[bigdog7373]

Its an 86 yamaha xt600 enduro bike. I cleaned the carb, new fuel, new plug, new oil, all that jazz. It still wont start its just popping loudly from the exhaust. I didnt think you could do anything with the timing though. Its a kick start so it sucks to try to start anyway. Any ideas?

[bigdog7373]

Does anyone have any suggestions? My leg is gonna fall off if it doesnt start soon! Anything will help.

[eloc431962]

Is it getting any fire ? You more then likely have a bad Stator. JMO


Cole

[bigdog7373]

Its popping from the exhaust and every once in a while it sounds like it wants to start, then it does nothing for the next 20 kicks. It was sitting for some extended amount of time. I dont know how long, its not mine, im trying to get it running for a guy. Let me tell you, if someone wants you to work on a kick start bike don't do it! Its impossible to figure out whats wrong. Also the battery is dead, but it should start without it, but maybe its easier with it?Thanks for the response cole.

[poncho62]

Just like any engine, it needs spark, fuel and compression....not sure if that bike would still use points, but thats where I would likely start

[bigdog7373]

This thingis more cunfusing than a car! And getting to the spark plug alone required mixing and matching random tools to get it out.

[sqzbox]

[QUOTE=bigdog7373Also the battery is dead, but it should start without it, but maybe its easier with it?Thanks for the response cole.[/QUOTE]

Put a trickle charge on the battery over night or get a new battery.
If the gas tank smells like shellac the gas is bad not only in the tank but in the carbs as well.
Did the owner give any reason why it's been sitting for so long? Might have had a problem in the first place like the stator as cole mentioned. If that is the case, It will fire up with a good battery but lose power as the engine drains the battery below the voltage requirements just like a car with a bad alt. except more noticeable.

[bigdog7373]

Good idea, i'll try that tomorrow. He said it ran when parked over 4 years ago. Its weird though because the spark plug looked brand new on the outside, threads were clean, but it was badly fouled. Thanks so far guys.

[sjkonyndyk]

Bro Had an xt600. It was a pain to start when it ran good. check your auto comrpession release, if my memory serves me its on the the cylinder head. This cuts compression to aid in starting but they often fail, and cause all sorts of wierd no start/ poor running prblems.

Also my brother had to "hot start" it every time the first time after sitting more than a couple hours.

Spray some Starting fluid or carb clean in the air horn .5-1 sec, and then find a really big hill and get some speed. My brother is 6'2 210 and I'm 6'3 220 so one sat while the other pushed, then we took turns beating the tar out of ourselves on it. The bike is fun and wheelies at will when it runs right. Have fun and up your insurance....

[curtis73]

Once you soak a spark plug on an older bike, its done. The energy created by the CDI ignition isn't enough to overcome a wet plug.

Your best bet is to double check the timing, another set of plugs, and use some starting fluid (or brake cleaner) to get it to fire right away. If it runs for a bit on starting fluid then dies, its a fuel issue. If the fluid doesn't really help much, its most likely a spark issue.

[curtis73]

Originally Posted by bigdog7373

Also the battery is dead, but it should start without it, but maybe its easier with it?Thanks for the response cole.

I've never owned your exact bike, but I've had several 80's bikes. If they don't have good battery juice, they won't make spark very well. Examples: I had a 73 CB350 that would start fine with a kick, but bucked and died if you gave it gas. Hook it up to a trickle charger and it was fine. I had an 84 CB750 that I strapped a lawn and garden battery to the luggage rack as a jumper battery. It would run great until the jumper cables came loose and I had to stop and reconnect.

I'd start with the battery. Diagnose it with a trickle charger or jumpers. If you hook up some help and it runs, get a new battery.

[bigdog7373]

I think the compression release is ok because its not really that hard to kick and it has compression, i can fell it in the starter thing. I'll try charging the battery. Its only a single cylinder so i dont think it has a distributer or anything. What does the load pop frm the exhaust mean? Just clened the carb, main jet was clear but floats were stuck. Fressh gas, cleaned spark plug with wire brush, burned excess fuel off, and regapped it. I guess the battery is the next thing to check. Its not my bike either, a guy is paying me to get it running. I usually have no problems with these machines, but the ones ive been doing recently were electric start. Kick start is awefull, i'll never buy a 4 stroke kick start.

[T-bucket23]

Originally Posted by bigdog7373

I think the compression release is ok because its not really that hard to kick and it has compression, i can fell it in the starter thing. I'll try charging the battery. Its only a single cylinder so i dont think it has a distributer or anything. What does the load pop frm the exhaust mean? Just clened the carb, main jet was clear but floats were stuck. Fressh gas, cleaned spark plug with wire brush, burned excess fuel off, and regapped it. I guess the battery is the next thing to check. Its not my bike either, a guy is paying me to get it running. I usually have no problems with these machines, but the ones ive been doing recently were electric start. Kick start is awefull, i'll never buy a 4 stroke kick start.

Connect a spark tester and see if it has spark or not, dont guess. You may also want to check the compression. A stick valve will keep it from running and could also cause the pop in the exhaust.

Eliminate things one at a time.

[bigdog7373]

How can i get a compression tester in there? There is a bar directly over it and the hole is 4 inches deep!

[cobalt327]

Charged battery, fresh fuel, fresh plug, dry cylinder.

Use the choke, w/o pumping the throttle in case it has an 'active' accelerator pump. Starting fluid OK, use the kind w/the upper lube in it.