Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

I've got a '99 curvy with around 30k on the clock. Lately I've had two problems:

1. My bike usually starts first time no problem, if however it stops soon after starting, usually sidestand sticking on the way up and I put it in gear, it struggles to start again. It usually does eventually but keeps trying for ages before it fires.

2. Once the bike is warmed up, if I'm sitting idling say in traffic, my oil pressure light keeps flashing on/off. It never comes on constant and will not do it if I rev the bike a bit more. It currently idles at around 1400rpm which I think is correct.

Just wondering if anyone knows what could be causing either problem and any solutions. With regards to problem 2, is this likely due to engine wear and expected or is it a big problem. Any advice would be much appreciated.

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Wot dose the bike idle at?

;)

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

As above - 1400rpm. I don;t know if raising it would 'hide' the problem but I think 1400rpm is the recommended anyway.

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Does it hold a steady idle when the throttle is closed or does it 'hunt' around (travels from 1k up to 3k etc)

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

It remains pretty steady once warmed up. WHen cold it can creep about a little but is always stable when warmed up.

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

well thats ok i hav an 01 curvy n it was huntin etc and i needed to get the carbs balanced and all. check and see if your choke is sticky, once the bike warms up the choke will flood the engine instead and cause it to bog down and die, u can check the choke plungers etc in the carbs but i wud recommend play about with the actual choke control on the bars and see what happens, try pullin it all the way on and slammin it off etc
worked for me when mine went a bit sticky!!! this isnt technical help jus sum things to try without dismantlin the bike right now haha

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Cheers, I had the carbs balanced around 5k ago and think they're still OK. I'll try that with the choke but I don't think it's sticking. I usually use it on a bit when I start it when it's cold and let it warm up then turn the choke off and the revs fall to normal idle so don't think it's sticking.

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

As for the oil pressure light, the most common thing is for the pressure switch to be faulty. It is possible of course that you actually have no pressure....................

The oil level is correct isn't it?

I'd go with the others' suggestions re the chokes. The only reliable way to check is to take the plungers out and see what state the cables etc are in, no white cruddy corrosion. You're unlikely to feel anything at the lever end, it's usually a case of the plungers not closing fully which you don't feel (spring return).

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Cheers, the oil level is correct, I topped it up the other day to slightly below the max mark. Looks like I'll need to have a look at the choke, hopefully I can this weekend.

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Gav if you need a hand give me a shout this weekend mate-if you can get the bike over to Hamilton, you can balance your carbs here and get the plungers checked/cleaned out -i,m gonna be in the garage most of the weekend

husky

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Cheers for the offer husky but i've got it in bits now. Took the airbox and front plunger out today, it was a bit messy but not too bad. Pretty sure the carbs are OK as they were balanced fairly rcently.

Having trouble getting the screw for the front plunger out though, anyone got any hints. I've already removed the fairing but it didn't help much. I'm working tomorrow so hopefully I'll be giving it another try either tommorrow night or Sun. Is it necessary to take the carbs off to get access to the screw? I can't quite get a screwdriver in, any advice/tips would be much appreciated.

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Take the carbs off its much easier to get at the front plunger screw.

the plunger screws on my carbs were a b*stard to get out. The screws are very soft so watch you dont round the heads on them.

Try squirting some penetrating oil down past the head. If that doesnt work try and get a set of mole grips on the head of the screw. If that doesnt work take a large screwdriver and a hammer and give the screwdriver a tap down onto the screwhead.

But be careful walloping the carbs, they're sensitive and you dont want to go beating the cack out of them. The hammer and screwdriver trick worked on my choke plunger screws.

HTH

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

Thanks for all the help. I removed the rear plunger cleaned it etc and put it back in. Removed the carbs and still was struggling to get the front plunger screw out as it was just beginning to chew up. Ended up just spraying some GT-85 style stuff at down the plunger end of the choke cable. Seems to be better now though never got a proper run today, hopefully it'll be fine now, if not might be another battle with that screw.

Thanks again,

Gav

Re: Curvy starting and Idling Problems
 

sound mate-give me a shout if you need a hand-i've got a few spare sets of carbs in the garage and a box full of sv nuts and bolts, so if you chew the screw up i'll have a spare

husky