« previous next »
Pages: 1 [2]  All   Go Down

Author Topic: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?  (Read 3668 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #25 on: January 08, 2011, 12:56:08 PM »
Yep your floats are in right, just had to know for sure. :)
Sometimes when I can't get a bike I'm working on to fire up I'll not use the gas tank at all and just attach a clear tube with a funnel on the end and top this up with gas, it tells me quickly if the gas is going anywhere and how much I'm using.
My next check would be the plug leads from the coils, did they get mixed up?
One coil operates the #1 and #4 plugs while the other the #2 and #3 plugs, as they say in comedy--timing is everything. ;D
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Mark M

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 483
  • This is what the 10 year old me wanted for Xmas
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #26 on: January 08, 2011, 01:15:53 PM »
It runs on easy start spray so I wouldn't get diverted to looking at other issues.
Logged
In the UK anything over 40 years old only needs insurance and Fuel.

Offline Vintage Esquire

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 50
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #27 on: January 08, 2011, 01:46:41 PM »
Sitting on the bike looking down, from left to right, is the cylinder/wire order merely 1,2,3,4?  My wires all have the designation on them and they currently are in 1,2,3,4 order.
Logged

Offline Hush

  • Finally they realise that I am an
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 6,761
  • "Lady, I've heard it all before"!
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #28 on: January 08, 2011, 11:43:08 PM »
Well as long as no one has fiddled with them that is the correct order so ignore that thought for a while.
Back to gas delivery then. :)
Logged
I think the thing I most like about motorcycling is the speed at which my brain must process information at to avoid the numb skulls who are eating pies, playing the ukulele, applying make-up etc in the comfort of their airconditioned armchairs as they make random attempts to kill me!!!!!!!

Offline Frostyboy

  • Retired: Never was an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 1,227
  • Circa 1951
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #29 on: January 09, 2011, 04:12:27 AM »
Quote from: Vintage Esquire on January 06, 2011, 10:48:24 PM
........  I tried to start it twice without starter fluid and pulled the plugs.  All four plugs were slightly damp with fuel............

I'm going out on limb here, but are you sure it's petrol you have in the tank?

It sounds to me like you have all the other ingredients to make it run. Just my 2c.
Logged
Last year I joined a support group for procrastinators.
We haven't met yet.
[CB550F1]

Offline trueblue

  • A person who has had many interesting experiences, some of which are true, is known as an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,124
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #30 on: January 09, 2011, 04:31:26 AM »
Quote from: Frostyboy on January 09, 2011, 04:12:27 AM
Quote from: Vintage Esquire on January 06, 2011, 10:48:24 PM
........  I tried to start it twice without starter fluid and pulled the plugs.  All four plugs were slightly damp with fuel............

I'm going out on limb here, but are you sure it's petrol you have in the tank?

It sounds to me like you have all the other ingredients to make it run. Just my 2c.
That is a good point, but it may also be a case of stale fuel, I have drained fuel out of mowers in the past, that wouldnt start, and couldnt even get it to light with a cigarette lighter.  Would be worth checking if you havent done so yet.
Logged
1979 CB650Z
Nothing can be idiot proofed, the world keeps producing better idiots.
Electronic Guages for your SOHC 4

Offline videopunk101

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4
Re: Can't get this 78 550 to stay running! What am I missing?
« Reply #31 on: January 09, 2011, 10:18:25 AM »
Have you adjusted and cleaned your points yet?
Logged
Pages: 1 [2]  All   Go Up
« previous next »