If I had to do it all over again, I would have gone with the Mikuni TM36 carb and been done with it. You can use both cables with no problem and it fits.

 

We've beaten this dead horse for years...

Having said that, mine wouldn't start at the dealer when I bought it. It was about 20 degrees fahrenheit outside so I didn't worry too much. I brought it home and put it in a heated room for about three months (bought it in January but didn't take it out to ride it until March). The first time I tried starting it, I didn't have much problem because it had just been removed from a 70 degree room.

Later... I had the same problem as you when the temps dropped below about 45 degrees.

My solution... I would push the starter in with the choke still IN. Then, as the starter was turning, I would slowly start pulling the choke out. It would usually catch before the choke got all the way out. If it didn't start, I would start the procedure over. ALWAYS starting with the choke IN.

If I tried to pull the choke out all the way and then start it, it would almost never start.

Since then I've modded mine to death and I don't really have the problem anymore but I still use this procedure as more of a habit than anything else.

Good luck.

 

The problem with cold starts is the starter jet being too small. Drill the jet. You can have a plugged pilot jet, but the bike will still start on choke if you're getting enough fuel through the starter jet. Now, it won't idle or run properly whatsoever with a plugged pilot jet, but it will start on the choke circuit...unless the starter jet is too small. I've had the pilot jet plugged totally shut on many of my dirt bikes over the years, but they would start with the choke. I hear you guys coming up with all these rituals and methods to try to overcome what is a simple, easy fix on the KLX. If your KLX is having the cold start problem, drill the starter jet and get on with enjoying your bike.

 

+1 !!

 

I understand your frustration, and I had the same problem with my bike. I bought an '09 new that had been sitting at the dealer for over a year. I just could not get the thing started and I was quite angry. I wrote the dealer, no real solution there. I also read about a lot of mods, including jet kits, drilling, etc., etc. But I already pumped enough money into the bike just by buying it.

I went to the store and bought a bottle of Sea Foam. I put the recommended amount in the tank and got the bike started on a nice, hot day. I ran through an entire tank of gas, and then refilled with another Sea Foam treatment. The exhaust smelled funny and the gas in the tank looked kind of orange.

After that, the bike has started cold without issue regardless of temperature. Now and again, the bike will hesitate starting hot, but all I do is slightly twist the throttle when pushing the starter and it fires right up.

Please do yourself a favor and before you pump more money into the bike, try the less expensive alternatives first. Sea Foam costs $10 for the bottle and I still have 1/2 bottle left. You can use that as a stabilizer over the winter.

Oh, and for a battery charger, nothing beats the OptiMate chargers. They are the BEST.

 

Shut down procedure.

1. After riding as you are pulling into your driveway, or to speed things up you can do this a block from your house, turn off the gas.
2. Let the bike run until it actually dies from gas starvation, (this may take 2-5 minutes) But that's ok it will give you time to put away your gear.
3. Park it and now you're ready for the next time you ride whether that be in a day, or a month.

Start up procedure.

1. Turn on the gas
2. Wait for 10 seconds
3. Start the bike as you always do

 

OK deej...here it goes.



You put your right foot in,
You put your right foot out;
You put your right foot in,
And you shake it all about.
You do the Hokey-Pokey,
And you turn yourself around.
That's what it's all about!

Sorry guys...couldn't resist.

 

Just fix the effin thing so it starts!

An hour or two to fix the choke is well worth any frustration you will get in the future if you do not.

David

Yeah, the starter dance.