Hello..
I am a healthy (ish)70 year old in Mid Wales (tho I come from a hell of a lot nearer to Armoury Lane).
Having sold a boat that hung on for years, I bought a Victor 441R...great idea...except I am having trouble starting it.
It isn't the bike, it's me. I got hurt fairly badly once when a B25 kicked me back(the rotor was moving on the bush, I had timed it by strobe and found out the hard way). I seem to have muscle memory...The few times I have got this one going , was either luck or cheating...I squibbed it with easy start and kicked it with the decompressor in and it went. I know that is bad on many levels, but it started easily when dropped off with no fuss on the first kick and it had been in a van for 4 hours. So as I say, it isn't the bike although it is running a little rich. Is there a secret technique, do I need bigger balls or bigger boots?
Someone has suggested a Pazon..any other ideas? Is there any one near Devils Bridge to show me how? I have actually put it up for sale, but that feels like wimping out.
Im 60 and would I buy a Victor, probably not. Ive had bad kick backs from AJS 410 Stormers, Honda CR500, KAWA 500s. maybe if I had ridden them years ago yes a possibility.
My eldest bought a KTM450, hell of a knack to start, at 22 he at 6'6" couldnt start it, I rode it into work and on leaving ok, but a couple of bikers at work couldnt keep it running. the decision made to sell, buyer came along I started three times, he stalled three times, he finally kept it going and was happy and took it. two weeks later it was on ebay, he couldnt start it again and decided it was worth more for parts so he broke it.
I suspect as you have had a kick back once you are wary. try kicking a kx500 in slippers then do it again 10 mins later!! rotor key snapped..
are you getting it just over tdc, then giving it a good long boot?
Hello Chaz.yes, over tdc and as long a boot as I can (I am not wearing slippers..trainer boots! I have a pair of trainer safety shoes..I might give those a go).
As I said in my op, I don't think its the bike, though it is a bit rich. Someone suggested electronic ignition, I am looking into that.
might be a silly suggestion but how old is the fuel?
try draining the tank if old, possibly clean carb of old fuel and put a new plug in, has worked for me in the past
Its had new fuel (low ethanol..its glass fibre tank) and a new plug.
Put laces in the safety boots, and took it over tdc to the next resistance (what is that, exhaust opening?) and with a solid kick, it goes! More than once! So I rode it around a bit, stopped at a freinds down the road, and ...wouldn't go..it seemed to not have really gone over compression and the clutch was slipping as I tried to boot it...so I bumped it. Got back to the gate (5 bar farm gate) and got through that and shut it, but there are cows in the field and across the track so I decided to ride round them to avoid having to stop on the steep part of the track..they will move but they haven't seen the bike before...and managed to slide off on a slope.
No damage, its all grass (and probably cow shit)but of course, it stopped.
I wasn't that far up the slope, but it bumped easily at around 5 or 10 mph.
Then the cows (they were actually bulls on closer inspection)were still on the track, so I had to stop and wave them off anyway. Ho hum.
So that is a bit of progress.
sounds good then, just have to remember the sequence.
Ive got to be honest, I always wear safety shoes in the workshop or safety boots when riding. BUT starting a crosser...its mx boots all the time.
Ive had them kick back up the sole/heel, foot come off and scrape the shin or they kick and slap the back of the leg muscle all resulting in a good hooble for a couple of days.
Hello Chaz
Have you got points ignition? I had terrible problems with my B25 biting my ankle, which I traced to the points cam sticking in the fully advanced position. No matter what I did I could not stop it sticking. I eventually solved the problem by throwing the points away and fitting a Pazon electronic ignition. The difference is remarkable, it will even idle reliably at 750 RPM!
Best of luck
David
hi David
the A50 has Boyer, the A10 has a different system, notPazon or well known make, the T100 has points. The B40 is a way off yet, probably go for points down to cost. I was working on a XL185 Honda recently, difficult to start until I replaced the springs and balance weights so it does make a difference. the B40 Ive already got new springs for. the old Thunderbolts I had were points. never been able to justify the cost as dont ride enough which is why Im always draining the sump or recharging the battery.
OK....I will lift the cover and check the points....so far I have only stuck the bits that fall off back on...maybe time for some proper maintenance.....an oil change and clean the tank might be a good start as it is a bit gungy. To do that I need to start it....it might be next week when swmbo'd goes off cat sitting again as she is making noises about the garden right now..