Yesterday started the 99 after being left for some time but had to kick the bike for what seemed like hours till exhausted. In fact left for a while between efforts for my leg to recover. Battery fully charged and distributor ignition. Eventually started (rested over night) following a 'cough' which gave me hope and then first time every time ticking over excellently. Strangely the bike had just been left and its attempt to start was a first kick after the over night rest. Wondering if carb blocked in some way preventing fuel getting through and eventually my kicking 'dragged' petrol through maybe clearing this blockage. Remember using Reddex years ago as a claimed fuel system cleaner and was going to put through to save taking carb apart. Did look for old post using site search facility on this but can find no evidenced of use on site unless I missed it. Wondering if anyone had any thoughts as want to avoid any potential damage. Fuel is premium unleaded with the Castrol lead additive. As usual any advice appreciated for someone has a great deal to learn. Hugh
As old fuel dries out it can…
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I add thinners to replace…
I add thinners to replace the volatile elements, which disappear out the cap breather over long periods, shake and leave for 5 mins before opening the tap after long layoffs.
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I've always found super…
I've always found super unleaded leaved dirty brown stains whereas the ordinary stuff does not, so I try not to leave superunleaded unused. My bikes don't seem to care what I use - although I stick to the big brands and never use supermarkets. The car is definitely more flexible on superunleaded.
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Dommie 99 starting
Firstly thanks for the above. Had another go today and fewer kicks but still a while to get going. i guess its Robert's point about the float being gummed up as it takes a fair while for any fuel to flow out the back of the carb 'on the tickle'. I guess my constant kicking is pulling it through eventually. When it reaches this stage it starts fairly quickly and then first time every time. I normally (or used to) flood it first when it flowed more quickly and then leave choke off. When first acquired the tank liner was coming away so steamed it off the inside of the tank with a wall paper stripper steam pipe inserted to really heat it up and it came away in huge flakes. Worked wonders for anyone with a similar problem. It may be that left something in tank despite best efforts which has now made it to carb but when its running no problem. Its a real joy to drive. Maybe will have to bite the bullet and take carb and tank off and re-clean. Never a dull moment with a 99. Did try a short spray of WD40 just now which have seen on sites and may try some reddex additive. Yesterday forgot to mention bluish smoke coming out of back of carb which never seen before so maybe burning something off as ran it for sometime just on my drive. Cheers and hopefully we can all enjoy the summer. Hugh
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For a while my 99 could be…
For a while my 99 could be expected to fire up with a feeble half kick when warm. But since I tried to " improve " it , no more. How do you improve perfection?, leave it alone Tank liner residue can be expected to ruin spark plugs so keep a spare set on the bike.
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As old fuel dries out it can leave a sticky residue that inhibits the float action, even tickling some fuel thro from the tank will not make it spring into life as the volatile elements of the fuel may have long gone. I live on a hill so regularly bump start in 3rd and am surprised how long it can take to fire up and want to pull. I try very hard to not store bikes with EO5 fuel ,and always cover cap breather holes with tape. This may be considered unsafe by some as wide temperature changes or moving the bike can pressurise a tank.