First question…

[MendoCT]

I got my '24 CT125 used...but with 286 miles. I would think it would leap to life with a stab of the button, but it takes two stabs, first is crank, crank, crank..second is crank, ignition.
is this normal? Starts first stab when warm. I have yet to check the plug. I would think maybe the timing was a bit off, or plug dirty, but it runs great.
I am going to do the first oil change at 600 miles, first purchase was a skid plate and magnetic drainplug.
it came with the handlebar brace, center rack, headlight guard, headlight rack, Shinko tires, and the USB port. He threw in a sweet bag for the center rack too.

Thanks!

David

 

[RustyRodder]

sometimes it takes a moment for fuel to get up there. Do you let the pump fully prime before hitting the hot button?

 

[MendoCT]

sometimes it takes a moment for fuel to get up there. Do you let the pump fully prime before hitting the hot button?

that's right, not gravity feed any more. It did take a few kicks, I will keep futzing with it.
on another note, skid plate was unacceptable.
wouldn't fit without shimming out, and then blocked exhaust valve cap

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCW6QH2B?ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_fed_asin_title&th=1

 

[Cpd419]

Try a plug first. Sometimes dealers ride them short distances in and out of the showroom everyday for display and never let them warm up fully. They go through a lot of plugs like that.

 

[vintagegarage]

(ed.) but it takes two stabs, first is crank, crank, crank. .second is crank, ignition. is this normal? (ed.)

David

No, that is not normal. It should start on the first stab, almost instantly, just as yours does when warm.

 

[MendoCT]

ok, starting issue is the kickstart too
one detail I forgot to mention is the PO had race gas in it. I just put a half gallon of unleaded on top of it.

David

 

[BlewByU]

drain or burn what is left in the tank. Heck it's a new to you get out of the garage and ride it.

High octane sounds good, but these little put puts don't have the compression, or piston diameter to need it.

Betting the next tank and or the charging of the battery on the ride fixes it

 

[MendoCT]

I’ve got about 60 miles on it, but it’ll not be a problem to ride it!

 

[Low-gear]

Ambient temps make a big difference for me. Much easier first starts when it’s warm out.

There also a good chance the gas in it is almost two years old.

 

[MendoCT]

the PO was going to tear it all apart, do a big bore kit, paint it baby blue, and give it to his girlfriend, but she said she didn't like it.
it is entirely possible its old gas.

 

[jBIRDt]

When I manually kick start my trail I first heavy tap the lever (with foot) then one step down & running. Electric starts in about one revolution after fuel pump pressures up.

 

[MendoCT]

drain or burn what is left in the tank. Heck it's a new to you get out of the garage and ride it.

High octane sounds good, but these little put puts don't have the compression, or piston diameter to need it.

Betting the next tank and or the charging of the battery on the ride fixes it

Good call on battery. I thought the 60 miles would bring it up, but it did need a charge. With the center rack, that is kind of a PIA! I always put a battery tender type lead on the batteries of all the rigs. Spins right over now, started after 2-3 turns. I think fresh gas will do the trick. Time to Ride!

 

[Kev250R]

I got my '24 CT125 used...but with 286 miles. I would think it would leap to life with a stab of the button, but it takes two stabs, first is crank, crank, crank..second is crank, ignition.
is this normal? Starts first stab when warm. I have yet to check the plug. I would think maybe the timing was a bit off, or plug dirty, but it runs great.
I am going to do the first oil change at 600 miles, first purchase was a skid plate and magnetic drainplug.
it came with the handlebar brace, center rack, headlight guard, headlight rack, Shinko tires, and the USB port. He threw in a sweet bag for the center rack too.

Thanks!

David

I have a '21 Trail with about 1,500 miles on it. When cold mine spins over 2-4 times (crank, crank, etc) with the electric Starter before it lights off. Has done that consistently for the three years I've owned it. Generally starts on the first kick, sometimes second when I use the Kick Starter. Starts immediately on the Electric Starter when warm. I think it's normal as my Honda Dax takes sometimes as many as five rotations of the Starter to light-off.

I don't do it but a lot of MC riders will use Race Gas in their bikes, even if the bike doesn't call for it as it doesn't go bad as fast as our normal Ethanol-laced pump gas does. I run mix StaBil fuel stabilizer in my gas on my MC's and ATV's and haven't had any problems.

 

[MendoCT]

I have a '21 Trail with about 1,500 miles on it. When cold mine spins over 2-4 times (crank, crank, etc) with the electric Starter before it lights off. Has done that consistently for the three years I've owned it. Generally starts on the first kick, sometimes second when I use the Kick Starter. Starts immediately on the Electric Starter when warm. I think it's normal as my Honda Dax takes sometimes as many as five rotations of the Starter to light-off.

I don't do it but a lot of MC riders will use Race Gas in their bikes, even if the bike doesn't call for it as it doesn't go bad as fast as our normal Ethanol-laced pump gas does. I run mix StaBil fuel stabilizer in my gas on my MC's and ATV's and haven't had any problems.

Thanks, Kev!
I have a half tank of fresh unleaded in it and it does seem a bit more lively. The fully charged battery spins it about twice as fast now, and it fires like yours, crank, crank, cra-ignition
This week I am going to do the Mendo County loop I like the best, Mendo>Branscomb>Laytonville>Leggett>Mendo.
Thats a fun one! LOTS of curves, this thing loves 3rd in lots of corners.
141 miles....damn! I'll need gas!

 

[George S.]

Charge the battery and put a tender on it and keep an eye on it.
If it were me, first thing I would have done, especially since you think it probably sat a while, would have been to siphon the gas out and right into my truck‘s tank. Or if it is easier, into a gas can and then into your car or truck. Still a good idea to do it now.
Gas *starts* going bad after only 3 to 4 weeks. And kept sitting it’ll eventually become varnish.

 

[MendoCT]

The '82 CT could sit for months and fire first or second kick, battery stone dead.
I did not think that it had sat that long but the battery was pretty depleted.
I might just do that siphon trick, I have done that in the past.