i was wondering if i could get some help here, I just recently bought a 02 ds650 (love the bike), the problem is , that is one hard bike to start cold, I basically have to hook up the battery charger before i put the key in, cause i know im gonnia kill the batt. trying to start it, I was told to rebuild the carb but i just wanna check with someone that knows before i venture into the air box. Any advice or suggestions would be helpful

 

Mine can be difficult to start also..but I ;dont kill the batt. doing it..
I think if you search that subject you will find lots of info on it.
goodluck...mike

 

I wouldnt kill the batt trying to start the bike....if you are cranking it that long and its still not starting it isnt going to. Cranking the starter that long is just hard on it. Also...what are your mods? you may need to richen the bike up some. Is your choke out all the way? that last click can be a hard one to get...

 

i do make sure that the choke is all the way out, but the bike does start, and once it starts once, im good all day, its just that 1st initial start up

 

heres a trick i learned from my dad.....the super cold air leans out the mixture so you dont get enough fuel.....if you cover the intake holes and then try to start it, itll go every time..just let her warm up, put the filter back on and your off

 

thanks matt... so i should be able to just cover the breather hole (a rubber nipple on the bottom of the box) or should i phsically remove the air breather and cup the intake?

 

Have you checked your valve clearances lately?

 

When was the last time you had your valves adjusted? My bike did the exact same thing, and i checked the clearence on the valves and they needed to be adjusted, i almost guarentee thats your problem!!!

 

yea i had same problem motor would spin and spin till it was warm then crank..adjust your vales..mine was .008 out on the intake

 

Well i would have to say that your valves are off...as for putting you hand over the intake it def works because I have had to do that a few times also...In this case I wouldn't say that it's your carb, but it may need cleaning anyhow...just ride it and have fun...also I would recommend getting a battery tender and check your spark plugs.