i have a 04 z 400 it is extreamly hard to start sometimes takeing up to 5 minutes does anybody no y or what can fix it?

 

Check the intake valve clearance. This is usually the first sign that its too tight, and the motor is losing compression, which makes it hard to start when cold.

 

Yep or you can also check your sparkplug and rejet since its alsmot winter and you need to jet higher

 

Jetting for seasons now?

I think people are getting jet-happy these days... unless you are on a track racing for money I can't see all this re-jetting.

 

5-min sounds excessive.... is that the actual time or are you estimating?

The z400 is very warm blooded to start with, and it does not like to start when cold. 30-seconds to 1-minute in extreme cold is not totally unheard of.

5-min and I would agree with the others that your valves probably need to be tweaked....

 

i'd go with valves too, then check fuel supply. before I changed my carb if the bike set for a long time I would turn the petcock to prime and wait 10/15 sec. and then choke it to start it , and is it hard to start only when its cold or after its been rode awhile

 

the bike bike rides fine on choke with no sputters or any thing could my chock be bad

 

Nope, youre running it lean. Did it get rejetted after the kn filter and slip on were installed?
Pulling the choke on, just richens the mixture up.