OK, we're stuck :-/

Check the sidestand switch.

HTH

 

Right, me and petrolcan have had a fiddle with the CB350s tonight and so far

Good spark on both plugs
Petrol getting through definitely and yes theres petrol in the tank
Feels like good compression at the exhaust end

Still wouldnt start :-/ despite continual coaxing.
The starter motors working, she just wont fire into life.

Even tried to bump her a coupla times, again no joy so the question is,
anyone know what else it could be.

There appears to be a clutch switch, ie i assume that it wont start unless
its pulled in.
We tried to bypass this but still no difference.

Im wondering though about it, for those with these clutch switches, surely,
if you didnt depress the lever, you wouldnt get anything out of the bike at
all, ie no spark or attempt of the engine to kick over?

Anyone out there know where to go from here?

 

But he says he gets a good spark at the plugs. Or am I being thick?

 

Fresh petrol? If the petrol is older than about three months it'll be
hard for the engine to burn.

 

No.

Try heating the plugs up good and hot and screwing them back in.

 

"Ginge" said to Donegal Paul

Don't think its got one, none I could see anyway, i.e. no wiring etc
anywhere near :-/

 

"Colin Irvine" says to Ginge

Nope, good spark to both cylinders. Which I would have thought negated the
sidestand switch option?

 

"christofire" said to Donegal Paul

Not that Im doubting you but can petrol "go off"?

 

...and it can gum up your carbs. You *did* clean the carb(s), didn't you?

 

Yes. Many times has this been experienced by posters here - bloody
bike won't go - and it won't go. So they drain the tank, refill with
a gallon of fresh fuel and as soon as it gets to the carbs - briiingg!

Go do it, Paul.

 

If you've got petrol, compression and a spark then surely the only thing
that can be wrong is that if the spark is at the wrong time?

Is it coughing at all like it's about to start? ... check if there's
anyway the plug caps could have been switched around. Or maybe the
timing's slipped?

 

"mb" said to"Donegal Paul" who said

Nope, but mainly cos I wanted to check the other, more straightforward stuff
first.

 

"Pip" said to "Donegal Paul"who wrote:> >

Last time ill listen to pc too cold now and pizzas on the way, job for
tomorrow then

 

I did wonder about timing etc.

Nope not even a tickly cough :-(
Ill try the draining and refilling of the tank tomorrow and double check the
leads aint been switched too

 

BUT you have a spark ?

You have a spark. So NO.

So if you have

1. A spark

2. Wet plugs ( the petrol is getting through? )

3. The plug caps on the correct plugs.

4. The timing correct

5. Compression

6. It will start or try to.

--
SimonB - South Wales. BOF#32
email simonb@zapikdotcodotuk
Triumph Sprint ST,
ZXR750L2 Wazimbaki.
Kawasaki Z1R For Sale

 

If the petrol is old and the carbs are dirty, then I don't think you're
going to get the bike going.

 

How long have you tried turning it over for? If its been stood a good while
then it may take *forever* to start. I would put some fresh pertol in - as
others have said - hook it up to a decent battery, or some jump leads and
keep turning it over.

 

Don't waste it all on the bike.

You wanna save some for yourselves... It's ether IIRC.

 

As DP has admitted to failing to clean the undoubtedly filthy carbs,
worrying about the petrol is a waste of time. Fresh petrol *and*
clean carbs is the answer. The pilot jets are almost certainly
clogged.

 

As Pip says, yes. Think of it as all the potent explodey bits in the
petrol are really excited, so they evaoprate first.

I've seen this personally, where a bike wouldn't run, the petrol was
changed and then it did. The petrol is still very flammable though, so
play pyromaniac with the usual precautions.