cold start trouble

[davidpdx]

Another thing you might want to try is to push the "choke" past full on and hold it there while cranking. This may be an idiosyncrasy of my bike alone but it does get it started on those cold, dark mornings when I just want to get to work.
[ch8194]  

[aarm]

Thanks David.  Any chance you bought your bike from a guy in SE that was selling to buy a family sailboat?  Stored in a side yard in a small hand built shed?

[davidpdx]

Yes Aaron that is the bike I bought. It has been a great one for me. Was that your bike?

[k_enn]

<snip>Replacing the coil could be next on my list, but I'll need a multimeter first.

Any recommendations for a good cheap one?  Harbor freight has a bunch but not sure about the 5 dollar one.

I am not sure if you have the "points" ignition, or the electronic ignition.  For those of us with the electonic (1981 and newer), almost everyone here has gone with the Dyna Brown coil.  If you have a 1979-80, the Dyna Green should be the one.

http://www.motoelekt.com/ignition.htm

Not necessarily cheap, but reasonably priced, and very solid and reliable.  It will put an end to any coil issues.

k_enn

[aarm]

David - I test rode it and thought about buying it.  It had awesome maintenance records.  Glad it stayed in portland.

K_enn - it's an 83, so the Dyna Brown would be the path.  Thanks for the recommendation

[aarm]

Well tonight it's dropped into the 40's. I tried starting and the same sputtering and no start.  I'll be checking the coil this week.  Battery was holding fine even after running the starter for a good 30 seconds.  Probably not the battery.

Checked pricing on starters.  Ouch.  300+ from Bob's.  about 200 from motobins.  Any other resources that people can recommend.

The coil was under a hundred, so that would be a better choice to start with.

[Session101]

you should try to post a video if you can, once i get my mini tripod ill post one up of mine

[Barry]

Before throwing money at it and to try and confirm if your problem is fuel or spark have you tried pulling the plugs after the first starting attempt. If they are dry it's probably lack of fuel if they are wet it's likely a poor spark.

[k_enn]

$200 is about right for a starter.  This is what I got:

http://www.euromotoelectrics.com/Starter-BMW-R-Airhead-9-Tooth-BMW-VAL1-p/bmw-val1.htm

Just be sure if you need the 8-tooth or 9-tooth for your bike.

If you have the Bosch starter, you might be able to have it rebuilt for less.

k_enn

[montmil]

...Checked pricing on starters.  Ouch.  300+ from Bob's.  about 200 from motobins.  Any other resources that people can recommend...

Don't throw money at a starter right now. Continue checking the simple things until all are either eliminated as problems or fixed.

When I return home on Monday, I'll post a link for starter rebuild kits... unless someone else reads this and does so. But doubt it's the starter.

Right now, I'm in Luckenbach, wrapping up another great Harvest Classic. So many great vintage bikes of all flavors.

[Bob_Roller]

If you decide to do something with the starter, it doesn't need to be replaced, just cleaned and lubricated .

If you don't feel comfortable doing the job yourself, a local shop that specializes in alternator, generator and starters, should be able to do the job for a nominal charge .

You need to do some troubleshooting before replacing parts, the 'shotgun' method of trouble shooting can get costly and not fix the problem .

Here's a link to do a rebuild on a Bosch starter .

http://www.thisoldtractor.com/gtbender/print/moto_guzzi_loopframe_electrical_starter_and_solenoid_repair_-bosch-.htm

[k_enn]

This may help you determine if the problem is the starter:

http://w6rec.com/duane/bmw/starter/index.htm

[Session101]

...Checked pricing on starters.  Ouch.  300+ from Bob's.  about 200 from motobins.  Any other resources that people can recommend...

Don't throw money at a starter right now. Continue checking the simple things until all are either eliminated as problems or fixed.

When I return home on Monday, I'll post a link for starter rebuild kits... unless someone else reads this and does so. But doubt it's the starter.

Right now, I'm in Luckenbach, wrapping up another great Harvest Classic. So many great vintage bikes of all flavors.

I hope you are taking pictures/videos

[aarm]

Ok odd enough started up great today at 50 degrees after a trickle charge for a few hours.  I'll try and get video in a few days when it hopefully dries up.  Rainy season is upon us up here.

[aarm]

As a side seems more electrical between the charge helping today and the smell of gas when it wouldnt start yesterday.  Really I need to get a multimeter to test the battery and coil before I do any more trouble shooting.  Thanks again for all the feedback.