It will sart with no choke and I bump the choke on. It will pull start with the choke on. Runs exceptionally, but will not electric start with choke on. If floods if I start with choke on.

Idles fine, runs fine through all bands
Fuel mixture screw 1/4 past recommended
spark plug shows slight rich mixture (What I want for cold weather, may run a hotter plug in the winter)
Valves adjusted
air filter clean
Carb cleaned in August
Float and needle clip at factory recommendation




What am I missing?

 

Hows the battery? Been load tested lately?
If the battery is getting old and low, itll still spin the motor with the electric starter, but theres not much left for the cdi. Using the rope pull, allows the cdi to have full voltage.
Is this a real choke...or an enrichener?

 

Good Idea HB. The battery was cleaned and topped off a couple months ago and kept on a maintainer, but that does not mean it isn't beat after 2+ years. Not cranking all that hard in cold weather. I did not know the CDI draw mattered at start, thank you. I will jump it off another battery and see how she does, as well as test or buy a better battery. Enrichener.

 

If the battery load tests ok, then suspect the starter brushes as being worn out. That will cause too much draw, too.

 

You got me curious, so I went home at lunch and jumped it off a lawn tractor battery, and it started right away on full choke. Took the jumpers off and it would crank, but not start. I will test the battery on my friend's load tester tonight. I had the starter apart a month ago, and it looks good.

*One last question from the electronically impaired. If I were to change from a YB 12 CA to a YTX14 AH battery I pick up about 60 CCA, it is maintenance free, and it fits. Is there anything else I should know about? ie charge rate, or is it OK to do. My daughter can't pull start it, and I want to make sure she doesn't get stranded somewhere.
Thank you for your help

 

no it will be fine to do it. I will be going up in size on my wolvy from what it currently has up to a harley battery designed to crank over the big vtwin.

 

Cool! I have always been willing to tear motors and transmissions apart, but have never fully understood the "science" behind the electrical systems. I am limited to replacing parts, and was worried I would do some harm with a battery other than spec.

Thanks