reserve, pour in a half can of seafoam. Get the bike running and ride her around the block, maybe 5-10 minutes. Park her overnight, then fill her up and ride the full tank through the bike.

Make sure to run the bike with the enrichment circuit (choke) on some to get seafoam into those passages. Make sure you also run with the enrichment on after you fill up again to clean out any varnish that the seafoam dissolved.

You may get some blue smoke on that first tank after doing the seafoam cleanse, this is normal as that is all the varnish and fuel gunk built up passing through the engine and out of the exhaust. No, it will not damage your bike.

Good luck. If that doesn't work a carb rebuild or thorough cleaning may be in order as well as tuning and a sync.

Good luck.

 

Thanks! Il try that and let you guys know how it goes!