I might add that with earplugs and a helmet and being a bit hard of hearing to start with, I use the compression release because it works every time for me...and I'm 60 years old so kicking it more than twice requires a nap. :)
Earlier models this is what we were told to do by AL Bakers XR's only back in the day ( of course at first i didn't heed the advice to the step #1): 1. Throw away the decompression lever and cable (unless you are weak :) ) 2. Bring kick start lever to top dead center ....when you hear the first *click* 3. NO GAS ON THROTTLE! 4. Kick it like you mean it If you do this correctly, you will start your bike in the dead of winter like I have, 5 kicks tops. Larger pilot jet helps too.
decompression lever lowers the pressure on starter segment when using kickstart and you should not by able to start the bike easily if everything (comp., clearances etc.) is as it should be. then the segment is more likely to break.
if you start the bike as you write a "click" behind TDC there´s no risk of kickback.
thanks for the reply. I have the first model year 1985 XR 600R which I bought brand new back in May 85. Still runs strong and is a BEAST. Preventive maintenance is a wonderful thing :)
hey, oldschool double carburetors :) 85-88 models had two decompression levers - auto and manual if i´m not mistaken. friend of mine has 87 XR and its running pretty good. but engine inside is a lot different from 89+ models
I believe it was 85-87. In 88 alot of things were changed on the bike. 85-87 bikes were identical except I think the 87 no longer had the digital speedo, not sure. From 88 onwards, the bike was very different. It dropped a carb, frame geometry was changed and used a nikasil plated cylinder if I am not mistaken. I had ridden the 1990 XR 600, mine has a bit more top end. Could be due to the dual carbs. SIngle carb is better for maintenance reasons. 2 carb setup was better for top speed.
I got more cooling results from wrapping the header back to where it connects with the muffler with heat wrap than anything. All the heat goes out the muffler then.
What if you remove the choke butterfly valve?it takes me half an hour to an hour on a cold morning!!!!!!!!amd the compression lever is rather hard to notice when its ready....
Push kickstart until it stops. Then pull in compression lever and push kick start lever only a small amount. Release compression lever. Bring kickstart up to top and kick hard. Without choke butterfly it will be difficult on cold morning always.
I have had it for 5 years now,second owner,no big problems,low mileage,just the butterfly valve removed as it got sucked doing 140kph for 1.5 hours flat!!!!!
Beautiful bike,dont know about the 650..is it worth it?
I removed the decompression lever and cable on my 1985 XR 600 .........BACK in 1985, why?, because keeping them ON made it NOTORIOUSLY dangerous for serious kickback. My buddy told me to do it and i didnt listen. 3 weeks after i bought the bike, i got a kickback you wouldn't believe. My right knee smashed into my thumb so hard that it was swollen for 2 weeks. It was a miracle i didn't break my thumb. But what PAIN! LOL, just thought i'd share that even though this is a diff bike.
XR's have an automatic decompression too, I think. but I find it easier to clear out the gas when I crash and the bike is down for a bit and fllooded by holding the comprression lever in and the throttle wide open while kicking it over several times.
It's a 1994 XR600R. The secret is to bring engine up to TDC, pull in the compression release lever, push kick start lever about 10degrees, release compression release lever, kick. Choke as needed for engine temperature, none needed if engine is warm.
I might add that with earplugs and a helmet and being a bit hard of hearing to start with, I use the compression release because it works every time for me...and I'm 60 years old so kicking it more than twice requires a nap. :)
wcwiegman 1 year ago 3
That is a 4.0 clarke or ims gas tank ? looks good...
cul045 2 years ago
i love the magic E button on my 650L
Davec775 2 years ago
xD me too ...
ihatemyusernamexD 2 years ago
Earlier models this is what we were told to do by AL Bakers XR's only back in the day ( of course at first i didn't heed the advice to the step #1): 1. Throw away the decompression lever and cable (unless you are weak :) ) 2. Bring kick start lever to top dead center ....when you hear the first *click* 3. NO GAS ON THROTTLE! 4. Kick it like you mean it If you do this correctly, you will start your bike in the dead of winter like I have, 5 kicks tops. Larger pilot jet helps too.
MrSkaramanga 2 years ago 2
decompression lever lowers the pressure on starter segment when using kickstart and you should not by able to start the bike easily if everything (comp., clearances etc.) is as it should be. then the segment is more likely to break.
if you start the bike as you write a "click" behind TDC there´s no risk of kickback.
(my bikes XR600R y89, XLR250R y86, DR650R y95)
hans1111985 2 years ago
thanks for the reply. I have the first model year 1985 XR 600R which I bought brand new back in May 85. Still runs strong and is a BEAST. Preventive maintenance is a wonderful thing :)
EIGHTIESmusicguy 2 years ago
hey, oldschool double carburetors :) 85-88 models had two decompression levers - auto and manual if i´m not mistaken. friend of mine has 87 XR and its running pretty good. but engine inside is a lot different from 89+ models
hans1111985 2 years ago
I believe it was 85-87. In 88 alot of things were changed on the bike. 85-87 bikes were identical except I think the 87 no longer had the digital speedo, not sure. From 88 onwards, the bike was very different. It dropped a carb, frame geometry was changed and used a nikasil plated cylinder if I am not mistaken. I had ridden the 1990 XR 600, mine has a bit more top end. Could be due to the dual carbs. SIngle carb is better for maintenance reasons. 2 carb setup was better for top speed.
EIGHTIESmusicguy 2 years ago
@hans1111985. I know the 83 xl600r I had a manual and auto decompression levers.
mtman85 1 year ago
I got more cooling results from wrapping the header back to where it connects with the muffler with heat wrap than anything. All the heat goes out the muffler then.
wcwiegman 3 years ago
Sorry for waiting so long...second gear gets really worn from all the torque if it was raced. Otherwise, bulletproof.
wcwiegman 3 years ago
What if you remove the choke butterfly valve?it takes me half an hour to an hour on a cold morning!!!!!!!!amd the compression lever is rather hard to notice when its ready....
ildizastro 3 years ago
Push kickstart until it stops. Then pull in compression lever and push kick start lever only a small amount. Release compression lever. Bring kickstart up to top and kick hard. Without choke butterfly it will be difficult on cold morning always.
wcwiegman 3 years ago
Now kicking hard....hehe,thanks though.
I have had it for 5 years now,second owner,no big problems,low mileage,just the butterfly valve removed as it got sucked doing 140kph for 1.5 hours flat!!!!!
Beautiful bike,dont know about the 650..is it worth it?
ildizastro 3 years ago
650 is same bike but with electric start and no kick-start lever so if battery is dead you are stuck!
wcwiegman 3 years ago
I removed the decompression lever and cable on my 1985 XR 600 .........BACK in 1985, why?, because keeping them ON made it NOTORIOUSLY dangerous for serious kickback. My buddy told me to do it and i didnt listen. 3 weeks after i bought the bike, i got a kickback you wouldn't believe. My right knee smashed into my thumb so hard that it was swollen for 2 weeks. It was a miracle i didn't break my thumb. But what PAIN! LOL, just thought i'd share that even though this is a diff bike.
MrSkaramanga 2 years ago
XR's have an automatic decompression too, I think. but I find it easier to clear out the gas when I crash and the bike is down for a bit and fllooded by holding the comprression lever in and the throttle wide open while kicking it over several times.
wcwiegman 2 years ago
Very good comment! I ONLY use my decomp. lever if i lay it over to clear out the gas. absolutely no need on normal start up.
Ollie9mm 2 years ago
PS> All sizes of Honda XR's start easily on the first kick using this procedure.
wcwiegman 3 years ago
okej :D
fredrik871223 3 years ago
cc please
fredrik871223 3 years ago
It's a 1994 XR600R. The secret is to bring engine up to TDC, pull in the compression release lever, push kick start lever about 10degrees, release compression release lever, kick. Choke as needed for engine temperature, none needed if engine is warm.
wcwiegman 3 years ago
@fredrik871223
wcwiegman 1 year ago
600cc
wcwiegman 1 year ago