02 R1, Trouble starting Bike ??? : Yamaha R1 Forum

T0DD · 10-22-2002, 03:35 PM

If you're 02 R1 has trouble starting cold READ THIS !!! It's worth your time!

Ever since I bought my R1 in April my bike has been a rough starter. Meaning... when I would try and start the bike cold it would take 2-3 pushes of the start button in order to get it running.

I'd hit the start button the first time and it would attempt to start for about 4-6 seconds, then I'd release the button.

Then I'd hit the button again for another 4-6 seconds, each time ensuring that the fuel pump completed it's priming cycle (or whatever it does).

Finally the 3rd time the bike would start.

I was talking to "ANUBIS" and he tells me that he is going to mechanics school for motorcycles. So I tell him he needs to fix my bike over the internet. He asks what's going on, so I tell him the above written scenario. He says, "try pulling your clutch in when you start your bike." (thinking to myself, "yeah right") I tell him Ok, be right back.

WOULD YOU BELIEVE THAT IT STARTED WITH THE VERY FIRST ATTEMPT !!!! My man "ANUBIS" fixed my freaking R1 over the internet!!!!!!

The reason why I tell this story is because I know I am not the only guy out there with this problem. If you are having similar problems try pulling your clutch in when you start the bike. It worked for me!

AND A HUGE THANKS to ANUBIS !!!! YOU ARE AWESOME !!!

Annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd, if you are having this same problem and you try pulling in your clutch and starting your bike and it works for you too then please post in this thread so others will see that I'm not smoking crack !!!

Thanks !!

d207gp · 10-22-2002, 04:05 PM

Could be that your clutch plates are sticking due to thicker cold engine oil. Pulling in the clutch disengages the plates enabling easier starting of your engine.

Is the problem more pronounced in colder weather?

codemaster · 10-22-2002, 05:36 PM

AWESOME, thanks for the tip man. i have this EXACT problem myself.

will try the clutch trick

T0DD · 10-22-2002, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by d207gp
Could be that your clutch plates are sticking due to thicker cold engine oil. Pulling in the clutch disengages the plates enabling easier starting of your engine.

Is the problem more pronounced in colder weather?

My starting problem seemed to be in any weather. As long as the bike sat for about 2 hours or more it would have a tough time starting. Of course when it was warm (meaning I just got done riding it) it would start right up. Your theory is exactly what Anubis told me.

I had posted this issue before but I got a bunch of suggestions that weren't easy fixes. I'm just hoping this trick works for a lot of guys with the same problem. It took away a lot of my stress when it worked for me !!

cyberena,

Let me know if it fixes your starting problem too !! I'm anxious to see if it works for you too !!!

Spike13 · 10-22-2002, 05:53 PM

No luck here.
I have only had my 02' for two weeks now and have noticed the same problem. It always starts on the thrid try when it is cold. I just tried it with the clutch pulled in and it did not make any difference. The temp is in the 30's in the garage right now.

T0DD · 10-22-2002, 06:35 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Spike13
No luck here.
I have only had my 02' for two weeks now and have noticed the same problem. It always starts on the thrid try when it is cold. I just tried it with the clutch pulled in and it did not make any difference. The temp is in the 30's in the garage right now.

Try pumping the clutch about 4-6 times.. then pulling it in and starting it. That's what I do everytime. Although I wasn't told to do that I just did it the first time and it worked so I do that everytime now.

Also, what kind of Oil are you using???

***Anubis*** · 10-22-2002, 06:37 PM

Hey Spike....what type of oil are you running? If it's thicker oil....your engine will probably have a harder time starting...Also....flick your throttle a bit as you're cranking it to send a little more fuel into the combustion chamber....If nothing works...shoot me an email.

Spike13 · 10-22-2002, 06:45 PM

Yamalube 10w40.
I will try again in about another hour...should be completly cooled down by then. I will try pumping the cluch a few times before starting. I really want this to work!!! It is very annoying to have a brand new bike and have to start it 3 times before it will run. I never had this problem on the 01' but then it had a manual choke. My friend has a feul injected GSXR-600 and he has a manual choke...

andre73 · 10-22-2002, 07:12 PM

I reckon perhaps that when the bike is cold it doesn't have enough torque initially to deal with both turning the engine and the gearbox at the same time.
Pulling in the clutch would release the load that any spinning gears in an oil bath would create. Thus helping the engine to turn a little more easily.
This would exist until such time as the engine management fuelling maps could accomodate the meagre amount of load asked of it. Maybe only a few seconds once the sensors and management have sorted themselves out.

Sounds like an unsorted factory bug if you ask me, might need an ECU remap ???

ANdre

codemaster · 10-22-2002, 07:22 PM

so went and tried pulling the clutch in and out 4-6 times, then held on to the clutch, and tried to start her up. the first time no luck, but second time it came on almost instantly.

normally it takes 3 times, and normally 2nd time not so instantly

so it appears it may have had some effect, but still hard to tell until after more trial and error.

the second time it came on, i was actually NOT holding on the clutch, i wonder if thats the way to do it?

anyone with tips?

***Anubis*** · 10-22-2002, 07:50 PM

Very well put andre73....except for one thing. I have always been misleaded by this point until recently. How many people actually think that the crankshaft sits in the oil? Probably about 80% of people think that. Wrong. The crankshaft actually sits above the oil in the crankcase. The plates will still stick together regardless of this just from the oil that is left on them. As far as a remap...wouldn't hurt at all. I know my bike came from the factory running lean. I put on a devil pipe and that made it even leaner although it still runs good mind you the back fires during downshifting and deceleration. The second time Spike, your plates were pretty much seperated and free flowing. This could also be a combustion problem. Maybe your bike is running too lean. The best way to find out is an EGA machine or a dyno.

Limited R1 · 10-22-2002, 08:29 PM

Damn Anubis you weren't lying to me you really are learning something.

Keep up the good work The more knowledge on this board the better.

Spike13 · 10-22-2002, 08:34 PM

After letting the bike cool down for about 2 hours I tried the suggestion of pumping the clutch 6 times and then holding it in while starting and for the first time ever it started on the first try when it was cold!!!

Thanks for the tips!

I will keep trying and let you know how it is working...

02BlueR1 · 10-22-2002, 09:33 PM

I had the same problem. No start on first crank attempt. Then release the start button and try again and it starts right up. Anoyed the **** out of me for three months. Then at about 3000 miles the problem vanished. No explaination. It just starts right up from first crank now.

codemaster · 10-23-2002, 09:34 AM

So I tried the clutch thing again this morning, it was REALLY cold this morning, and normally under this kind of circumstance, it takes at least 3 5second tries or so.

anyways, the engine just started LIKE THAT to my amazement, i didnt even get a chance to turn the throttle while starting it up before it already was turned on.

i usually can take my time at turning the throttle cause the damm engine wont start till the 3rd try, so when i hit the start switch, it was just like VROMMM...... i being lost in confusion, threw the throttle a couple times anyways just cause im so used to hearing it when i turn it on

zoomed off like i had a bad ass bike, instead of a bike that seems to have a hard ass time starting like a car that has 150,000 miles on it or something.

No_6 · 10-23-2002, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 02BlueR1
I had the same problem. No start on first crank attempt. Then release the start button and try again and it starts right up. Anoyed the **** out of me for three months. Then at about 3000 miles the problem vanished. No explaination. It just starts right up from first crank now.

Could it be that the additional mileage has caused enough wear to the plates so that they don't stick any more?

BTW thanks for the information TS02R1 and ANUBIS!

***Anubis*** · 10-23-2002, 12:31 PM

No problem gents... I'll be sure to share my knowledge as I start to learn more and more stuff. In about 6 months or so..I'll be in the Yamaha course...12 weeks. Later

T0DD · 10-23-2002, 05:58 PM

I'm glad it worked for a couple more guys. Hopefully we can keep this tip alive. This is one of the greatest tips I've been given yet. Thanks Anubis !!!

CMRRA13 · 10-24-2002, 07:39 AM

I've notice the same thing on my bike. But it usually starts on the second try. This is only when it's bone cold at 4:30 AM leaving for work. Any other time my baby fires on first try.

This morning I tried pulling in the clutch lever 4-6 times, then holding in clutch lever and hit start button and wha-la...fired up on first try.

I'll just make it a habit to do everytime I start it now.

gotR1? · 10-24-2002, 09:30 AM

i havent cranked the bike in days, and yesterday, i go out after reading this volaaaaaa

****er cranks the first time. I couldnt believe it. It use to take me twice, and it was alittle embarrassing around folks, bc its fairly a new bike!!

thanks anubis