[ddhiatt]

My 2000 yr Intruder 800 Coughs and Spits for about 5 min. when I start it cold.When it gets hot it Idles and Runs great when it gets warmed up.I have tried new plugs although the old ones are very clean and a nice light tan in color.I have tried a higher grade of gas also.It starts well but just takes forever to start running right.
This bike only has 2200 miles on it.Someone must have come across this problem as many years as this bike has been out?
Thanks
Dardoo

 

[DrBob]

As water-cooled twins, VS800s are just sort of cold blooded by design, as it takes a while for the motor to warm up with all that cold water in it- not much you can do about it.
Make sure the choke is adjusted correctly, and use it correctly. It should stay anyplace you put it, not just all the way out or all the way in. If it doesn't, grab the black rubber grommet around the choke knob shaft and turn it clockwise as tight as you can, which will increase the drag on the choke and make it stay put. Pull the choke out all the way to start the beast, then push it in until it idles without racing too badly. You can go ahead a drive with the choke part way out, and then push it in as the bike warms up, or when you get to the open road and need full throttle, whichever comes first.
You will appreciate the water cooling in the summer heat though, so it is worth putting up with the cold-blooded nature of the bike.

 

[ddhiatt]

Cold Natured Intruder 800

This is more than a cold motor,because I have a Kawasaki watercooled 4 that will almost climb a wall cold and never miss a lick.
My local Mech. says probably partly blocked jets from setting in the winter.He suggest carb cleaner in the gas first before taking the carbs apart.They sold me Klotz Octane Booster which is also a carb cleaner.
The instructions say 16oz in the tank then turns around and says good for up to 22gal.I am at a loss to know how much to put in?Has anybody used this cleaner before? I don't want to damage the carbs.I have a friend that says carb cleaner never solves this problem?
Thanks Dardoo

 

[ddhiatt]

Dr. Bob
I notice you said to put the choke in one notch till the engine does not race to bad.This bike never goes on fast idle?I did not know it was supposed to?Maybe thats my problem?
Dardoo

 

[DrBob]

Engine RPM should increase when you pull the choke out. If it does not, your choke cable is either broken, detatched, or very badly out of adjustment.
My VS800 has always been cold blooded, as even on a 100 degree day it needs to warm up for 30 seconds or so before I drive it, but even on the coldest days about 3 minutes is enough warm up time for it to drive smoothly.

 

[ddhiatt]

Cold natured 800 Intruder

Dr. Bob;
Problem solved-Thanks for due to your help I found out what was wrong.The choke was stopping before it was all the way out.I found out that if I really got serious with it and pulled on it harder it would come out about 1/2 inch more.
I found out that a person can be both embarrassed and happy at the same time.I would like to give this case a more important name than wimpy rider.How about Pilot Fatigue.
Dardoo