my 89 lt500r runs perfect once it is started. It will start perfect once it has warmed up. But it will not start at all cold, no matter what unless it is towed for about 15 ft. it used to fire up for me on the third kick every time no matter what however all of a sudden it won't fire up unless i tow and then i am fine to ride for the rest of the day. help please

 

What do you mean, it has to be dragged for about 15 miles, are you pulling it while it's in gear? If so, are you saying it won't start even while it's being pulled? Can you give us more info like, did you buy the machine new, did you hit water with a hot engine. Anything you can think of when this first occurred. Hope this helps.
ecorman1, Suzuki KQ, GPS & lunch...

 

You know what they say if you cant start the bike you shouldnt be riding it. Only kidding. My friend had a cr500 and i couldnt kick start it. What kind of work is done to the bike pipe/port work/ compression of motor. Also what is the jet size of the carb. I had this problem when jetting a banshee w/tommies it had a 300 jet from the dealer which was too big and i had a hard time starting the bike. If i take the air box lid off it fires right up. Maybe your jet is too big.

 

no i only have to have it pulled in gear for about 15 feet and then it finally fires up and runs fine. I bought it used, hardly though,it was my uncles and has really just collected dust for the last 7 yrs he probably only rode it once a year. i have owned it for about 2 yrs now and it was a sudden thing. When I first got it it would start by the third kick every time over the winter i stored it inside my garage and would periodically go out and start it and let it run for a little bit. About the middle of last summer i went out to start it and she just wouldn't fire up. i had it taken in to the shop to see what was wrong the did a compression test said it was fine and said the cleaned out the carburator and it started once again by the third kick only this time the choke had to be on. that worked only for about 4 more rides ad then i was back to where i started once more. Not starting the very first time without being towed. The fuel oil ratio i run is 40-1 in it. From time to time when noone is available for a tow I have heated the engine via a kerosene heater blowing on the engine and when it had thoroughly warmed up the jug it again would start just fine. Hopefully with this description it will add enough information to be able to possibly help me with this problem. No engine work has been done it is all stock. thankyou in advance for your help

 

It sounds like your jets are gummed up on the carb. When you leave a bike sit for a long period the gas turns in a varnish and clogs the jets. Take the carb apart and remove the small pilot jet and the large main jet also remove the choke and clean in there. Get a can of carb and choke cleaner and spray all around. And get a small pin to clean the jets. You can also try letting the carb sit in new gas. Gas will go bad over time hope this helps

 

Try turning the choke off and giving it a little gas. if it wont start then play with the ckoke and amount of gass you give it.

 

lt550r, So how's it going? Did you try any of those things the other helpful ATVers gave you on this post? I'm not yet sure what it could be but they gave you some good ideas to try. Keep talkin', we're listenin'...
Chuck,Suzuki 300,GPS & lunch...

 

well i think i am giving up and gonna take it in it seems no matter what try i have no success on that first start. i still have to replace the reeds but i think i am gonna have it in just to be safe. thanks to one and all for the help and ideas. please don't hesitate to give any others if any come to u. thanks again