RC51 - Tough to Start

[CBRent]

My RC isn't liking to start when she's cold this season. She cranks up fine once she's been warmed up.

Is there any obvious thing that RC51's do at about 13k miles that makes them difficult to start?

Granted, she always fired up slower than my CBR's and was grumpy until she warmed up (hence the "she").

I don't want to just start replacing things until the problem is solved. Although, the first suspects are the plugs.

Thanks!

Brent

[Degsy]

Plugs, then battery showing sings of age. Cranking amps low.

derek

[CBRent]

That was my guess. I'll grab some plugs on the way home.

The old battery was already rotated into the Blackbird. So, the RC has a nice fresh one.

Thanks for posting.

Brent

[skiierx]

Order the plugs from Advance auto parts, they have them for like $10/piece. If you go to a LBS you will end up paying somewhere around $25-$40/piece. The rear is a pain to do so just be patient.

[CBRent]

FYI: Motorcycles of Manchester had the spark plugs for $10 each.

Thanks for the responses.

Griswold effect: Now that the RC51 is together the CBR1100XX died. WTF! Apparently I'm cursed to only have one bike working at a time.

[Paul_E_D]

Valve adjustment for the RC should help.

[skiierx]

vavle adjustment for the RC is scheduled at 16k, most people I have spoken with have not had theirs adjusted up to like 25-30k as the ones who did have adjusted stated they were within spec

[xrocket21]

vavle adjustment for the RC is scheduled at 16k, most people I have spoken with have not had theirs adjusted up to like 25-30k as the ones who did have adjusted stated they were within spec

Orly? I just got a used RC with 15.5k miles and Im now at 16.4k miles and I was wondering about the valve adjustment. Any other RC riders want to comment on this?

[CBRent]

Leave the valves alone as per above. Ride it like you stole it!

[skiierx]

Orly? I just got a used RC with 15.5k miles and Im now at 16.4k miles and I was wondering about the valve adjustment. Any other RC riders want to comment on this?

Look for Half Squid and Mycirus on this board or go over to rc51.com to ask that question.

[xrocket21]

Leave the valves alone as per above. Ride it like you stole it!

done and done

[mycirus]

I wouldnt worry about it. Coleman had like 50000 miles on his RC and it was still in spec. Its very reliable. If it was a Duc I would say do it every 3000 miles....But its a Honda. You are good.

Bruce

[agrabau]

If the bike has a power commander disconnect it and try to do a cold start while running the bike as stock. See if that helps. If it doesnt then try new plugs.

[Superhawk]

how about a new set of air filters? also, going with high-test fuel shoud help if you haven't been using it. Me-2000 RC w/33,200 miles...
Kevin

[Degsy]

If the bike has a power commander disconnect it and try to do a cold start while running the bike as stock. See if that helps. If it doesnt then try new plugs.

Good point. RC's are very prone to starting and weird electrical problems if you don't attatch the power commander ground directly to the battery -ve terminal.

derek