Need a bit of advise for my Kawasaki Drifter

[LastGoodUserName]

I've got a 79 Kawasaki Drifter 340 I picked up about a month of ago that's mint. Absolutely beautiful sled bit of course when I got it there was no snow to try it out on but it started first pull and ran and idled good. Got it home, looked it over and all was good and put it away to wait for snow.

Got it out the other day and it ran fine for about 15 mins, shut it off and fueled it up and when I tried to start it again I couldn't get it to run no matter what. Figured I flooded it so I pulled the plugs and held it wide open and pulled it over a bunch of times, put it back together and still nothing. Waited for the engine to get cold and started first pull again and ran good. Rode it down to the shop again today and started and ran fine over here but soon as I let off the throttle to open the door it stalled and wouldn't start again. Have 125-130psi compression on both cylinders and I know crank seals could be an issue on these but they were replaced two years ago.

So what would make it start and run fine cold, but not idle or start hot?

Forgive me, I know my way around a diesel with my eyes closed but two stroke gas engines are a bit of a learning experience for me. Thanks, Dave

 

[crashnbash]

Check the choke. It may be stuck on.

 

[mtncat1]

have you checked the spark when it's not starting ?

 

[Coldfinger]

If not the choke, is the carb float level too high? It gets the extra fuel it needs for starting but after warmed up it is running too rich.

When trying to start after it is hot, are the plug/s wet?

 

[LastGoodUserName]

Yes, it has spark when it won't start.

I'm going to head over to the shop now, I will check the choke, never thought of it staying on. I will also look at the float level. When I pulled the plugs out after it wouldn't start the plugs smelled like gas and were a bit wet.

Got to fix it tonight, I thought just for fun I'd throw it on Kijiji (Canadian Craigslist basically) for 1500 (twice what I paid) and if someone wants it then I'll buy something with more power. Didn't figure I'd have so many guys messaging me, ones coming tomorrow morning so I better have it ready to go.