I really want to ride this bike, not part it out!

Ramblerman · 05-08-2011, 11:57 PM

Hi! I posted recently in the "Introduce Yourself" section about my '99 that I bought a few weeks ago. The engine had a valve break off in the cylinder at higher RPM and needed rebuilding. I bought it cheap because I wanted a project and hated to see it parted out since the bike was well cared for and looked great (15,000 miles).

I have now rebuilt the top half of the engine and I can not get it started for anything in the world! Here is what I know so far:

Timing: I have checked, re-checked, and checked again - all of the timing marks (and the camshaft) appear to be in the correct locations!
Spark: I do have a nice spark coming from the NEW plug. I have the plug gap at .025"
Valves: I have adjusted them a couple of times and have them very close to their proper specs at this point (adjusted with the piston at TDC on the compression stroke)
Carburetor: Took apart and cleaned, passages and jets were all clear, adjusted float.
Fuel: Fresh fuel put into a CLEAN tank and I am running an inline clear fuel filter and I can see the fuel flow into the carb when I put petcock on prime!
Battery: Charged up with a 2amp trickle to 100% - tested good!
Starter Fluid: I get no sputter or anything whatsoever with a 1-2 second spray when I spray into airbox (or carburetor directly).

I have been reading all of the information I can find in all of the posts related to my issue here on this forum! So far nothing has helped me!

Can anyone please shed some light on this funkyness? I am going crazy here trying to figure out what the issue is. This is the first bike I have owned and it makes a great yard ornament. I would love it to be a great bike too! :tongue:

Thanks in advance,
Daniel

Water Warrior 2 · 05-09-2011, 01:52 AM

I have had only one experience when Lynda's GZ would not fire up. After an oil change I left the oil filler plug out and it would not even sputter. Put the plug in and away it went. Must be something to do with engine vacuum or related pressures. Did you leave the plug out and attempt to start it ?? That's all I got but some one with more savvy will be along soon. Hang in there.

JWR · 05-09-2011, 07:45 AM

Kill switch on handle bar???

Mine would not start sometimes and I would turn it off and on a few times.

Ramblerman · 05-09-2011, 10:34 AM

Water Warrior: That's interesting. I had no idea that would cause a no-start problem! Unfortunately, my oil fill plug (and everything else I can see) appears to be properly tightened! Huh, maybe I should try taking off the oil fill plug. I think I have tried everything else. :lol:

JWR: Thanks, I actually tried "resetting" all the controls several times, and still no starting. The starter will CRANK the engine all day long, but nothing happens after that!

Also, for more information about the problem, I am able to put a finger over the spark plug opening while cranking it and I can feel compression. Also, I am able to feel puffs of air coming out of the muffler while cranking, which would imply that there are no restrictions!

Thanks guys,
Daniel

alantf · 05-09-2011, 10:59 AM

Have you tried putting the choke on, before cranking? (let's try clutching at straws) That could be - just could be - the problem. :??:

If you're getting fuel, pressure, a spark, I can't think of anything else (that's obvious) to try.

bonehead · 05-09-2011, 11:30 AM

Have you confirmed that you DO have spark?

Water Warrior 2 · 05-09-2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bonehead

Have you confirmed that you DO have spark?

Yes.

Ramblerman · 05-09-2011, 12:40 PM

I have tried using the choke in the fully closed position, fully open position, and part way in between! I have even taken the brass choke cable connection off of the carb and made sure that everything was working in there, and it appears to be. I cleaned it out anyway.

I checked for spark through the spark plug wire. Then I attached the spark plug to the end of the wire and grounded it too the engine. The spark looked good (to my eye) and it jumped the .025" gap very nicely.

Of course, I have no way to know (or do I?) if the spark is REALLY firing at the correct time when it is supposed to be firing.

Daniel

Water Warrior 2 · 05-09-2011, 12:45 PM

Can you verify there is fuel getting into the cylinder from the carb ??

Ramblerman · 05-09-2011, 01:35 PM

When I pull the carb off of the engine I do get a little bit of fuel on my hands from near the throttle plate. I presume that the vacuum from the intake stroke would draw this into the cylinder. Right?

To make sure, as somewhat of a last resort, I sprayed starter fluid into the opening on the cylinder head where the carb mounts to, right behind the intake valves. I then cranked the starter with a fully charged battery... There was no sputter, no firing noises of any kind! :??:

Daniel

05-08-2011, 11:57 PM	#1
Ramblerman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 18	I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! Hi! I posted recently in the "Introduce Yourself" section about my '99 that I bought a few weeks ago. The engine had a valve break off in the cylinder at higher RPM and needed rebuilding. I bought it cheap because I wanted a project and hated to see it parted out since the bike was well cared for and looked great (15,000 miles). I have now rebuilt the top half of the engine and I can not get it started for anything in the world! Here is what I know so far: Timing: I have checked, re-checked, and checked again - all of the timing marks (and the camshaft) appear to be in the correct locations! Spark: I do have a nice spark coming from the NEW plug. I have the plug gap at .025" Valves: I have adjusted them a couple of times and have them very close to their proper specs at this point (adjusted with the piston at TDC on the compression stroke) Carburetor: Took apart and cleaned, passages and jets were all clear, adjusted float. Fuel: Fresh fuel put into a CLEAN tank and I am running an inline clear fuel filter and I can see the fuel flow into the carb when I put petcock on prime! Battery: Charged up with a 2amp trickle to 100% - tested good! Starter Fluid: I get no sputter or anything whatsoever with a 1-2 second spray when I spray into airbox (or carburetor directly). I have been reading all of the information I can find in all of the posts related to my issue here on this forum! So far nothing has helped me! Can anyone please shed some light on this funkyness? I am going crazy here trying to figure out what the issue is. This is the first bike I have owned and it makes a great yard ornament. I would love it to be a great bike too! :tongue: Thanks in advance, Daniel Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-09-2011, 01:52 AM	#2
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! I have had only one experience when Lynda's GZ would not fire up. After an oil change I left the oil filler plug out and it would not even sputter. Put the plug in and away it went. Must be something to do with engine vacuum or related pressures. Did you leave the plug out and attempt to start it ?? That's all I got but some one with more savvy will be along soon. Hang in there.
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05-09-2011, 07:45 AM	#3
JWR Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Louisville, TN Posts: 1,413	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! Kill switch on handle bar??? Mine would not start sometimes and I would turn it off and on a few times. __________________ Jerry Truth is there are lots of great bikes available and not nearly as many good riders out there riding them... "A man's got to know his limitations..." Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-09-2011, 10:34 AM	#4
Ramblerman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 18	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! Water Warrior: That's interesting. I had no idea that would cause a no-start problem! Unfortunately, my oil fill plug (and everything else I can see) appears to be properly tightened! Huh, maybe I should try taking off the oil fill plug. I think I have tried everything else. :lol: JWR: Thanks, I actually tried "resetting" all the controls several times, and still no starting. The starter will CRANK the engine all day long, but nothing happens after that! Also, for more information about the problem, I am able to put a finger over the spark plug opening while cranking it and I can feel compression. Also, I am able to feel puffs of air coming out of the muffler while cranking, which would imply that there are no restrictions! Thanks guys, Daniel
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05-09-2011, 10:59 AM	#5
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! Have you tried putting the choke on, before cranking? (let's try clutching at straws) That could be - just could be - the problem. :??: If you're getting fuel, pressure, a spark, I can't think of anything else (that's obvious) to try. __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman. Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-09-2011, 11:30 AM	#6
bonehead Senior Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: elgin,tx Posts: 907	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! Have you confirmed that you DO have spark? __________________ Standing with the PGR until they stand for me.
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05-09-2011, 12:40 PM	#8
Ramblerman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 18	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! I have tried using the choke in the fully closed position, fully open position, and part way in between! I have even taken the brass choke cable connection off of the carb and made sure that everything was working in there, and it appears to be. I cleaned it out anyway. I checked for spark through the spark plug wire. Then I attached the spark plug to the end of the wire and grounded it too the engine. The spark looked good (to my eye) and it jumped the .025" gap very nicely. Of course, I have no way to know (or do I?) if the spark is REALLY firing at the correct time when it is supposed to be firing. Daniel
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05-09-2011, 12:45 PM	#9
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! Can you verify there is fuel getting into the cylinder from the carb ??
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05-09-2011, 01:35 PM	#10
Ramblerman Junior Member Join Date: Apr 2011 Location: Arizona Posts: 18	Re: I really want to ride this bike, not part it out! When I pull the carb off of the engine I do get a little bit of fuel on my hands from near the throttle plate. I presume that the vacuum from the intake stroke would draw this into the cylinder. Right? To make sure, as somewhat of a last resort, I sprayed starter fluid into the opening on the cylinder head where the carb mounts to, right behind the intake valves. I then cranked the starter with a fully charged battery... There was no sputter, no firing noises of any kind! :??: Daniel
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