Topic: How long should battery crank?

[robdrobd]

Hey folks, I am in the final stages of my build and have a question. My jets are spotless, but I can still only get my bike to start when I use starter fluid. My question is this. If the battery is weak, will that keep my bike from running after it initially fires up? My headlight goes off completely when I start it, runs for 3 seconds, then dies. I do that at most four times and my battery is toast and needs to be charged? Is the battery what's keeping it from running for more than a few seconds or do you think its something else ?

[BeSeeingYou]

Don't know what bike you have but I know some are designed for the headlight to go out when cranking the starter.  How long are you cranking the starter? While it could be another issue a weak battery may cause this too.  Sounds like your battery is shot so a new battery is in order regardless.  Start there.

[scottly]

Is the battery what's keeping it from running for more than a few seconds or do you think its something else ?

Once running, the battery won't keep it from running. Sounds like the motor dies as soon as the starting fluid is burned off.

[robdrobd]

I think I turned the mixture screws the wrong way. When they are on the engine side turning them in leans the mixture, right? They are PD carbs 46a.

[scottly]

Are you trying to set the idle, or are you just trying to get the motor to run for more than 3 seconds? Set the screws 1.5-2 turns out for now...

[robdrobd]

Just trying to get it to run. Mixture screws were turned in all the way. Too late to fire it up now, but I am hoping that was the problem

[scottly]

If the screws were all the way in, that just might be the problem!! I was going to ask if you were sure that the carbs were getting fuel, but you verified that on your other thread...

[robdrobd]

They were actually about a 1/4 turn out, but I am running stacks. I have only dealt with air box side mixture screws that you turn out to lean. Apparently engine side mixture screws turn out to richen the mixture? With stacks I probably have to turn them out to 2 1/2 or 3.

[robdrobd]

Well, it didn't work. Bike only run with starter fluid. Fuel lines clean, jets clean. Now what?

[thrutheframe]

Check your bowls, open the drain and see if fuel comes out.

[Duanob]

A clear-tube flaot level tool is a cheap and indespensible tool. It tells you where your float levels are when the carbs are on the bike. If you have a stuck float or clogged float needle you will know. It sounds like you're not getting fuel into the engine. Start at the bowls and if they are empty then you work your way up towards your tank.

FWIW is there enough gas in the tank? trust me I banged my head against the wall when my bike wouldn't start. I tried everything until I pulled the fuel line from the petcock and was only getting fuel out of one drain that fed only two carbs. I put another gallon of gas in and voila! she fired right up.
**Slap forehead/shrug shoulders**

[robdrobd]

Pilot jets were clogged from residual Simple Green cleaning. All clean now, and firing strong. Thanks everybody. 

[bollingball]

Next time pull the head light fuse until you figure it out. Oh yes there will be a next time

Ken

[robdrobd]

Didn't even think of pulling the fuse..genius!!

[thrutheframe]

Pilot jets were clogged from residual Simple Green cleaning. All clean now, and firing strong. Thanks everybody. 

 

I'm not all that sold on simple green.  It leaves tiny white spots on aluminum if its not rinsed right away.  To me it's not anymore powerful against grease and road grime than dish soap. 

[chrisnoel]

Sounds like your all set but still wanted to chime in.  If you have one of those battery tenders that run about $35.00 they make a huge difference.  Also turning the petcock to prime for a few seconds the back to on before starting seems to do wonders.  Got my start time down to just a bump of the button and the cheap YOUSA battery has been in for three years now.  I'm thinking my starter brushes may never have to be looked at now. 

[robdrobd]

Just bought the tender. It works great.