94 Suzuki Bandit 250 hard to start when cold.

[reece1804]

Hey guys.
We bought a 1994 Suzuki Bandit 250 the other day for my bro in law to learn on.
It wasn't running when we picked it up and needed a clutch cable and indicator that were both supplied.
So I got it home, drained the fuel tank and bowls, removed the plugs, cleaned the plugs and checked for spark while cranking (all ok)
Filled the tank with fresh fuel and tried to start it, no go. I removed the air box and sprayed some contact cleaner in the carbs while cranking,
still no go.
A mate came over and suggested we push start it even thought the started cranks over very well. So off we went
down my driveway and up the street coughing and spluttering (the bike and my mates pushing). After 20 mtrs or
so the engine fired up and ran on two cylinders for a bit before giving a puff of smoke and firing up on all four.
So I ran it around the block a few times and it ran better and better.
We have taken it on a few decent rides and have put around a hundred clicks on it.
All is ok except when the bike is cold it will not start using the starter, it will crank all day long but will not start.
I have tried the full range of choke settings, no choke, full throttle, no throttle, everything. It needs a small push
and a drop of the clutch and away it goes. Once it is warmed up it will start on the key every time.
I found that there is a vacuum leak post carbs by spraying some flammable spray near the intake manifold while
the bike is running and the RPM increases. I removed the carbs and put some sealant around the four intake
"donuts" that attach the carbs to the intake manifold/cylinder head. This did not fix the vacuum leak. Bugger!
I'm not sure if the vacuum leak and the hard start are related. I was thinking that as the carbs have vacuum
operated slides up stream of the throttle butterflies that they may not be opening when cranking the engine
using the starter. I don't know where I can buy the intake seals (donuts) if anyone knows could they please let
me know. Also if anyone has any other ideas please let me know.
Cheers Reece

[Scribble]

Can't help you with your problem unfortunately but I had one of these for my 250, awesome bikes, shit suspension. But don't give up trying to get it running, looks in fairly good nick.