What would make my ol' 99 EC300 so hard to start?

[flatout111]

First of all, I am not very mechanically minded. Just being honest. Just a casual trail rider and sometimes go to the moto tracks. I've got an old 99 EC300 which is a nice trail bike. Old, for sure, but still cool.

My main issue is it is just super hard to start. When cold, I find it easiest to prop it up beside my shop so I can get a more forceful kick. pull the choke, don't give it any gas and it will kick over pretty quick if I start it once a week. But again, when cold you have to kick the hell out of it, honestly.

Once warm I can start it without having to prop it up and do the super kick but it still is far from easy. I am only 140 lbs and honestly when I stall it in tight terrain it wears me out having to kick it over. makes riding this otherwise great bike not so enjoyable.

Sure, I could take it to my local bike shop but not sure if want to put a whole lot of money in it and they charge a stupid amount to work on GasGas bikes and I honestly don't have a lot of money.

I've added some real cool parts to the bike and it is really a great bike but is a real pain to start, especially cold.

Any advice or help would be appreciated. I know its difficult without seeing it but worth a shot.

Pics attached. She runs real good and looks great fro the year but is a pain to start and restart.

[jimjim]

Check your reeds,look for damage,that can make it hard to start.

[bowhunter007]

Do you know how hours on the top end? When mine was overdue, it was nearly impossible to start. Once fired, she ran fine...just down on power.

[Rick]

Originally Posted by flatout111

First of all, I am not very mechanically minded. Just being honest. Just a casual trail rider and sometimes go to the moto tracks. I've got an old 99 EC300 which is a nice trail bike. Old, for sure, but still cool.

My main issue is it is just super hard to start. When cold, I find it easiest to prop it up beside my shop so I can get a more forceful kick. pull the choke, don't give it any gas and it will kick over pretty quick if I start it once a week. But again, when cold you have to kick the hell out of it, honestly.

Once warm I can start it without having to prop it up and do the super kick but it still is far from easy. I am only 140 lbs and honestly when I stall it in tight terrain it wears me out having to kick it over. makes riding this otherwise great bike not so enjoyable.

Sure, I could take it to my local bike shop but not sure if want to put a whole lot of money in it and they charge a stupid amount to work on GasGas bikes and I honestly don't have a lot of money.

I've added some real cool parts to the bike and it is really a great bike but is a real pain to start, especially cold.

Any advice or help would be appreciated. I know its difficult without seeing it but worth a shot.

Pics attached. She runs real good and looks great fro the year but is a pain to start and restart.

Try turning on the gas and leaning the bike to the left until you get a little dribble of fuel to come out of the over flow hose.
Then choke it a give her a strong kick, make sure you follow through with the kick.

Replace plug and make sure it is gapped to proper spec.

I agree with checking the reed pedals for broken or damaged tips.
Same with the topend....low compression will have a negative effect on cold starting.

Hope this helps

[bowhunter007]

If you find yourself inclined to tinker...take pics, as you go. Photos during unfamiliar mechanical projects have saved me more than once.

[flatout111]

Thanks for the input, guys. I'll keep you posted.

[thejackrabbit]

try using a 2002+ yz250 kick start its much longer and comes out past the foot pegs making it much easier to get a good kick on it

[WAZ]

My EC300 was a right pain to start, I tried the YZ kickstart lever but it didn't help. Then I did a top end rebuild including reeds, and now it starts first kick. My reeds were burnt, chipped, delaminating and generally not sealing, so I think they had the most effect on starting.

[flatout111]

It probably does need a new top end so that is probably the issue. But it does start a bit easier when warm. Would it do that if it is top end? Sorry for the ignorant question. As I stated, I'm not that mechanically minded.

[stian]

an old buddy of mine has this old 200 Gasgas at the MX track. Havent done the top-end in 8 years. And this bike gets the beating everytime ;p

Reeds+plug+top end, 1 kick.