OK, unfortunately with my CRM mk2 I've had nothing but hassles since the day I got it. For a long time it just wouldn't start 9 times out of ten, kicking or bumping, and was fouling plugs when it did eventually run.

The carb has just been overhauled, jetting set, float levels set correctly, lug replaced etc. After this was all done, it was initially mildly difficult to kick start, and would backfire a few times before starting.

When it did eventually get running, it would idle well, not smoke a lot, and pull very strongly when the revs hit the powerband.

However, over the next week or two it quickly became harder and harder to start until it could just not be started by kicking when it was cold. Now, it's even hard to bump start it. Once it does eventually get running though it's fine and as long as the engine is warm it'll start with the slightest prod of the kickstarter.

Bear in mind I'm in South Africa and it's summer over here so the weather is nice and warm. Any ideas???

I would check the plug and change if its gone bad also I would look at the choke on the carb and check its working correctly it could also be worth turning the fuel tap of when its not in use as I believe this can lead to bad starting if you are still having trouble it could even be that the engine is choked up. Is there a good spark at the plug if not this might also make it hard to start.

Ive not been able to start mine for 2 months!

Got fed up of tryin now. Not had a proper fettle with it yet though. Its always been hard to start though, but its great once its warm

[quote="superbob"]I would check the plug and change if its gone bad also I would look at the choke on the carb and check its working correctly it could also be worth turning the fuel tap of when its not in use as I believe this can lead to bad starting if you are still having trouble it could even be that the engine is choked up. Is there a good spark at the plug if not this might also make it hard to start.[/quote]

I always keep the fuel turned off when it's not in use.

If the plug is fouled AGAIN I'm gonna push this bike off a cliff! Man, if only this thing ran as reliably as my other bike (a CBR400). I'm about ready to just give it up with all this offroad business and just stick to my ol' CBR. This bike is bankrupting me with all its issues.

What sorta things lead to weak spark? This bike's ignition coils have already been rewound.

Don't take this the wrong way but the most probable reason for not starting, particularly as this is a relatively new bike to you, is wrong technique. Some CRMs respond very badly to any throttle when kicking over.

If it has a weak spark then chase the ignition circuit and look for bad connections.

Thanks knackered, I'll try tracing the ignition circuit. any more specific idea on where a bad connection might be?

Is there any specific kicking technique with regards to CRMs? I use the "choke on, no throttle" approach when kicking it. I'm no stranger to kick starting 2 strokes in general, my previous road-going 2 strokes (NSR 150, TZR 250, RZR 135) gave me no issues at all when kicking from cold and I wasn't doing anything different to what I'm doing with the CRM....

If I remember correctly, I think I read somewhere that using the cheaper spark-plugs were harder to start from cold than the more expensive ones, just a thought.

On 'leisure trail' the spark plus are....
NGK Standard Spark Plug £2.95
NGK Platinum Plugs Aids starting EG £4.95 EV £10.95

Not to use what the EV plugs are but maybe someone else knows.

When i bought mine the guy said tip it on its side else it wont start, an i did start easy this way, but i cba with that any more so cleaned ze carb. It started properly after that but with it bein stood i think the pilot may of got bunged up again.

Dont give up on it mate I had a ke 100 what was very much the same until it chewed up its gear box any way. Try the plug cap because although these look pretty sealed Iv fixed a few poor stating or non starting faults by changing them it might not explain why your bike would start when warm but give it a go.

And, do a search for reasons for non starting.
A silly ask but, have you tried , with a NEW plug fitted, and after fully venting the crankcases, possibly by leaving the plug out overnight, then kicking over, without turning on the choke at all? given your ambient temp, is choking always required?
Mike

fallenmikethebike wrote:And, do a search for reasons for non starting.
A silly ask but, have you tried , with a NEW plug fitted, and after fully venting the crankcases, possibly by leaving the plug out overnight, then kicking over, without turning on the choke at all? given your ambient temp, is choking always required?
Mike

you still need choke - I have it on to start and after about 5-10sec's it will idle without it and so I turn it off, holding a little throttle on for sa few more sec's is better than keeing the choke on.

Regards
SkidMark

Oh, OK, well you're nearest, so pop down and have a look for the guy .
Mike

rings worn ?