Hard Cold Starting

[otis71]

My 56 FLH sat since last fall until the other day. At that time it started and ran fine. Got it out the other day and now it’s very hard to start cold but ok once it warms. I bubble tested the manifold thinking the O rings deteriorated but absolutely no bubbles. I didn’t look at the carburetor when it was off assuming since the 2 primer kicks get it wet inside and the bowl was drained last fall it’d be okay. I replaced the points and condenser with new oem ones and installed new champion J12Y plugs. Still hard cold starts. Any advice? Thanks.
P.S. The battery is up to par.

[DEEBS47Chief1991]

I would clean the carb, Otis. The pilot circuit gets gummy after sitting a long time.

[dukekleman]

My 56 FLH sat since last fall until the other day. At that time it started and ran fine. Got it out the other day and now it’s very hard to start cold but ok once it warms. I bubble tested the manifold thinking the O rings deteriorated but absolutely no bubbles. I didn’t look at the carburetor when it was off assuming since the 2 primer kicks get it wet inside and the bowl was drained last fall it’d be okay. I replaced the points and condenser with new oem ones and installed new champion J12Y plugs. Still hard cold starts. Any advice? Thanks.
P.S. The battery is up to par.

Otis,

Being the motorcycle was parked in running condition and well over a 1/2 year plus, I would say you have a Gasoline quality issue.

Fuel degrades very quickly. It's volatility goes down month after month. Based on the motorcycles storage atmosphere, it can degrade even faster.

What you have stated regarding cold start issues matches perfectly with degraded fuel along with the fact that it ran fine when you parked it last.
A hot engine with help old gasoline ignite easier. So your statement of hot starting "OK"makes sense as well...

You did not mention any run-ability issues so we will assume carburetor circuits are clean from the information you provided.

The hard parts you replaced , spark plugs, point and condenser, etc should not have failed while sitting over that time period.

Hope this helps,

Duke Kleman

[chuckthebeatertruck]

In Chicago-land, we change fuel blends three times a year or so. A bike parked in April with fresh fuel, even with stabilizer, can prove a flaky starter till the old stuff is out. If fuel is more than eight weeks old or spans a season, I pretty much always suspect it first.

My second check is always voltage at the coil.

[otis71]

I only use non ethanol fuel. In the past it has been fairly stable even over extended periods though I rule nothing out.

[duffeycycles]

Even evo sportsters have a hard time starting after a winter nap because of degraded fuel. Most start right up after fuel & spark plugs changed. That includes draining the fuel in the carb.

[T. Cotten]

..2 primer kicks get it wet inside..Still hard cold starts..

Its been a pretty warm summer, Otis,

Wouldn't "wet" be 'flooded'?

I'd prime her gentler and see how she does.

...Cotten