[crfsonly]

Absolutely an open hot start plunger will cause cold starting issues. A cold motor wants a rich mixture which the choke accomplishes. A hot motor wants a lean mixture which is what the hot start accomplishes. So, with the plunger open it was leaning out the mixture...just the opposite of what a cold motor needs. So, good find and fix. If you don't already have one get our billet aluminum hot start nut. The stock nut is plastic and prone to break causing these types of issues.

Yes, you can always run it until the valves move making it difficult to start. The only problem with this philosophy is it will determine for you when you can't ride your bike instead of you determining when. If you have a race or epic ride coming up it's best to pick the best time to resolve valve issues.

Ken

[Dj716]

Awesome info Ken- thx. That's exactly what I needed.

I'm thinking that hot start nut is a must. It doesn't look as pretty as it did at the start of the repair and is sort of beat looking now. That billet one looks like it would install more securely.

The other reason I'm thinking maybe it was an issue with the hot start was that my idle was way off when it warmed up completely. I remember setting it pretty low the last time I had it going and today the idle was way up there.

Do you think with that tight exhaust clearance I'm on the verge of wrecking the head? If so I can try to get the right shim locally in a day or two (I'm ordering the Hotcams shim kit next week I think) and make it safer. I'm still going to build up that '07 head I have but know I couldn't get it out to you, built back up, and installed in time for an event I'd love to ride in two weeks.

Thanks again for all your input and the input from everybody that responded. This site is great and I'm excited to get this maintainence out of the way and get back in the dirt! To think I was contemplating taking all that crazy advice from all those people saying to sell it/part it and just get a two-stroke.

[crfsonly]

Some will set the clearances on the tight side believing it reduces seat wear. So, as long as you aren't having any starting issues and you have clearance you should be fine.

Glad we all could be of help you. Thank you everyone to contributed!

Ken