Hi! Need some info and help. I'm new to motorcycling. bought my first, a Vulcan 200 LTD, 2002, 2500 miles. Looks great. Will not start. Previous owner claims, "it doesn't like the cold." Neither do I but I start! I've choked it to the max...nothing. When it was delivered, it fired up for about 10 seconds then died.. I've garaged overnight and it should get into the 50s today so I'm going to warm it up and see what happens. No manual with it either...any ideas? Any good websites to get info/manual in pdf form?

Well, after basking in the sun it still wouldn't start. Any help welcome. I also posted this in the Vulcan 500 forum, but being new to this forum I discovered this "general tech" section after....I'll learn.

Thanks,
Ed

 

Look at your vacuum line going up to the fuel tank petcock valve. If it's leaking, very little (if any) fuel will be able to flow. It doesn't take much of a vacuum leak to get a no start, so you may want to just spend .49 cents and replace it.

This is only one possibility of course. If you're rolling on the throttle while starting, you may also be flooding the engine.

My old KZ750 is a hard starter in the cold. Otherwise, it always starts like a champ!

I'm sure you'll figure it out. let us know how it goes.

-Mark

 

Ya, you could be flooding it out it's easy to do (I can't even tell you how many Times I've done it). Every bike has it's own choke setting it will like to start at. My SV like about a quarter choke, and my CB doesn't like any. Just remember not to lay on the starter for more that a few seconds at a time. Hell, I just remembered my old VFR needed starting fluid to run when it was below 70 (I do not recommend this I was 16, and on drugs).

 

How long did it sit in this guys garage? I'm wondering if the gas is old and gummed up in your carb. If so, you will have to get that cleaned out.

 

Thanks. I'll try that. I do smell gas after cranking a while, but don't 'see' any gas/fluid. I'll keep you posted. If I can't get it started, the fella that sold it to me has offered to return my cash and take the bike...stand up guy he is! But, I don't want to loose it...great looking for a 2002, low mileage and great price...also, used ones are hard to find around here...Clifton, VA. Thanks, and I sure will keep you posted..no pun intended.

Ed

 

Yeah, I think I've done that more than once...the previous owner said to pull the choke out all the way...I did that, than 1/2 than no choke, every combo. He did say there was Sta-Bil in the gas. I gues that should keep it from gumming up the works. Also, I had the impression it's been sitting a LONG time in his garage, although he claimed it was running last week. Oh, well. Can't get it to a dealer, maybe a mechanic can come out to the house...do they do house calls? :-)

 

Drain the gas. Gas is only stable for about thirty days. Fuel stabilizer will keep it from separating, but will gum stuff up I see it all the time.

 

Folks, gave up and took it to a dealer. I'll let you know what they determined. thanks.

ed

 

hahaha, thanks eobloy, I had to start up my machines again.