Skorpion starting problems

[ralf]

For 15 years I've had starting problems on my 1995 Skorpion Tour. If I left it more than about 10 days it wouldn't start and the engine would simply churn over and over and over....... so much so that it's credit to the starter motor that it's still working. I've tried everything, new plugs, carb strips too many to mention etc. Cutting a very long story short, this winter I laid the bike up for the first time and winterised it, draining the carbs, a bit of oil in the plug holes etc. When I came to start it after five months, full of dread, I opened the fuel tap ( I've got it on gravity feed, no fuel pump) , operated the choke, hit the starter and it started, first push. Since then I've drained the carb after every ride and when I come to start it again it goes, first push. So what happens to fuel standing in the carb float bowl that doesn't happen to it in the tank? I don't know, all I can say is that draining the carb works for me.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

the ethanol in the gas drys up and the fuel will not fire ..my rt125 has this problem
it i use real gas in it it starts and runs fine but with junk gas about 2 days and its a no starter
till you re-prime the carb been a problem for me since they changed to the junk goosolene

[ralf]

My 500R doesn't suffer in the same way, leave that as long as you want and it will start. I get the point about ethanol in modern fuel but the Skorpion is the only machine I have which seems affected like this. Even my mowing machine starts easily!!

[dickl]

I agree, the solution is to drain the carbs before you park the bike up at the end of the day's riding. I found this out the hard way with both my Skorpions. I worked out by trial and error where I should turn the fuel off when nearing home, and made sure by leaving the bike(s) to run dry. It was only a matter of 20/30 seconds, so no issues with overheating. Next time (each time!), turn the fuel on, touch of choke and BINGO - I'm starting to miss my Skorpions!
Dickl

[tigcraft]

When I bought my Skorpion years ago the previous owner told me ‘ put choke on and give the starter a small burst then wait a few seconds and knock choke off then properly start it without choke till it fires then feather the choke back in to keep it running’. It’s always worked and I never questioned it.

[lavrentyuk]

My Sport has always behaved like this - hence the handy float drain screw.

I acquired a cheap Tour a couple of weeks ago on the basis it wouldn't start. If I'm lucky it will be the same problem.

If I can be bothered then running with closed fuel taps for the last period certainly helps, alternatively just riding the thing.

The other option is the water in the fuel tank issue.

Fingers crossed.

[KevinLS]

OK I'm going to try the running the float bowl dry trick. I've had the same issue with mine for many years, I ditched the fuel pump and changed the pilot jet to no real effect and finally took to carrying a syringe with me which I used to flood the carb whenever I left the bike for more than a couple of days. It's a bloody daft thing to have to do, but I couldn't find an alternative. The tank already has the ethanol pox so already I'm not too enamoured of that particular additive.

[breakwellmz]

Yep, just switch the fuel tap off just before you stop and let it run until it falters if you aren`t going to use it for a week or more.

[DAVID THOMPSON]

with my rt125 its about 2 days and lean it against a telephone pole and drain the bowl
every time you fill up or about 2 blocks down the road it will die from the junk in the bowl
dave

[Ally]

turn the fuel tap off and run the bike until it stalls

when starting, tap on, clean fuel and starts no problem

[DAVID THOMPSON]

on mine if you fuel up or go on reserve you better drain the bowl
or it will be a fight to make it run
dave

where i live is where they ship ALL the bad gas