Starting a long dormant engine.

[spyug]

Many thanks guys for the kind thoughts and ideas. I'm anxious to give this another go but its -11c in the garage so I'll have to wait an hour or two until the heater takes off the chill. I have halogen lamps and ceramic heater on the block to hopefully bring up the oil temps so it can flow. It must be like molasses right now .

I'll report back as soon as I get a bang.....or two.

Cheers all,
Spyug

[spyug]

Well sad to report but still no go.

Freshly charged battery and new plugs. Nothing. However, I think I'm starting to see the problem..... despite my previous findings...no gas getting to the cylinders. I don't know why yet. The carbs are freshly cleaned and rebuilt and I even tried a set that had worked on the GS but the plugs come out dry with both sets. There definitely is spark at all plugs.

I am gravity feeding the fuel from an IV bottle that I've used on my previous bikes. The bowls all fill but the level doesn't seem to drop past that so juice is not getting through.

Now if it were just one set that did this I would say they weren't cleaned properly but both sets.

I took great pains cleaning and rebuilding this set even having the bodies, bowls and jets sit in the dip for almost a week. Fresh orings...the works. Air screws are set about 2.5 turns out.

As per S.O.P. I've been cranking with choke full on and throttle closed.

Man this gets weirder and weirder.

Thoughts now guys?

Cheers,
Spyug

[chef1366]

I thought you tried with starter fluid. That should of got you something.

[Nessism]

Did you install the airbox yet? If not, tape off about half the carb throats to create some resistance or just install the box. Another thing to try is blowing air into one of the carb vent tubes while plugging the other with your finger. Hope you figure it out soon.

[salty_monk]

You do have the vacuum port on the carbs blocked don't you?? That makes it horribly lean and then no box as well....

[spyug]

Yup did try explosion in a can but nothing either and that I really don't understand.

I haven't got the new airbox boots yet and the originals are rock hard so I might not have any luck getting that on but I'll try that or as you suggest blocking the mouths off abit. I tried blowing into the vent tubes and ended up shooting gas out the mouth of the carb no improvement. I wondered about blocking the vacuum tube but didn't think it would matter. I'll plug that off.

This is just too strange.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Spyug

[salty_monk]

Just clamp it with some mole grips.

[chef1366]

Just clamp it with some mole grips.

Mole grips??????
Do they dig up your yard and then you starngle them with a mole grip?

[Nessism]

Yup did try explosion in a can but nothing either and that I really don't understand.

I haven't got the new airbox boots yet and the originals are rock hard so I might not have any luck getting that on but I'll try that or as you suggest blocking the mouths off abit. I tried blowing into the vent tubes and ended up shooting gas out the mouth of the carb no improvement. I wondered about blocking the vacuum tube but didn't think it would matter. I'll plug that off.

This is just too strange.

Thanks for the suggestions.

Spyug

If restricting the intake flow and ether doesn't work I'd go back to the basics and triple check the cam timing. Something basic is wrong. The ether should cause the bike to light off but only run for a few seconds. No fire at all indicates some other problem.

[spyug]

I haven't heard that term in ages. All the Brits will get it but for everyone else just call them Vice-grips.

Well I agree that its got to be something simple.....and likely stupid on my part.

I have quadriple checked the valve timing and it appears spot on. I'm going to double check the valve clearances today and I'm going to pick up a new compression tester too.

I reread my manual on the carbs last night and I can't see any reason why they wouldn't shoot a little juice at least with or without the airbox.

Well I'm getting tired of these sleepless nights so I have to get it to fire or.....find a new hobby.

I'll see what today turns up.

cheers,
Spyug

[Nessism]

I haven't heard that term in ages. All the Brits will get it but for everyone else just call them Vice-grips.

Well I agree that its got to be something simple.....and likely stupid on my part.

I have quadriple checked the valve timing and it appears spot on. I'm going to double check the valve clearances today and I'm going to pick up a new compression tester too.

I reread my manual on the carbs last night and I can't see any reason why they wouldn't shoot a little juice at least with or without the airbox.

Well I'm getting tired of these sleepless nights so I have to get it to fire or.....find a new hobby.

I'll see what today turns up.

cheers,
Spyug

Spyug,

When you verified the cam timing did you make sure the cam notches are pointing inward with 1-4 at TDC?

Photo below shows notches facing inward like they must with #1 at TDC. Pull the plug and make sure the piston is there too.

[Ponderosa]

Alrighty then!

Still no start? Try pulling plugs, cleaning/drying plugs, blow out each cylinder with compressed air, install plugs, crack each carb plunger open with a pencil, small non marring round item/ or some other item, crack throttle open, put a little gas in the throats, then say a prayer, keep thumb on kill switch, and crank.

[spyug]

Ed,
That diagram is etched in my brain and I have a copy taped to my tool box. I've checked, checked and rechecked so I'm certain that is all good. I haven't yet looked for a piston top at #1 so I'll do that too but if everything else lines up how could a piston be off? There's no weird sounds so I don't suspect any broken rods or such.

The more I ponder this, the more I'm feeling the silly airbox has something to do with it. I can't say why and it does fly in the face of logic but that's what I keep thinking. Last night I restricted the carb mouths with a piece of towel and plugged the vacuum tube but that did nothing so I guess I'll need to somehow get that airbox in place.

I'm not easily frustrated but this is starting to really kick my butt.

I appreciate everyone hanging in with me especially you Ed.

Cheers,
Spyug

[chef1366]

You still haven't verified the timing at the ignition.

[lurch12_2000]

Spyug,

When you verified the cam timing did you make sure the cam notches are pointing inward with 1-4 at TDC?

Photo below shows notches facing inward like they must with #1 at TDC. Pull the plug and make sure the piston is there too.

Nice pic!....I make sure and count the 20 links too, to be sure, as the notches don't exactly line up at a perfect 90 degree angle facing each other and aligning even with the surface of the head...along with trying to determine if the #3 and #2 marks are perfectly perpendicular...and checking the timing mark for 1/4 at TDC at the same time.