400-4 starting problems.

As per subject, I can't seem to get the bloody honda started at all
and am completely stumped. There's fuel and spark, the points were
new, and correctly adjusted, a few months ago, so I can't think what
the problem is.

Tried it with and without choke, cranking sometimes for 30 seconds or
more. Taken plugs out (wet, they were), cleaned, heated them through,
replaced - no joy. Repeated, leaving for ten minutes to dry engine
out. Still no joy. With no choke there's just the very occasional hint
of it firing, but really not much.

Anyone any ideas? I'm wondering about a new set of plugs, but it would
seem unlikely that they'd all go off at the same time, wouldn't it?
Anything else I've not thought of?

 

As per subject, I can't seem to get the bloody honda started at all
and am completely stumped. There's fuel and spark, the points were
new, and correctly adjusted, a few months ago, so I can't think what
the problem is.

Tried it with and without choke, cranking sometimes for 30 seconds or
more. Taken plugs out (wet, they were), cleaned, heated them through,
replaced - no joy. Repeated, leaving for ten minutes to dry engine
out. Still no joy. With no choke there's just the very occasional hint
of it firing, but really not much.

Anyone any ideas? I'm wondering about a new set of plugs, but it would
seem unlikely that they'd all go off at the same time, wouldn't it?
Anything else I've not thought of?

 

I've had problems with the plugs (on a 550/4) that turned out to be
carb trouble.

Take the air filter out?

 

coils are on the right way around ? one goes to the other plugs and
one goes to the inner plugs. Try new plugs anyway always worth it.
Timing 180* out ?
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Ta, but this is a bike that was running fine a few months ago and has
just been sitting for a while. I'll try new plugs though.

 

Hmm, there's a thought. I did buy a new one last year but haven't got
round to fitting it. I'll give it a go tomorrow, ta.

 

Water in fuel?

 

Hmmm, it's a thought. Or some other shit, perhaps. Dunno if I fancy
stripping the carbs just to clear them out though... maybe I'll just
run some fresh fuel through and crank it over, FWO, without the plugs
for a while.

 

In uk.rec.motorcycles, Ace said:

Wasps nest in the air box?

 

mind you don't overheat the starter motor.

 

Aye, I've been trying to be careful.

 

If the bike has been standing for some time you try stripping the carbs,
cleaning them and using fresh fuel. Over a period of time the carbs can get
gummed up causing all sorts of problems like float bowl needles sticking.
Also fuel can go a bit gummy with some evaporation that leaves gums and
additives behind in a higher than usual concentration

Brian

 

Drain the fuel from the carb float bowls. Drain the tank, Put new fuel
in. Try again.

There's no sidestand ignition cutout or anything like that. My guess is
stale fuel.

 

Yep.

 

I think it was on Tue, 27 Apr 2004 09:47:18 +0200 that Ace

I assume the battery is fully charged?

If I don't use the Virago for a couple of weeks the battery turns the
engine over OK and there's a spark, but the bugger won't start. Half
an hour on the charger and it fires up first time...

I've found that pulling the clutch lever in often helps if it doesn't
fire up first time, not having to churn the gearbox over as well must
reduce the load on the battery.

--

Rob
Broseley, Shropshire
1991 Yamaha XV 535 Virago
1997 Rover 623GSi

 

Do you know how a bike gearbox works?

 

Pulling the clutch in on the Guzzi helps as the starter is no longer
turning the clutch and main shafts (the layshaft is more or less
unaffected as it's in neutral).

On the MZs pulling the clutch in certainly takes a load off the
kickstart...

 

True. Same with BMWs. Don't think the average Jap bike is the same,
though.

Heh.

 

The Older Gentleman was seen penning the following ode to ... whatever:

Pans are the same, though. Maybe it's a shafty-only affliction.

 

Think about it ...