Cold Start Commando 1975

I have a 75 Norton Commando 850. Mikuni 34mm carb. This puppy won't start cold w/out starting fluid. Compression both cylinders 125+ cold and throttle closed. Once warm starts so easy I am amazed. Runs great...HELP.

One may want to confirm that the enrichener is clear. This basically opens a hole to allow gas to come pouring in. If blocked or restricked, bike will not start cold.

If you have the metal lever, there is a detent that can lose its function because tightening the screw that holds it pulls it to one side. Tweak it back, if needed, to make the lever stay. Sit Booboo, sit.

On the other hand, if you have the button that you pull up, there is little if enything that goes wrong. You should feel the detent quite positively.

Like start (ha) by dropping the bowl and cleaning out the pilot jet. New plugs.Battery age/health ? Are you using the choke lever ? That choke is huge so get off it fast .

I just got it started using starting foray but after 5 minutes of running my right hand muffler exhaust is still cold WTF.

on a mikuni you should also have the throttle closed with the choke lever up when starting cold- if you open the throttle it essentially negates the choke function - you can also try setting pilot enrichment screw a bit richer (screw it in a hair) and try raise the idle screw a bit higher, as this some times help too

capehorner said:

I just got it started using starting foray but after 5 minutes of running my right hand muffler exhaust is still cold WTF.

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fouled plug no doubt (or bad plug wire etc etc)
this always makes it a bitch to start :shock:

capehorner said:

I just got it started using starting foray but after 5 minutes of running my right hand muffler exhaust is still cold WTF.

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Just wait till you get that other side going. You won't believe difference. It'll almost double the power.