Just bought a b34 and A10 - need a hand please =)

[HeadphoneHistorian]

Hi folks! New member here, I picked up a 1951 B34 and a 1954 A10 - the a10 is sitting at about 440 miles and the B34 has 288 miles - purportedly original. Purchased from a local donation auction that I've frequented for the past 20+ years off and on. From the address on the title, these appear to be owned by a very wealthy gentleman - that are in town is well known as being ultra pricy real estate - and the bikes definitely reflect that.

With that said - I've checked them out - I have great compression - the bikes are complete - they were started and they ran after the auction - but my 115-pound stature CANNOT for the life of me, get them started.

I'm doing the following logical things on the A34:
Turn on the choke fully by pulling lever down / towards myself (run richer, limiting air in)
slightly retarding the ignition by pulling the lever towards down/myself
Neutral
Find TDC
Decompress slightly past TDC
kick that bad boy

One thing is, I just can't seem to get enough momentum. I'm tiring myself out.

Any suggestions? I'm really going nuts here. I think I may have to just sell them, unfortunately. At first, I thought I could control the weight, they seemed manageable, but man, I'm just not sure anymore. They SURE are beautiful, though - and seemingly all original.

Thanks folks!

As a side question, what have you seen the values of these each be lately? I may have to start considering them for sale soon. I hate it - but I can't reasonably start them up myself with my own weight, I may have to say bye to the dream of cafe racing =)

[neil1964]

Ok, I'll start😉
First, drain tanks and both carbs (stick old fuel in nearly full modern car).
Fresh highest octane juice you can by locally. In UK 99 rated E5.
On the B34 you need to see if you slacken the Advance/Retard to advance (early ones are tight advance (ie you have to pull lever towards you) later ones away from you (assuming left side of bars).
Half choke, half retard, tickle carb until juice just comes out.
Pull decompressor in and swing through three or four rotations (will be easy, virtually no resistance and you will hear intake and exhaust air moving).
With decomp off bring to just over compression.
Bike on centre stand.  I stand by side but you may need to sit on it for more mass.
Then long swing (not jab) on the lever.
Should take one or two swings.
If not check the plug is not oiled up
Once running check for oil circulation by lifting oil cap for minute.
Then give it a long run up to temperature.
The twin is more tricky as no decompressor but technique for fuel freshness and tickling carb lightly is the same.
Don't be tempted to flap the throttle until it catches and fires.
Prices will be local to you and whether you can ship/deliver title arrangements
Where are you in world?

[limeyrob]

Go right back though everything. Are there taps on the oil lines?  Are there hidden kill switches? Do you have a spark at kicking speeds? Clean the mag points - a common issue. Take the plugs out and keep kicking the engine until you see oil return in the tank.  It could take 20 or 30 kicks but there's no compression.  Don't try starting until you have a strong spark. Set manual timing mid way or slightly nearer full advance, you'll get a kick back but the spark is stronger.
Having been in this situation with a bike that was stiff from a rebuild just before I bought it and also set up completely wrong I got hold of a paddock starter and motored the bike repeatedly gradually getting misfires then short runs as I tuned it in.  I would have been exhausted, the mononbloc carb had a concentric needle!.  Now the bike is a first kick starter and the paddock starter will go on e-bay.
The other options which i have done in younger years is to get a tow along a quiet road.  You take the rope between the handlebar clamps and wrap it once round your left grip, left go if its all going pear shaped.

[Stubaker58]

In addition ...
Just a gentle reminder that choke is on when cable is slack and off with a tight cable.
Regards

[Derek996]

On the B34 if the advance\retard cable attaches to the magneto next to the cylinder it is slack cable for full advance. If it attaches on the opposite side of the from the cylinder then it is tight cable for full advance.
One other thing that can make for difficult starting, both of these bikes usually suffer from wet sumping. i.e. The oil drains through the oil pump into the crankcase when the bike is unused. If it hasn't been started for some time a considerable amount of oil can collect in the crankcase and the resultant drag makes it difficult to get a good fast kick to start the bike.

[Janacek]

At 115lb you are indeed a lightweight.
The suggestions for starting are good.
Take the plug out and check for a spark.If it is weak it could be the mag has lost some of it's magnetism over the years,and the mag needs an overhaul.
Clean the carb properly,old fuel turns into a brown jelly in small spaces like jets.Use fresh E5 petrol.
The engine oil may need changing,when I bought my B31 I had a similar starting problem and I  weigh 170lb and draining all the oils found they were like black tar.
Once started and running,it is much easier to start now.

[HeadphoneHistorian]

Thank you all! I just got back into town and I will surely take this advice - the previous owner stored it with fuel drained - the filters looked brand new - so he must have stored it properly - at the auction, we filled it up with fuel, and they DID start up - the only trouble is, I CAN'T. Having my heavier friend come over and help me try tomorrow! Will post back =) Thanks everyone!

[HeadphoneHistorian]

Ok, I'll start😉
First, drain tanks and both carbs (stick old fuel in nearly full modern car).
Fresh highest octane juice you can by locally. In UK 99 rated E5.
On the B34 you need to see if you slacken the Advance/Retard to advance (early ones are tight advance (ie you have to pull lever towards you) later ones away from you (assuming left side of bars).
Half choke, half retard, tickle carb until juice just comes out.
Pull decompressor in and swing through three or four rotations (will be easy, virtually no resistance and you will hear intake and exhaust air moving).
With decomp off bring to just over compression.
Bike on centre stand.  I stand by side but you may need to sit on it for more mass.
Then long swing (not jab) on the lever.
Should take one or two swings.
If not check the plug is not oiled up
Once running check for oil circulation by lifting oil cap for minute.
Then give it a long run up to temperature.
The twin is more tricky as no decompressor but technique for fuel freshness and tickling carb lightly is the same.
Don't be tempted to flap the throttle until it catches and fires.
Prices will be local to you and whether you can ship/deliver title arrangements
Where are you in world?

I am Located in Texas, USA

[neil1964]

Good luck
If I can persuade her I'll see if my wife can start my DBD34 with 10:1 CR!

[limeyrob]

There are a couple of tricks:
Do your priming and slow kick overs with the lifter open.
Then collect your thoughts, set the timing, and move it just over compression on the lifter.
Then put everything you have into it. No amount of half hearted kicks will work, it has to be one hard one.  If it doesn't fire take  short rest, its easy to get worn out and never get a decent kick.
Secondly you can pull the lifter in and keep kicking to build up speed then drop the lifter.  Its an odd technique but it can work.

[V500]

Having my heavier friend come over and help me try tomorrow! Will post back =) Thanks everyone!

It's more about technique than heavy. Not uncommon to see petite women start them up.
Just follow the general guidance above, and eventually you'll find the right way for your bikes.
Both should be easy starters, and don't need heavy people taking flying leaps on the K/S.

[HeadphoneHistorian]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, everyone! It's so obvious that these were runners and we stored well, everything from the new fuel lines to the pristine fuel filters supports that - Plus, I saw them run with my own eyes - so they must be good to go. I'll try some of these techniques and report back. Can't thank y'all enough. Gonna go tickle some carbs today...

I've worked on 2 strokes and many vehicles before - but nothing this vintage - it's gonna be a little learning curve but I'm dedicated to get it done thanks to you folks.

[limeyrob]

If all else fails only park at the top of hills  : )