Hi to all. I have a big problem, my bike just will not start . i have set the float , checked the spark and changed one coil, cleaned the carb`s , replaced the ignition box and i am bussy with the ignition timing. set it to LF mark. distributor is directly on the other point so i moved it back about 5 mm and got a little better response from the bike. any advice please
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Getting bike to start
- Thread starter Lukas
- Start date
Charles
XS400 Addict
Did you not like the suggestions in your other thread?
mogie
XS400 Enthusiast
If you remove the spark plugs, make sure they are clean and dry, replace them, petcock valve on, choke pulled out, press starter for a few 5 seconds or so, if it does not fire remove both plugs. Are they wet with fuel now?
Hi Charls/Mogie
Charls
Yes i did like it and i did do it previously and no progress . i downloaded the manual and worked very strick acording to the manual. but no luck.
Mogie
Thanx for the suggestion. previosly it was wet when i puled the plugs , so i looked up what the setting`s must be and adjusted the floate`s 32mm as was suggested. i did cleane the carburators. and did set the ignition timeing to the manual. i do have spark on both coil`s and i have electronic point`s. do you have any other suggestions for me.
Charls
Yes i did like it and i did do it previously and no progress . i downloaded the manual and worked very strick acording to the manual. but no luck.
Mogie
Thanx for the suggestion. previosly it was wet when i puled the plugs , so i looked up what the setting`s must be and adjusted the floate`s 32mm as was suggested. i did cleane the carburators. and did set the ignition timeing to the manual. i do have spark on both coil`s and i have electronic point`s. do you have any other suggestions for me.
mogie
XS400 Enthusiast
did you check to see if the correct cylinder is firing? make sure someone didn't disconnect the coils and reconnect them to the wrong connector in the harness. the left coil could be trying to fire the right cylinder and vise versa
mogie
XS400 Enthusiast
Please do I am curious.
Hi mogie
I have switched the coil wiring around still no luck . it back fired true the carb`s . guess its back to sq1. the carburetor diaframe has got two small holes in them and i have sealed them up . i think that i`m going to order them and redo the hole carb. start at the beginning
lukas
I have switched the coil wiring around still no luck . it back fired true the carb`s . guess its back to sq1. the carburetor diaframe has got two small holes in them and i have sealed them up . i think that i`m going to order them and redo the hole carb. start at the beginning
lukas
You need a compression gauge from an auto parts store. Some may rent them out or loan them, but they are not too expensive to buy either. Make sure the tester has an M14 attachment, but I am sure all must. This is a very common spark plug size.
Make sure the bike is off, the spark plugs are removed, and the throttle is wide open when testing (while turning the engine over). Taking the carbs off would also work.
You screw in the tester and turn the engine over; the kick start works well as it won't kill the battery. I kick the engine about 10 or 15 times per side. This is a dry test.
For a wet test you simply add something like a teaspoon of oil through the spark plug holes before installing the tester and kicking the engine over.
You want something like 150 psi per side.
If the compression is low during a dry test, but improves or becomes normal during a wet test the piston rings are the problem.
If the compression is low during a wet and dry test the valves are probably the problem.
Those are the simplest scenarios. This testing is important to rule these problems out or identify them if they exist. If you don't have high enough compression the bike will not start, but it may pop, sputter, and backfire.
Make sure the bike is off, the spark plugs are removed, and the throttle is wide open when testing (while turning the engine over). Taking the carbs off would also work.
You screw in the tester and turn the engine over; the kick start works well as it won't kill the battery. I kick the engine about 10 or 15 times per side. This is a dry test.
For a wet test you simply add something like a teaspoon of oil through the spark plug holes before installing the tester and kicking the engine over.
You want something like 150 psi per side.
If the compression is low during a dry test, but improves or becomes normal during a wet test the piston rings are the problem.
If the compression is low during a wet and dry test the valves are probably the problem.
Those are the simplest scenarios. This testing is important to rule these problems out or identify them if they exist. If you don't have high enough compression the bike will not start, but it may pop, sputter, and backfire.
