04 Ridgeback difficult to start

[rickd62]

I have an 04 Ridgeback that gives me trouble on cold starts. If I don't run it for two days and then go to start it she will run the battery down and then I will have to quick charge it. That doesn't always work. I eventually get her going after 1/2 hour or so and up to 5 or 6 turns of the throttle. I keep a trickle charger on the battery at all times when not in use. The first time I had this problem I replaced the start switch, the battery and was stranded at my local gas station because the module plug came loose. I still have the ECH and I am wondering if I should look into getting rid of it before I am left stranded somewhere in the near future. Any suggestions out there guys? :bang:

 

[woodbutcher]

you do not mention that you keep the battery on a tender. if you are not on the bike the tender should be. i use the battery tender jr. but MadDog has some excellent ones on his site as well.

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[rickd62]

Tom, I did mention that, but I called it a trickle charger instead of battery tender.

 

[JimNubs]

Check for any loose wires at the battery. This happened to me this summer.

 

[RAW Blue Rider]

Check the Positive Cable! Positively

Check for any loose wires at the battery. This happened to me this summer.

If you haven't had the replacement... or even if you have.
The OEM positive battery cable has gold plated terminals. Nice huh?
Unfortunately they tend to come loose way too easily.

If that's not the problem then maybe you have a fuel issue.
Just my $.02 - here's my start procedure:
Turn key on and press Run and then crank it over 4-6 seconds to move some oil around.
Turn key off.
Twist throttle 3/4 and release.
Lift the Enrichner about the thickness of a finger.
Turn key on, press Run, and it'll fire right up.

Maybe Iridium spark plugs would help????
Oh yeah, stick your tongue out of the left side of your mouth while you do these steps.:lol::loony:

 

[woodbutcher]

sorry 'bout that Rick, seems like i've got a short between my eyes and my brain lately. try manually depressing the compression releases before cranking, they may be sticking closed on you causing more strain on the battery.

 

[toodie]

Certainly might need a battery but I have found on very cold mornings I have to use the enricher to get her going. That's only after a few attempts without and only for a few seconds.

Until it goes in storage the start temp is basically the outside temp.

 

[rickd62]

Thanks for all of the input!!