Bike won't start after carb cleaning

[Clumzi]

So I pulled the carbs apart, cleaned them, figured out why they were pouring gas (bent float pin, the float was sticking up), stuck them back in, reconnected everything and the bike doesn't want to start. It may just be that the battery is a little weak (it's on a charger now) but I'm not so sure. It seems like it's strong enough to at least kick the bike over. Do I have to do something special to get gas back in the carbs? Anything else I might be forgetting? -nick

[Larry D]

So I pulled the carbs apart, cleaned them, figured out why they were pouring gas (bent float pin, the float was sticking up), stuck them back in, reconnected everything and the bike doesn't want to start. It may just be that the battery is a little weak (it's on a charger now) but I'm not so sure. It seems like it's strong enough to at least kick the bike over. Do I have to do something special to get gas back in the carbs? Anything else I might be forgetting? -nick

Might wanna try some new plugs. And did you do this before you reinstalled the carbs ?

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/images/carb_sync_notes.html

[Big T]

If your fuel tap has a prime position, turn that on for about a minute. Then turn it back

Yes, a low battery will affect the bike's ability to fire up

[Guest]

Do you have the 80 leverless petcock?

[trippivot]

use ETHER quick start

[Steve]

use ETHER quick start

but use it sparingly. Too much ether has very interesting results, sometimes they are expen$sive.

.

[Baatfam]

So I pulled the carbs apart, cleaned them, figured out why they were pouring gas (bent float pin, the float was sticking up), stuck them back in, reconnected everything and the bike doesn't want to start. It may just be that the battery is a little weak (it's on a charger now) but I'm not so sure. It seems like it's strong enough to at least kick the bike over. Do I have to do something special to get gas back in the carbs? Anything else I might be forgetting? -nick

What method did you use to clean them?

[Clumzi]

I carb dipped them to clean and yes it does have the '80 leverless petcock. I forgot to put the thing on prime. I'm going to try that now with the battery all nice and charged. I'll report back whether or not it kicked. -nick

EDIT: I just got back in. No good. Battery is fully charged, the starter is trying but it won't go. I feel like I'm forgetting something.

[Larry D]

I carb dipped them to clean and yes it does have the '80 leverless petcock. I forgot to put the thing on prime. I'm going to try that now with the battery all nice and charged. I'll report back whether or not it kicked. -nick

EDIT: I just got back in. No good. Battery is fully charged, the starter is trying but it won't go. I feel like I'm forgetting something.

Sounds like you're not getting spark. What is the condition of your plugs ? How's weather in Olympia today ? Have you done a valve adjustment lately ?

These bikes can be difficult to fire if the valves are out of adjustment and it's cold weather......not to mention your plugs may be fouled.

[Guest]

The 80 petcock still needs vacuum to start the prime. Take off the vacuum line from the #2 carb and suck on it to activate the fuel flow.

[Clumzi]

Bike is running! I think it was the vacuum thing.

These bikes are screwy! But its damn nice to hear the thing run again . -nick