Hope someone can help!
A65 (1962 so v early unit), always v difficult to start, so I fitted 12v and electronic ignition (Wassell). Got it going (with help from an earlier post on this forum) but still hard to start, so splashed out on new Monobloc - so nothing blocked etc. After a lot of trying it fired up once but since then nothing. Plugs are getting 'wet' so there is fuel. Air screw at 2 turns out and have played around with throttle stop. I see a spark and have checked static timing several times. Unfortunately there is no slot for the TDC timing key on this early model but even if not perfect it is close (aiming for 34 before TDC). Kick start does sometimes kick back so I have played around with the timing a little but just refuses to fire up. Have left it a few times as thought it might be flooding, so tried with throttle closed and slightly open (and as I said have adjusted the throttle stop).
Is it possible coils are failing? Not sure what a good spark looks like. Or maybe an issue with the leads?
Any advice most gratefully received!
Cheers,
Stuart.
How's your battery? What's the voltage read?
As Nanonevol says, check your battery, I have Wassell EI and if the battery is not 100% good and charged, it just will not go, it will pop,bang,spit back and of course soak the plugs. Try jump starting it off a good battery.
Thanks Gents, battery is new and showing 12.2v. I installed this as part of the 12v upgrade and also a new Rectifier/Regulator. I'm wondering if I messed up something but it has run so can't be too fundamental,
cheers.
Possibly modern non-glazed spark plugs have soaked up conductive "fuel" when wetted during starting attempts. I don't think they would be recoverable if that's the case, would need old type glazed nose type.
Whilst batteries are nominally 12V a new battery should be more like 12.6V - 12.8V if fully charged. Not sure if that would make the difference but worth a check
So the bike was hard to start and you've got a new ignition and carb and it's still hard to start. Hmmm.
Are you getting any sign of ignition? Any popping or almost starting?
If your spark looks weak it will be even worse under compression. You should see a fat blue spark.
When flooded, try starting with the throttle full open. That should clear out the gas a bit and just might start it.
What do you have for coils?
Condensers good?
Keep at it!
Thanks Gents for your suggestions. Battery was c12.6 - probably down a bit given the hours of attempted starts!
Nanonevol, to answer your questions, sometimes a sign of a kick back and almost firing. The spark is clearly visible but I've not got reference to compare re. if it looks weak or normal. Coils are old - how old I don't know but they are the 1 and 7/8" diameter type. Electronic ignition means no condensers (and should mean reliable starting!).
It was a poor starter even before I replaced Ignition/Battery and Carb - so in terms of what's left, its coils/leads plugs - so I could throw more money at it and replace these as well.
I don't think the issue is mechanical.
if it was hard to start before, what is the compression like? valves and seats or rings? had this recently with a XS500, not used for 11 years and rings gummed up, a flush with an additive cleaner and compression was 50/120 is now 130/120, the right pot fired, the left wouldnt, now as per figures the left pot is better than the right one. saved me a strip down and a hunt for no longer available parts.