ok to start im new with monkeying around so take it easy on me

My bike sat for a few years and would not start.

I performed the following after initially attempting to start the bike with no luck:

Replaced Spark Plugs
Topped off Oil
Pulled carbs/cleaned/new jets 140 outer 138 inner
put evaporust in tank and rotated/rinsed with water/ air dryed
Replaced fuel filter

The bike cranks
Fuel pump is working
Spark seen when putting plug to frame


Tried with air mixture screw @ 1/2 turn and 2 turns
short spray of starter fluid directly in carbs and bike ran weak for 30 seconds


Any ideas on what additionally could be wrong and how to diagnose it would be greatly appreciated

 

You said they were rebuilt. Im guessing you need to go through them again. Blow some carb cleaner through all the passages and you should be fine. Make sure you disassemble them completely as far as taking out all the jets, float, float seat, etc. Make sure your float settings and other settings are correct.

You said it ran with starting fluid so its not getting fuel more than likely.

 

i pulled apart the carbs a second time and the floats all appear to be seated correctly and the floats have what appears to be correct play. I didnt see any way to adjust the floats(theres just a pin that goes through the floats.)

when you say float settings, any description you can provide on how to set them would be appreiacted.

when you mention other settings... other than the air/fuel mix screw which ive tried on 1/2 turn and 2 turns not sure what other settings i should be checking.

when i cleaned the jets i cleaned them with carb cleaning fluid and then used my air compressor to dry them.

i did try to start the bike after cleaning with bad gas, didnt think that would then require me to do another full cleaning on the carbs. since i have derusted the tank and put fresh fuel in.



thanks for your response, much appreciated

 

one more thing, here is a video of the sound the bike makes when trying to start: nothing spectacular here...

bike start - YouTube

 

Manual says, initial stock setting for the mains is 2 1/8 turns out for
49 state, 2 3/4 California and 2 turns from seated for Canada.

It takes a bit of cranking to get the bowls filled after a tear-down.
It might just take a little patience. Also, make sure your fuel-filter isn't
clogged and causing flow problems. As well, did you turn the pet-****
back on? Sounds silly, but it's the little things, sometimes. ;-)

Good luck, Ern

 

thanks for the tips... the peatcock and choke are in the appropriate position . oh and yes there is fuel in the tank.. haha

i have a charger hooked up to her and been cranking for a while.. ill let her crank some more and see if something gives... i figured with the fuel/air mixture at 2 turns it should allow the bike to start, ill be happy to move onto the tuning phase once this damn thing actually starts... i put a new fuel filter in place already so that shouldnt be the problem.

thanks for the suggestions

 

Make sure your carbs dont have any bad gas in them. Also when you say you cleaned with carb cleaner did you soak them? Or just spray them off with a spray can type cleaner? Make sure you clean out the jets, and spray inside the passages with the cleaner and compressed air. Also try giving it a tiny bit of throttle when cranking it over. Maybe your idle screw isnt turned in enough

 

@hss: Im going to pull the carbs out again and give them another once over. When i cleaned them i removed all of the jets and shot carb cleaner through every hole i could find. I then dried them with my compressed air running at 90 psi.

I did not soak the carbs emerged in carb cleaner. however ait flowed out of each whole appropriatly and i did not notice any blcoked passages.

The things i did not clean when i pulled the carbs last:
Did not remove the air/fuel mixture screw
Did not remove the air cust-off valve

I'll make sure to pull these and clean them tonight as well.

Ill let you guys know how it goes and post a longer video clip of how the bike sounds when trying to start it up after i give it another go tonight.

Thanks again guys, Appreicate all of the suggestions and comments

 

Just a suggestion, but when was your last valve job done? You should have a compression test done on it, Don't worry if its off. If it is have the valves done and redo the compression test.

Always remember it takes three things to make it run, Air, Fuel, and spark. If you have all three and no start, then its in the motor's compression.

Also I'd recommend trying what Ern said, tap the gas when you crank and see if it fires up, if it does and you have to fight to keep it running then def have you valves checked.

Good luck

 

The problem with doing a compression test, optimally the bike has to be warmed up.
Other-wise, the rings don't have an oil seal and expansion and you can read a false
low compression. Here's an interesting, informative article on the subject.

How to Check Your Engine's Compression - - Search Auto Parts | Automotive News

This doesn't discount jveach's comments. He's earned his chops, just wasn't thinking,
"Can't start the darn thing, yet". ;-) Valid diagnostic, once you do get her up to speed,
All things considered, I'd want to know.

Check the floats, as well, when you do the new tear-down. Make sure they don't have
any leaks (i.e. full of gas and don't float) and check the pins. They should be a
straight slope on the head. If they indent any they might be bad and don't seal
properly. Soaking the jets is the best way, about 10-15 minutes is good.

Be careful, carb cleaner is NASTY stuff. It will chemically burn you. Don't be fishing
parts out with your fingers. Use a strainer or needle-nose, etc. Also, don't get it
on rubber, it will eat it up.

Don't forget to armor-all the intake-boots while you have the carbs off, too.
Down the road, every little bit helps.

Hope this helps, Ern