hard starting when cold, or sitting for a week.
 

My 91 has always had a thing with starting when it is real cold outside, or if it has been sitting for a week or two. When it fires, it seems like it is running on one cyl. for a bit, then another comes in, then another, then number 4. Haven't really done much checking, but it is getting rather annoying. I always get it to start. Have any of you experienced this, or know where to start looking?

Where do you keep the bike, do you keep it on a trickle charger so the battery is full strength.

These old girls need a good fat charge to start.

As Hawk says... A good full battery is required. You also might want to go down the stick coil path. Renew those 25 year old electrics!

https://cbrforum.com/forum/how-tos-8...ensive-139800/

Cheers, SB

Thanks guys. I keep it in the garage, and the battery maintainer is on it if it is going to be over three days before I ride it. The battery is less than 6 months old. The stick coils may be the answer. Might be worth a try.

That might help with your problem, Seb does a great write-up.

Does it run fine once warmed up? When it's sitting for a long time fuel evaporates out of the carbs. what you're experiencing very well could be each cylinder kicking in as the carb fills to the correct fuel level. Idk about other hurricanes, but on mine the fuel pump doesnt start pumping until the starter is pressed and once the bike starts the fuel pump will continue running as needed. Most cars, when you turn the key to "on" the fuel pump primes the system. not the case with these bikes I don't think.

'91 doesn't have a fuel pump, it was deleted after 1988 in the UK. Could still be fuel evaporation though :icon_emm:

I've occasionally had similar symptoms from mine (5 of). These bikes like a healthy mixture & a fully charged battery (but they should start okay with some charge in the battery). If it's standard (exhaust/airbox etc) Start on the centre-stand and try to identify which cylinders are reluctant to fire properly (cheapo IR thermometers from china can be useful) Then work backwards with fresh plugs,carb clean,coil/wiring checks etc.

Might be worth checking the rubbery diaphrams in the carbs, hold them up to a strong light and check there are no perforations.

Almost certainly fuel evaporation given the symptoms described.