Help me find thread on starting a Chief

[Coolbreeze]

I have been riding my '48 Chief for over 50 years, but it can be contrary when it comes to starting at times. I know there is a thread somewhere where our members discuss starting techniques. Please help me find that thread.
BTW, I am ready to start using ether to get the bike started!

[Skirted]

George,
50 years is a long time! Is it giving you problems particularly when’s it’s cold, hot, warm? Or all of the above?

[kitabel]

Do you have the correct carburetor including venturi and main nozzle?
Float material?
Float setting?
Vacuum leak (throttle shaft)?
Vacuum leak (manifold, nipples)?
Spark setting?
Plug gap?

[stan]

My 47 starts cold with a couple kicks, with the choke on. Then one click down on the choke lever. Then one healthy kick it usually fires up. Hot is a different story. It starts very hard. Seams the more people watching the harder it starts. You may check for air leaks on the manifold. I made up a plate to pressurize the manifold, and use soap to check for leaks. Even with no air leaks my 47 still starts hard hot. Wish I had a better answer for you. Stan

[T. Cotten]

My 47 starts cold with a couple kicks, with the choke on. Then one click down on the choke lever. Then one healthy kick it usually fires up. Hot is a different story. It starts very hard. Seams the more people watching the harder it starts. You may check for air leaks on the manifold. I made up a plate to pressurize the manifold, and use soap to check for leaks. Even with no air leaks my 47 still starts hard hot. Wish I had a better answer for you. Stan

Stan!

Did you bubble-test at a full 15psi, using a constant, regulated air supply?

Sorry I had to ask, but hand pumps, shop vacs, and air mattress pumps give false negatives.

....Cotten
PS: Holes get bigger when hot.

[tomfiii]

Hot start check coil, it could have a heat soak problem. Also make sure you don't have peaks forming on points as condenser could cause that.

[Coolbreeze]

Valves seem to be fine. Brand new Bendix carburetor and solid state 12 ignition system from Starklite. For a few weeks, it started fairly well. I let it sit for ~1 1/2 weeks this month; then, it became stubborn. I finally got it to fire up when I used ether on it today. It ran fine once I got it going. Until I figure this out, there will be a container of ether in my saddlebag!

[D.A.Bagin]

I've owned my 58 Panhead for almost 50 years. It starts cold usually no issue. After that it could be one kick or a hundred. For 50 yrs. its been a pain in my unowhat. My 57, never an issue.

[Skirted]

Maybe you just need more fuel during priming. Don’t know Bendix carbs but does it have an accelerator pump?

[T. Cotten]

Seriously, Folks.

HDs and Indians started the same: Both damn easy honest!...

When everything's in order.

If it don't, then its broken: Fix it.

....Cotten

[stan]

I had a regulator attached to the air supply. Stan

[Qtaug]

47 Chief

Cold start 1st kick- throttle all the way open, choke all the way closed. 2nd. kick throttle all the way closed, choke up one notch. 3rd kick- slightly crack throttle, retard spark 1/2 way and you should be good to go. Hot start- slightly crack throttle, choke all the way open. This works for me!

[Coolbreeze]

Don’t know Bendix carbs but does it have an accelerator pump?

Yes, it does.