1. Husqvarna Motorcycles Made In Sweden - About 1988 and older

Does this bike look hard to start?

Discussion in 'Vintage/Left Kickers' started by DPete, Oct 7, 2016.

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  1. DPete Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Farmington, Ca
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 WR250 76' 360 WR 18' FE 450 17
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yam wr250r - Suz DRZ400s - 2 Harleys
    Kartwheel you are exactly right about the original lever, the ball of your foot hits the peg, kind of a poor design. I'll see if I can find a decent one that doesn't break the bank. At the same time I have a 400 with the same lever that starts easy, no reed box though, I wondered if the gas going thru the reeds made for harder starting? I probably have a combination of things causing it. I ordered a dial indicator so will check the timing before tearing the top down
    DPete, Oct 9, 2016
    #21

  2. grouty Auto Lover ...

    Location:
    South West UK
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    78 390WR, 78 390 AMX, 500 Humph
    Other Motorcycles:
    works 73 CCM 520, another 73 CCM520
    I have a lever very similar on the '78 390 Auto and it's a PITA. I have learnt to start it with my toes in a fairly stiff soled mx boot ! I have the pigs tail lever on my 390WR 6 speed. A vast improvement but it then eats the boot catch on my right foot where it brushes past the foot peg.
    I have a spare side cover for the Auto, so may experiment with welding a stop on the case so I can use the pigs tail on that one too.

    DPete .... when you have done your comp test, try squirting a little oil down the bore. Re-do the comp test and if it improves then it will tell you it's rings (at the best !)
    grouty, Oct 9, 2016
    #22

  3. ruwfo Administrator

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 390CR, 1982 430CR, 1984 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 250XC, 2016 FJ-09
    You have to use a different technic , when using the 76 & earlier kickers, here's what i did on the 76 360 i had & just sold. Like you already mentioned the kicker is seems too short & or your foot hit the foot peg when kicking in over.
    So try this, stand on the left side (kicker side) of the bike, but instead of putting our foot parallel with the lever, put your foot parallel with the folding section. So basically you perpendicular with the engine, & although it may seems odd at 1st, once you get use to it, you can actually kick the bike over using the full stroke of the kicker, now. My 360 would start usually on the 1st kick, doing that, and of course make sure you wear a riding boot.
    ruwfo, Oct 9, 2016
    #23

  4. justintendo klotz super techniplate junkie

    Location:
    mercer, pa/northwest pa
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    84 250,86 400,87 430,88 250,95 360
    Other Motorcycles:
    99 kawasaki zrx 1100
    with this lever, i thought that was how you were supposed to kick these? if you didnt it would have a hard time starting!
    justintendo, Oct 9, 2016
    #24

  5. Jeff B Husqvarna
    AA Class

    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1975wr 250
    Other Motorcycles:
    yamaha ty 175,
    My method works for me on my Mag. BUT.. bigger bores are/might be different. You have a Mikuni. Hold the kill button so it will NOT start. Believe it or not, when you kick and it did not start, you burned a little of your fuel. Some big bores need a lot of fuel. My 250 starts very easy this way. Any way, kick it a few times with the kill button held. Then kick the snot out of it. Every bike has a sweet spot. If your top end is shot, fix that also. I know most say 125 psi is not enough. It should start. Most modern kick start big bore 2 strokes have a bleed hole to reduce compression for easier starting. Also, what fuel are you using? Is it high octane race gas? Jeff
    Jeff B, Oct 9, 2016
    #25

  6. DPete Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Farmington, Ca
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 WR250 76' 360 WR 18' FE 450 17
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yam wr250r - Suz DRZ400s - 2 Harleys
    Pump gas, I know it's not the best but my other 2 huskys start fine on it. Retested cold, back to 150psi, 125 warm
    DPete, Oct 11, 2016
    #26

  7. 84scrambler Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    mid Florida
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    87 xc 250, 85 wrx 250, 79 wr 250
    Did you try the rocking technique ? If not here it is , this does work by the way.
    Turn fuel on just long enough to fill up bowl
    Turn fuel off
    Choke on
    3rd gear sit on bike rock bike forward and back ward about 30 sec. give or take , making sure that its cycling through the power stroke.
    Put back in neutral
    Kick it like Gran pap taught you.
    Don't forget to turn fuel on when she lights off.
    May be worth trying and you may have to tweak it a little to get it just right. Sounds like your just not getting the correct amount of fuel in there
    84scrambler, Oct 11, 2016
    #27

  8. ruwfo Administrator

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 390CR, 1982 430CR, 1984 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 250XC, 2016 FJ-09
    Did you try the rocking technique ? practice it, it works, only way my 390 & 430 start...

    I remember I bought a fully restored 79 250OR a few years back, for $800:eek: , Guy spent thousands on it, and then
    could never get it started:banghead: . I come to look at it & he pulls it out of the garage , telling me how it never starts,
    etc.
    I do the rocking technique & it starts on the 1st kick, he stands there with his jaw dropped, says I guess
    it just needed a Husky guy. I say yeap & loaded in my truck :D
    ruwfo, Oct 12, 2016
    #28
    jack topper and Darrel78 like this.

  9. DPete Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Farmington, Ca
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 WR250 76' 360 WR 18' FE 450 17
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yam wr250r - Suz DRZ400s - 2 Harleys
    Going to try it today, went from a 45 to 50 pilot jet yesterday experimenting.
    DPete, Oct 12, 2016
    #29

  10. DPete Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Farmington, Ca
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 WR250 76' 360 WR 18' FE 450 17
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yam wr250r - Suz DRZ400s - 2 Harleys
    Hell ya!! Followed your instructions, started 2nd kick cold. Thanks much
    DPete, Oct 12, 2016
    #30
    ajcmbrown, jack topper and oldbikedude like this.

  11. ruwfo Administrator

    Location:
    NJ
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1980 390CR, 1982 430CR, 1984 400WR
    Other Motorcycles:
    1985 250XC, 2016 FJ-09
    COOL :thumbsup: , and the reason, it works, is this
    1) The rocking, primes the cylinder
    2) kicking it on the power stroke (a little past TDC) , times the spark better with fuel delivery.

    Whatever method works for you, use it! :applause:

    I've seen plenty of guys of other NON Husky bikes lay the bikes over on there sides
    to prime them, hey if it starts that way, don't knock it..
    ruwfo, Oct 13, 2016
    #31

  12. DPete Husqvarna
    A Class

    Location:
    Farmington, Ca
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1972 WR250 76' 360 WR 18' FE 450 17
    Other Motorcycles:
    Yam wr250r - Suz DRZ400s - 2 Harleys
    Tried again, 2nd kick cold, yay
    DPete, Oct 13, 2016
    #32
    84scrambler likes this.

  13. grouty Auto Lover ...

    Location:
    South West UK
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    78 390WR, 78 390 AMX, 500 Humph
    Other Motorcycles:
    works 73 CCM 520, another 73 CCM520
    Just try that method with an Auto ..... :banghead:;)
    grouty, Oct 13, 2016
    #33
    87husky500xc and Bill502 like this.

  14. oldbikedude Husqvarna
    Pro Class

    Location:
    Honey Brook Pa.
    Husqvarna Motorcycle:
    1988 wr 430 with cr suspension
    Other Motorcycles:
    66flh,67 CA77,76 CR125M,73H1,74ty250
    I rock mine in 2nd a few times. Usually starts right up.
    oldbikedude, Oct 13, 2016
    #34
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