TOPIC:

I've just got my thing back together and it seems to be a bit of a troublesome starter.
What are the "tips & tricks" to getting these bikes up and going?
I do notice it also runs like a bit of a pig until it gets warm and the Temp gauge gets near half way.
Please let me know your techniques??

KEL,

Good starting is mainly down to carb settings, assuming you have good plugs & coils, compression etc.

You need a Colortune Plug to get your mixture settings spot on, then 3 x Vacuum Gauges to balance your carbs.

Again assuming your carbs & choke nozzles are all good, that should sort out your starting.

Pete F
UK

They are very fussy to start if all is not right. Whenever mine gets a bit hard to start it's time to give it some TLC.

For myself it all FINALLY came down to the Fast idle adjustment. It was flooding during start-up because the choke plungers were lifting too soon relative to the high-idle cam "cracking" the throttle plates. Add to this random equation, air temp., Humidity, bike temp., battery condition, and the myriad of other quirks that require refinement and you can appreciate this took a number of gradual adjustments and some "1300 patience". I agree with "Strate6". I tune mine however by EGT/ header temp. using an infrared temp. gun. What made this final adjustment far easier was the addition of a small "thumb-wheel" on the fast-idle adjustment screw-head. Trying to adjust this mechanism with the stock screw was nothing short of obnoxious. I started with the recommended .54/.55mm gap but saw this change slightly to get the starting characteristics acceptable. This has payed-off huge but none-the-less requires everything else must be in correct working order and adjustment.

I found a good battery to be key. I replaced mine with a gel battery. It seemed to have a little more juice and spun the motor faster when starting.

The Battery is essential (however besides what the others have already pointed out) - I am quite satisfied with the Hawker Odissey ...

regardZ

Holger