Hard to start when cold...thoughts?

[rrover454]

Hello all,

This is my first post on here, but not so new to Monsters.  I used to be on the other board and am glad I found this one.

Anyway, lately (past couple months) my '03 620ie with just under 6000mi has been difficult to start when cold.  it takes many tries to finally get it to hold idle.  Touching the throttle in the first 30sec or so will cause it to die.  RPMs start low with dim tail light flickering, etc, then they climb and things smooth out.  Once it is is warm, however, it starts right up on the first crank with no problem, up to an hour or two after it has been run.

This did not used to be the case.  I imagine it has something to do with me not running it too often (sometimes go a couple weeks, and sometimes I'm able to ride it a couple times a week).  I usually put the battery on a tender when I know I'm going to be away from it for a while (the battery is about 2 yrs old), but I recently neglected to do this and it went dead.  Charged it up and was able to start the bike with the same symptoms as above.

My question is, what should I be looking at to move towards solving this problem.  I can always get the bike started, but have to try like an idiot 15-20 times first.  Plugs don't look too bad, fuel filter was replaced (along with other 6000mi maintenance) in Jan 07.  Could the battery be causing this issue?  Any thoughts/ideas are welcome!  I want to get back on the Duc more often, and this will be a start.

[Howie]

Since the bike cranks and starts you can rule out the battery.  I assume you are using the fast idle lever?  You might try new plugs since you can do it yourself and it can't hurt.  If the problem still exists the next step would be to check the temperature sensor, easiest done with a scan tool.

[rrover454]

I might pick up some plugs today.  I actually installed a new temp sensor about a year ago.  Thanks for the help.  Will keep trying.

[rrover454]

fixed the problem!  there was too much slack in the cable for the cold start lever.  The adjuster screw was loose.  Tightened it up a bit and she now starts and holds idle on the first try   Now my cage is broken...it never ends 

[Howie]

So, I guess that means you thought you were using the fast idle lever.  Good to hear you solved the problem

[rrover454]

you are correct, sir! 

[rrover454]

the thing is though, I don't remember really having to use the cold start lever back when the bike was new and the couple of years following, especially in hot summer weather.  Is this normal or perhaps a symptom of something else?

[A.duc.H.duc.]

the thing is though, I don't remember really having to use the cold start lever back when the bike was new and the couple of years following, especially in hot summer weather.  Is this normal or perhaps a symptom of something else?

run some fuel injector cleaner though it.

Justin

[VeryMetal]

As bikes age different components wear in at different rates. Sometimes they require more work to start etc as they get older, however a bike that's running well should start up easily.

You should probably always use the cold start lever, just until you get a temp reading. Probably riding the bike more will help, get some new plugs in there at least and get it out and ride it hard, it'll thank you for it haha. Glad to hear you got the problem fixed, it's not uncommon at all to have to use the idle lever, nothing to worry about.

[herm]

not sure if this is helpful.....but heres my .02
i always had to use the cold start lever with my first monster (an 03 620ie)
didnt matter what kind of day it was, or how long i since i had started it last.

[rrover454]

That's comforting.  Thanks for your input, all.