xr400 starting problem (possibly)

[redtailkarn]

Hi I've just brought an XR400 to play on, It needed a bit of work doing to it. When I got the bike it only needed one and a half Pushes (if thats the right word) on the kick start to bring it up to compression. I haven't done anything to the engine as yet, apart from a full oil change, but now on occasion's i need about four pushes to bring it up to compression. is this OK and normal? was i just lucky before with the 1 1/2 pushes.

[Guest]

Hi I've just brought an XR400 to play on, It needed a bit of work doing to it. When I got the bike it only needed one and a half Pushes (if thats the right word) on the kick start to bring it up to compression. I haven't done anything to the engine as yet, apart from a full oil change, but now on occasion's i need about four pushes to bring it up to compression. is this OK and normal? was i just lucky before with the 1 1/2 pushes.

you press down on the kickstart to bring the piston to the top, it could be it was halfway up one the first try.. and on the down stroke last time, so longer travel..

always bring the piston to top, before jumping on it, otherwise you will waste effort and could hurt yourself..

[redtailkarn]

so does that mean when i bring it to compression in 1 1/2 pushes. it was on it's way up to compresson, but when it takes four pushes it had just passed compression so i had to move it further round. So therefore it's not a problem?

[Guest akey]

If it starts and runs OK then its defo not a problem.

I wouldnt think its a problem at all.

[Guest]

so does that mean when i bring it to compression in 1 1/2 pushes. it was on it's way up to compresson, but when it takes four pushes it had just passed compression so i had to move it further round. So therefore it's not a problem?

a piston moves up and down,..

if its on the up stroke, it will take less to get to the top, than if its on the down cycle..

think of a clock, if the minute hand has passed the 6, its got less to travel to get to twelve, than if its just passed the 12..

and i'm with Akey, if its not broke, dont fix it.. sounds like your concerned over nothing, bike runs ok..

[Colin the Bear]

Four stroke. Fires on the fourth stroke. Bang blow suck squeeze repeat