A65 Thunderbolt Rocket no start

[Splodger]

Hi Shaun, fellow A50 owner.
My old A10 had a similar problem. There was a plastic stop valve actuated by the float chamber to halt the flow of petrol - which did not function.
It's identified as the float needle 376/089.
As the chamber fills, this pointed stop valve is lifted up into a recess. This little devil was sticking in the 'stop flow' position. Tickling didn't work.
So, try stripping float chamber on carb, check that this little, pointed stop actually moves freely in its channel.
Whilst you've got the float chamber cover off, check that the float actually moves up and down on its shaft and that this actuates the float needle open and closed.
Another thought - is your petrol 'fresh' Sometimes old fuel or low octane stuff just doesn't want to burn.

[shaun evans]

Hi all and thanks for your replies,

Johnjag, I agree that bumping might well help, Will give it a try tomorrow although I won't be pushing it too far till I'll be out of breath!

Splodger, I assume you're talking about the float needle sticking. The carb is brand new so not too keen to disturb the float chamber cover, I'm hoping that the float needle isn't stuck but if I have to I will take a look. Don't know what type of float needle they put in new carbs nowadays they used to use plastic ones but there are brass/aluminium/Viton tipped ones out there.

For all who have been following these posts, today I've checked the static and inlet/exhaust valve timing with a degree disc and it's all good.

My good mate and I did find however that we had a weak spark again when cranking with the plugs out. I've fitted a brand new Pazon system. When flicking a magnet over the coils on the trigger plate we get a fat healthy spark. Same again when we flick the trigger wires together quickly. I did notice that the magnets on the rotor are somewhat recessed. I don't know whether this is causing the weak spark or not. I would have thought that it would either trigger or not, I just don't know.

Decided to bite the bullet and fit a Boyer Mk4 tomorrow hopefully.

Will keep you posted............Shaun.

[A10 JWO]

Last year I was summoned to my mates cave. A gentleman had just turned up to collect his new A10 and it would not start. We had a good spark and petrol came out of the tickler. Beyond that I found out that the fuel tank was empty. 5 litres later and it started first time. That few drips of fuel in the pipe totally had us over a treat. Never stop learning !!

[shaun evans]

Hello all,

Had another bash at starting the old girl today.

Fitted a Boyer MK IV yesterday morning and got sparks but still wouldn't fire.

This morning timed her up using a timing disc and piston stop, spot on.

I then fitted a dual output coil kindly lent to me by a member. A few kicks and she kicked back viciously. It spat and kicked back a few more times but still wouldn't run.

Decided  to bump start it on the small road outside my house. Had three good pushes and she popped, spat and fired but still wouldn't run

Getting too old for this bump starting game - out of breath in no time! Need a strapping youth or a roller starter next.

Progress has been made I suppose, at least she's firing fairly regularly now.

Will keep you all posted.

Cheers........Shaun.

[A10 JWO]

Hi Shaun I have the same electrics set up and same make. You will need to do it on a timing light as per Boyers instructions. They have a really good website with a fault finding section. Glad you are making progress. Try to retard it manually at first !

[ChrisG]

Shaun,
Is the battery fully charged? If the voltage is low, the advance curve on the Boyer advances so it will kick back when trying to kick start it and if you do get it to start can spit back.
Just a thought!
Chris

[shaun evans]

Hi all thanks for your replies,

Chris, battery voltage at 12.38 volts after charging. Do you reckon this is too low?

Cheers........Shaun.

[shaun evans]

Hello all.

She runs!!

Went out this morning with my good mate and tried again.

About 10 kicks she spat. Next kick off she went like a good un'.

Sounded all good, good oil return, let her warm up for a minute or two then a quick throttle stop and idle mixture adjust and she settled down to a nice even tickover.

Didn't want to turn her off but let her cool down for a while and tried again. Took a good few kicks but off she went again.

Have stopped and started her quite a few times now and it's getting easier.

Ducati2242,s post hinted at starting procedure - He's right. This is a different animal to my old lazy low comp A50 which always starts on the button whatever you do. I know a lot of bikes have their own peculiarities on starting and this one's going to be no exception.

I will learn it though.

I reckon there were a few issues that i had to sort before she finally ran, the turning point however was the fitting of the dual output coil kindly lent to me by a member. Soon as it had been fitted she began to come into life.

Johnjag's post spurred me on. Don't give up!

Going to  hopefully ride her to the National Rally in May.

Thank you all for your helpful posts.

Will keep you all updated.

Cheers............................Shaun.