Cant get it started....

[nick]

I bought a Hornet 600 about a year ago with the intention to use it as a commuter and leave the bike of the time, Triumph Daytona, in the garage and keep the miles off of it... As it happens I didnt enjoy the ride of the bike - had never ridden a naked bike before and this was an expensive was of working out i didnt like it day to day - so it has sat in the garage for the last 6 months since I have had the TA...

Time has come for it to go as im moving house... I have replaced the battery as it wasnt holding its charge and drained the carbs but it wont start... turns over and there is fuel getting to the carbs but it is not firing... I am going to check the plugs later this morning as it was a bit cold the other day after fitting the battery and i didnt fancy taking the tank off on the driveway in failing light but if that doesnt sort it what else could be the issue.........

Thanks in anticipation......

[StumpyFingers]

Are you using the Choke?
If so open it and open the throttle fully and turn it over.
Does it sound like it is trying to fire?
If not check the Kill switch.
If all else fails take it to the local scrote, I am sure he will be able to get it started for you.

[nick]

Have been using the choke and had the throttle half open so will open it up and have a go... Kill switch is correct....

And as for the scrote(s)... One lives in Surrey!!! (but close enough to Feltham for one never to be too far away !!)

[StumpyFingers]

Do not use the choke and open the throttle to allow it to breath.

[nick]

will try that this morning... ta

[piguglyshandydrinker]

Do not use the choke and open the throttle to allow it to breath.

Many Honda's won't fire with any throttle & choke.

Phil

[StumpyFingers]

Many Honda's won't fire with any throttle & choke.

Phil

I was Thinking more of trying to clear a possible flooded engine.

[davsato]

locate the float bowl drain tube, crack the screw open till fuel drips out and give it a 4/5 second blast of carb cleaner. close the screw again obviously. do this for each carb.
as soon as possible after doing this try starting. carb cleaner is a fine solvent in a propellant, usually propane. not only will this give your fuel system a quick clean but it also fires off much easier than petrol, especially old petrol.
as long as there is enough juice in the battery the bike should start up fine. i do this for my XT which is a bitch to start but it always works. six months is no problem but it might be for the battery.

[Austin]

replace the petrol, it can go sort of stale after a long period.

[nick]

Thanks for all the above advice... It is alive again but might have found the problem that has plagued the bike since i bought it...

Does it make sense to anyone that if the breather in the fuel cap is ineffective it will cause a vacuum in the tank and as such not draw fuel out of it? I had this problem last year when in Wales where it would cut out if there was less than half a tank of juice....

Any suggestions more than welcome....