Topic: Need help with an '82 CB650 nighthawk which won't start

[NateTheBookie]

Hey guys, I just got an '82 650 Nighthawk. The previous owner bought it to part out but found it ran fine, so he sold it to me. It ran fine two days ago, but not at all the day afterwards. I've been troubleshooting it as best I can. I checked the carbs over (it's got the CVs), there's gas in the bowls (which are now in the right order) the slides move freely, the accelerator pump is fine and the passages are clear. It does have Pods on it (bleugh), but that shouldn't keep it from running. The engine turns over fine, compression is good, but it just doesn't fire up. I checked the fuses and the engine stop switch, there's good voltage running into the ignition coils. I checked the ignition on #1 and #4 (I don't have a slimline socket for the middle two) #1 is really weak, but #4 is quite strong, they're a little dirty, but not badly fouled. I checked the idle mixtures screws on the carbs, they're all 3 turns out. There's fuel in the carb bowls and the unburned mixture smells pretty good, but I just can't figure out what's wrong with it. Does anyone have any ideas of things to check out next? Thanks!

[wingman1946]

Is the bike in neutral ?

[OrganDonor]

Fuel and spark are the two key words here - if it ran two days ago then the timing and valves are close enough.  I'd give it a shot of starter fluid just to make sure the fuel is there, and then check the spark again.  I know you want to hear it run again, but sometimes it's just best to start from scratch and give it a complete re-tune so it will run right.  You have too many variables at this point.

[KingCustomCycles.com]

I have your answer:

sling blade

[Hush]

Your problem (as KCC quaintly put it) is your gas tank is full of crap!
Remove the tank from the bike, tip the old gas on you favourite weed and set about cleaning the gunk out of her.
If you can, take the gas tap apart and declog it too, my bet it runs after this.