85 WR400 (now 430) watercool starting problems

Hi Guys, bike was running ok,and started ok for a number of years... pulled down carb as needle/seat was leaking,removed all jets and cleaned incl pilot, now it wont start.....what have i done wrong? Pilot setting?

ideas would be helpful

Dont want to sound too obvious but are you getting fuel into the float bowl and is the float level within spec? Maybe the new needle and seat isnt allowing fuel into the bowl? Quick test would be to lay the bike on its side and see if any fuel comes out of the overflow tubes or take the plug out of the bottom of the float bowl and verify that way. Again forgive me if you have already checked the above.

did the bike run before?
if so,, check the reeds., sometimes they get old crusty fuel in them as well.

yeah thanks guys but it ran ok ( a little blubbery up top) before pulling carb down to replace needle and seat.......plenty of fuel in the bowl etc,new spark plug and ok spark...I have had conflicting float measurements so have used Mikuni specs and measured from gasket to to float arms when upside down as its a twin float attached to bowl VM series.........guess i gotta just keep kickin it !!

the ol pull it down the street..usually makes em run

It's probably flooded now. Here's my ritual for clearing them out:

Take the spark plug out
Turn off gas
Turn off choke
Hold throttle wide open and don't move it!
Hold the kill button down
Kick about 50 medium kicks!

Put NEW gapped plug in (.024")
Leave gas off
Leave choke off
Hold throttle wide open and don't move it!
Kick several times

If it pops, keep kicking until it starts, holding throttle wide open.
If it doesn't pop or start after 3 or 4 kicks, remove the plug and see if it's wet.

If it's wet, clean and dry the plug and start over at the top.
If it's dry, put it back in and kick some more.

Still no start? Pull plug again and see if wet or dry. If wet... go to top, if dry, close throttle all the way, turn on gas and choke and kick with THROTTLE CLOSED.

Once it's running, keep it running at a slightly fast idle for a several minutes. Get it good and hot to let it clean out well.

Or turn it upside down on its handlebars and seat.
Put in 3 gear, with the plug out and hold the kill button in.
Spin the wheel a bunch and watch fuel blow out of the plug hole..

Watch that there isn't a bunch of fuel in the exhaust pipe, when you
turn it back over though.

Put plug back in. Hold throttle W/O and kick..

Just had to do this to a 85 400 last week.

Bottom end was full of fuel...

Had to take the plug out twice doing this procedure before it finally ran
and boy did it blow a bunch of oil/gas out of the pipe, covering everything behind it...

Bob Bean

1986 ISDE Italy
1987 ISDE Poland
1989 ISDE Germany

Thanks for the ideas fellas, got the beast started by the throttle open full method,now she's cleared its throat and runs great again.....the suns shining in Napier NZ so time for a ride tommorow !!! ye ha


Phil

...so of course there will be photos.

Yip sure

View attachment 6831 View attachment 6830

View attachment 6833

View attachment 6832 , Its a 85 WR400 with 430 barrel and piston etc, custom made fibreglass tank, Suzuki twin leading shoe front end.
I have all the original enduro gear including BIG tank,guards,front end,headlight. Return to original for Vinduro as per picture, and as it is for MX......awesome bike with a huge power range

Very nice