Author Topic: Won't start? Just put it back together.. (Read 4485 times)

robdrobd · « **on:** May 08, 2011, 09:18:10 AM »

Well, I changed the oil, charged the battery (new), new plugs, cleaned the carbs, put in new gas and an inline filter, turned the key to on, pushed the start button... Starter is working fine giving the eerrr,errr,errr,errr,errr., but the engine won't fire. Just getting a little gas coming from the 2nd and 3rd carb tubes. Any ideas?

Greggo · « **Reply #1 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:26:32 AM »

If the bike was working before this, it sounds like a fuel delivery issue. try removing the filter and see what happens.

robdrobd · « **Reply #2 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:38:20 AM »

Bowls are filled with gas. I have never heard the bike start I bought it after it had been sitting for 25 years.

Greggo · « **Reply #3 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:41:05 AM »

Tell us what kind of bike it is, and someone will chime in with more ideas. Are you getting spark at all the plugs?

Spanner 1 · « **Reply #4 on:** May 08, 2011, 09:55:59 AM »

Yep, any spark ?, just put a good plug in #1 and #2 plugcap ( no need to remove plugs from bike right now ) . Crank it over with the starter, anything? No?.... put a piece of card between each point and see if voltage on both with ign. on.
Before even trying to start the bike did you polish and gap the points and set the static timing right on the 'F' mark ? Also it's very easy to flood/foul the plugs on first startup due to oil in the cyls. Usually need to crank the notor 3 or 4 times with the plugs out to dispell oil above the pistons... IMO

robdrobd · « **Reply #5 on:** May 08, 2011, 11:58:58 AM »

Should I put the header on before trying to start the engine? Its not on right now. Also, when I turn the engine over it is making a glub glub glub sound from the exhaust side of the head. Didn't check the points. Will that stop it from firing?

ps- Its a 1977 cb400f

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #6 on:** May 08, 2011, 12:05:43 PM »

All she needs to start is compression, a good air/fuel mix and a well timed spark. Just need to figure which of the three (may be more than one) needs correction.

Oh, and ear plugs if the headers are off. She guns be LOUD!! Don't run her too long and keep a fire extinguisher handy. Don't ask how I know!!

Greggo · « **Reply #7 on:** May 08, 2011, 12:06:55 PM »

Quote from: robdrobd on May 08, 2011, 11:58:58 AM

Should I put the header on before trying to start the engine? Its not on right now. Also, when I turn the engine over it is making a glub glub glub sound from the exhaust side of the head. Didn't check the points. Will that stop it from firing?

ps- Its a 1977 cb400f

You need to do a COMPLETE 3K Mile Tune Up on that bike before you start a new thread here with questions. I don't mean to sound rude, but a bike that's been sitting for 25 years needs more than fresh gas and clean carbs...just sayin.

If you don't have a manual for the bike, find it and download it. Most are available on this site, or just google it.

wrenchmuch · « **Reply #8 on:** May 08, 2011, 01:31:08 PM »

I will run without exhaust but not well . You will need it on to set up carbs properly . As stated above do a full tune up as per instructions in the manual .
If it doesn't run after that check for spark first , then fuel , then mechanical issues .

robdrobd · « **Reply #9 on:** May 08, 2011, 01:52:58 PM »

Ok, spent the last three hours in the garage. Cranked it up, and numbers 2 and three wanted to fire. Pulled the plugs, 2 and 3 are as they should be, 1 and 4 are as clean as when I took them out of the package. Could my coil be shot?

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #10 on:** May 08, 2011, 01:58:27 PM »

Bad coil is rare. More likely your points aren't clean or there is a wiring fault with the blue wire.

- Put a business card between the points connected to blue
- good battery installed, key on, kill switch on

Do you have 12 volts between the blue wire and case ground?

robdrobd · « **Reply #11 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:33:58 PM »

Alright, I went to check the points and found this black thing. What the heck is this and where are my points?

robdrobd · « **Reply #12 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:35:46 PM »

I went to check my point today and what confronted with this black foamy contraption. I am assuming the points are in there somewhere. Should I just cut that black stuff away? Its a 1977 cb400f

Bodi · « **Reply #13 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:39:09 PM »

This is some type of electronic ignition. Do not cut it. You adjust timing with a timing light, by rotating the entire plate via the screws in slots. The relative timing of 1-4 vs 2-3 is not adjustable.

robdrobd · « **Reply #14 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:44:35 PM »

Really, why would my bike that has been sitting for 15 years have electronic ignition? I don't have a timing light, nor do I know how to do it. What next?

david 750f · « **Reply #15 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:48:57 PM »

That's a Prestolite ignition. Lots of threads on the forum if you use the search function.
Shine your timing light at the stock timing marks. You can check the timing at idle and at a higher rpm to see if your advancer is working.

Greggo · « **Reply #16 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:49:08 PM »

Looks like some kind of electronic ignition, but I have no idea what brand...

robdrobd · « **Reply #17 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:53:59 PM »

now what?

robdrobd · « **Reply #18 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:56:15 PM »

The problem is I can't get the bike to start so I can't check it at idle. I thought the problem was the points

Hush · « **Reply #19 on:** May 08, 2011, 04:58:59 PM »

Or if you have faith in your abilities, slacken the screws holding the plate and start the bike, move the plate slowly in either direction until the bike runs at it's best, now retard it slightly by moving the plate a notch backwards.
This is a simplistic way of setting electronic timing if you don't have a light and need to get it close, a timing light will do a much better job though.

Hush · « **Reply #20 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:01:04 PM »

Has the bike ever run for you? I mean are you starting up a dead bike or one you have done a heap of engine work on.
If the timing is out you can use the simple method I suggested, as long as you have done all the other checks to make sure the engine is getting gas and spark.

seanbarney41 · « **Reply #21 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:06:33 PM »

have you checked for spark? ...pull a spark plug and plug it back into the wire, ground the tip against some bare metal on your frame or engine, turn on ignition and crank the starter or kick it over, watch for a spark/s between the electrod and the little strap, if there is spark something else is preventing the engine from starting, if no sparks you need to trouble shoot the entire ignition system...

david 750f · « **Reply #22 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:12:44 PM »

Sorry robdrobd, I miss read your post. I thought it said that you had a timing light.

Pull out plug 1 or 4, lay it on the cylinder head and with the ignition on turn the engine over and see when it sparks. When it does look at the timing marks through the hole in the ignition plate. It should be at the 1/4 "F" mark.

Then do the same with a 2/3 plug. There is a 2/3 "F" mark on the plate as well.

Greggo · « **Reply #23 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:13:27 PM »

Have you determined that you've got spark on all four?

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** May 08, 2011, 05:16:15 PM »

Is your battery good??

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Author Topic: Won't start? Just put it back together.. (Read 4485 times)