450 kick start
 

hellow everybody i am just about to buy a 04 450fse but the previous owner has higlighted a fault it starts ok on the electric button but refuses to start by kick anybody else had this problem as its usually the opposite fault i did think it may be a weak spark but i do want to sus this out now.
thanks mark

kick start 450
 

I had trouble with my new 450fse 06 from the start, could not kick start it to save me so i spent one sunday when bike was hot an got it going after a lot of abuse from my mates but even now still have probs when bike is cold nil when bike is hot strange but it works for me man.

Nearly everyone has problems starting their 450 FSE's. They're great bikes once you get them started, IF you can get them started. :confused:

I have a -05, i have managed to kick start it once, when hot. Cold, never.

Is there an automatic decompression that engages badly?
It feels like the gearing of the kick start doesn't move the piston more than half a stroke..

I will ask my dealer to convey this question to the swedish importers.

We've modified all the 05 450's we sold by taking .005 off of the decompressor as i was told by the engineer. Helps starting immensly.

Can you describe this procedure in more detail?
My dealer talked to the swedish importer, but they did not know this.

You take the cam out and take .005 off of the decomp where it pushes the vavle open. It raises the cranking pressure.

Take off as in 'grind off' ?

How do you do this with any precision? Have to take it to a mill?

What shape does it get ground off as..can you just do it flat?

I guess maybe I should take it to a machine shop if i want to do this.

Nick,

I'm down here in Vegas. I have an 03 that I've been able to kick start a couple of times cold. I ended up changing to an 04 cam and starter which helped a ton with the button. Lowered my cranking compression from 105lb's to about 82lb's give or take a few.
I've found short, like 3 second burst on the button makes a big difference in the success of starting 4-T Gas Gas bikes. Unsuccessful the first two or three times, turn the key off for 10 seconds or so. Hit the button again, it'll start. I also think the trim needs to be set correctly. For Vegas, 2300 ft in elevation, It starts easier in the 35 to 40 range. I have a 4T 04 quad that stalls at slow speeds or idle all the time unless the trim is set in the 35-40 range.
So, now I have an 03 cam sitting around. Have you personaly modded a cam for lower cranking compression? I though you had to add more metal to the decompression dimple?
A set of nice digtial side by side photos would be cool.
Hope I didn't hijack the thread with my old FSE story.
Mike.