R26 hard to start when cold

[Steve]

Hello My R26 is becoming hard to start when it is cold, sometimes taking many attempts to start it. When it is running it goes fine and it starts relatively easy when it has warmed up. Any suggestions

[Allan Atherton]

If it starts easily when warmed up but not when cold, then perhaps your starting "drill" is not getting the mixture correct for cold starting.

I turn the petcock on, depress the tickler while counting slowly to three, open the throttle a little, and give two slow kicks to prime the cylinder . Then I turn on the ignition, open the throttle a little again, and give a hard kick immediately followed by a second hard kick if needed.

[Alan Davies]

Hi,
I find, along with Mr Atherton's starting drill suggestion, that my battery has to be in absolute top condition otherwise it's a no go.
Alan