|
6 Dec 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
XT600E questions
Hi,
I've had my XT600e '03 for a month or two now and have a couple of questions about it. The only other bike I've owned was an Enfield Bullet which was a very different animal!
First off, the bike can take a few attempts to start from stone cold, sometimes it fires up for a second then dies. Once it has warmed up it runs fine and starts no problem if it's been run within the last hour or two. What could be the reason for this? It also smokes from the exhaust for a while on start up. I recently discovered the bike had been overfilled with engine oil by the dealer I got it from, so oil changed it yesterday to the correct level. Perhaps this will stop it smoking and maybe sort the start up problems?
The other thing is that when I turn the engine off there is a quite audible 'clunk' from the engine, is this normal?
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
|
6 Dec 2005
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
|
|
Hey Matt,
Big (600) singles tend to have trouble starting from cold. Nothing to worry about in my experience. Maybe there's some oil in the air filter (not sure where the overflow goes on an XT)? Also they may have over-oiled the air filter (is it a paper or foam?). Is it smoke, or water vapour, at the exhaust? White or blue?
The clunk is normal too.
cheers,
|
6 Dec 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
Hi Dougie,
The smoke is whitish grey, I thought perhaps it was the excess oil being burnt off in the cylinder?
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
|
7 Dec 2005
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 762
|
|
this time of year (and the weather at the moment, damp-ish and cold) most likely to be condensation. Keep an eye on the oil level though, just in case. Oil tends to have a blue-ish tint, and you'd smell it (if it was excessive).
by the way, where did you get the aluminium sheet for your home-made panniers? thinking of bodging some and need to get some.
cheers,
|
7 Dec 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
There's an aluminium stock holders in Glasgow. I'll try and find the details of the place for you.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
|
7 Dec 2005
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: london england
Posts: 56
|
|
Hi douge b hows it going, i've just made my panniers out of 2mm ali and there pritty dam impressive, made them with a rubber mallet, a drill and about 200 rivets. cost me about 130 quid to make with a bit of sweat and sreaming but they came out well, Dam things are bullet proof. If you want the sizes get back to me.
cheers
|
8 Dec 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: May 2003
Location: England
Posts: 106
|
|
Matt - my '03XT600E gives a fairly audible clonk when I turn it off.It seems normal (been discussed on here before I think) - I don't know what it is. My bike starts fine every time hot or cold - but needs choke if at all cold. If your smoke is white/grey and doesn't smell of anything but "normal" exhaust smell I would suggest condensation - especially this time of year.
|
8 Dec 2005
|
Registered Users
HUBB regular
|
|
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Inverness Scotland
Posts: 30
|
|
Sounds just like my '02 XT600e.
Usually starts ok as long as you don't leave it too long between runs and always use full choke from cold. If it doesn't start after a few seconds wait a wee bit and repeat. This works for me.
You will probably find some oil residue in the air filter box but I would guess you will find the element clean. As others have said mostly condensation for first few minutes and then clears.
Always get a good clunk when switching off the engine; sometimes some strange sounds on starting as well!!
Cheers - Dave
|
8 Dec 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Stockholm
Posts: 651
|
|
Clonk: it is the starter gear of the electric start. It is a big gear wheel behind the flywheel which has a freewheel. When the engine runs it turns just a bit slower than the crank. When you kill the ignition the engine stops pretty harshly at top dead center, the gear tries to move the crank as it moved just a bit slower than the crank and hits the stopped crank. That's the clonk. No worries, all e-start XT6's do this.
Auke
|
8 Dec 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
Cheers guys! I feel much better for having read this!
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
|
9 Dec 2005
|
|
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Edinburgh, Lothian, Scotland
Posts: 1,350
|
|
DougieB,
I've done a bit of checking and am fairly sure the following is the place:
Richard Austin Alloys
Easter Queenslie Industrial Estate
Dunivaig Rd
Glasgow
I'll be able to check this at the end of next week but not before (it's complicated!). The stuff you need is called 'half-hard', probably 2mm I'd say.
Matt
__________________
http://adventure-writing.blogspot.com
http://scotlandnepal.blogspot.com/
*Disclaimer* - I am not saying my bike is better than your bike. I am not saying my way is better than your way. I am not mocking your religion/politics/other belief system. When reading my post imagine me sitting behind a frothing pint of ale, smiling and offering you a bag of peanuts. This is the sentiment in which my post is made. Please accept it as such!
|
10 Dec 2005
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: sunny England
Posts: 790
|
|
my XT600E does exactly the same thing, doesnt want to start in the cold, fires up on choke but dies after a couple of seconds, and does that a couple of times before running. once the engines got a few degrees c into it its fine.
also does the "clunk" when you turn off. thats just a big piston giving up the ghost when you take away its petrol and spark, hitting the "squeeze" phase of the 4t cycle. dont worry about it.
welcome to big single ownership!
------------------
dave
__________________
dave
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Next HU Events
ALL Dates subject to change.
2025 Confirmed Events:
- Virginia: April 24-27 2025
- Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
- Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
- CanWest: July 10-13 2025
- Switzerland: Date TBC
- Ecuador: Date TBC
- Romania: Date TBC
- Austria: Sept. 11-15
- California: September 18-21
- France: September 19-21 2025
- Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025
Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!
Questions about an event? Ask here
See all event details
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.
Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!
Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook
"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|