[Roger]

I recently purchased a 2006 CRF and drove 3 1/2 hrs one way to get it. The bike was presented as "Like New, Stock and hardly ridden" (NOT! Tires and chains were badly worn and there were heavy gouges in the rims). It was supposed to have included all the paperwork and title (Not! MSO is all, and the bike was never titled). Had I not drove that far and invested all the time and energy going to the bank and gas and all I would not have bought the bike. I was just too excited about getting a bike again. Anyhow here I am......The bike starts hard when it is cold (My first clue should have been when I showed up and he was standing there in regular clothes and one MX boot on his right foot with the bike all warmed up) and now I am nervous that the engine has more time than presented. What things can I do now (that my head is back on) to make sure I dont ride this thing till she blows? I know the first thing is check my valves and compression but what next? What should the compression be? Any help would be appreciated.

[Asmith]

Change the fluids, check the valves and if they require shimming, report back on which shims were removed.

That will tell us how many times they've been shimmed and how close you are to a valve job.

Compression should be 58 psi.

A leak down test will yield more information than a compression test will.

[ThumperX]

Leak down will tell you everything... If it blows through the air filter i'd be making a few phone calls.

[redrider911]

Four strokes hate the cold. Jet it properly. Choke it, pump the gas 10 times and kick. Each bike has it's own personality when it comes to starting. I would try this before tearing everything down. I haven't adjusted my valves with +35 hours on it.

[Monkeywrench]

Four strokes hate the cold. Jet it properly. Choke it, pump the gas 10 times and kick. Each bike has it's own personality when it comes to starting.

Definately agree. Have ridden with guys who have virtually the same setup, even down to the air filter, exhaust, and handgrips! But for whatever reason, tuning a bike so that it starts easily seems like a very custom thing to that bike, that setup, that carb, engine, etc.

Beings it's that time of year - you might benefit from throwing aside anything the seller told you, and going over the bike 1 zip code at a time. I'd honestly yank the carb for a good cleaning... or at the very least, the jets - to clear them out with compressed air. Also have a look see at his settings. Did he change main jet/pilot jet from stock? Move the needle clip? Mess with accelerator pump timing?

On a simpler thought: you might also try raising up your idle a bit for the winter. Went out for a ride at the track back around the holidays and was kicking my ankle off. Reached down and upped the idle about 1/4 turn and she came to life on the next kick. Been decent since.

Good luck with your '06. That's a great bike.