86 Spree won't start with electric start when cold

[Gramps]

Hi,

I've got an 86 Honda Spree which works like a champ when I finally get it started. Problem is....it's a bear to get started. The battery is fully charged, the tank has "good" gas in it but when I try to start it with the electric starter it turns over, and over and over and over and never catches. The only way I can start it when its cold is by using the kick starter. Once it starts and runs for awhile and warms up it start just fine with the electric start. I've heard this is a common problem and I'm wondering if there are any solutions. I figure there are only three reasons an internal combustion engine won't work and that's fuel, air and spark. The plug is new and gapped correctly, the gas is good and the Spree runs just fine when warmed up so it's getting enough gas. Is is possible the air filter is clogged?

Comments and input very welcome.
V/R
Gramps

[zuphilius]

Did you check the bystarter for correct function?

[Gramps]

Can you talk me through what a "bystarter" is and how I would check it? Thanks very much.

[Wheelman-111]

Greetings:

The Bystarter is Honda's electrically heated automatic enrichener. It defaults to "On" position with the engine off. When the little brass cylinder retracts, it opens an auxiliary fuel and air passage which speeds up the idle a little. It also provides for a small reservoir of extra fuel, for a "prime" function. A heating coil warms it, and engine heat trapped in its plastic covers keeps it warm - thus disengaged - during short stops.

Noisy-Guy himself summarized its functions here.
this linkdescribes the bystarter teardown. Examine the cast-in cylinder in the carb body where it resides to determine the several "mini-jets" that can become clogged with fuel residue resins and clean those out along with the rest of the carb.

The assembly itself should be retracted when cold. ("Shrinkage..." ) When 12V DC is applied for a few minutes, it elongates by about 3-5mm, closing the circuits in the carb.