ok, my p650 has always been hard to start since day one (more so in the winter) it has always popped and sputered through the airbox. i finally checked the plugs on it this past weekend and they are black (the rear is blacker than the front) this means i am rich right? if i am rich then why is it so hard to start? [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img] i bought some new plugs and i will put them in this weekend to see if it helps any. Also to test my plugs i ran the engine at 1/4 - 1/2 throttle for 8-10min then checked them, is this the proper way to check plugs?

p.s what kind of synthetic oil are you guys useing, i switched to synthetic this weekend and got the kawachem 10w40 synthetic stuff anybody use it? thanks for all the help ahead of time

 

anyone???

 

nightryder,
<<ok, my p650 has always been hard to start since day one (more so in the winter) it has always popped and sputered through the airbox. i finally checked the plugs on it this past weekend and they are black (the rear is blacker than the front) this means i am rich right? >>

yep, or a choke cable sticking...or dirty air filter...

<<if i am rich then why is it so hard to start?>>

mine always requires some throttle (a little to start, ) if valve adjust is off, it makes it harder to start, a dirty filter will make one run rich as well..

<< i bought some new plugs and i will put them in this weekend to see if it helps any. Also to test my plugs i ran the engine at 1/4 - 1/2 throttle for 8-10min then checked them, is this the proper way to check plugs?>>

well you can check that they are firing that way, but a plug read relates to jetting, if you do it like you did it will give you the lower end of the range, instead of checking the main jet at high rpms, I put a new plug in my bikes and run it wide open, (note, it is throttle position, not necessarily rpm) that is important here) and then kill the eng, and pull in clutch on my street bikes, then do a plug read, it will tell you how you are doing on the main jet...

<<p.s what kind of synthetic oil are you guys useing, i switched to synthetic this weekend and got the kawachem 10w40 synthetic stuff anybody use it? thanks for all the help ahead of time>>

same as what I run in my v star, royal star, mobil 15-50 red cap auto oil about 4.25 a qt.. it doesent have the friction modifiers in it, and the street bikes like it..