Starting Problems Help please

 

Have just got an old HONDA 125BR motorcycle, great for the training side
in the UK as its Learner legal.

Now Have had it running for 15, 30, and shorter times, but not often as
its not on the road yet due to MOT requirements.

After a couple of weeks not running the thing will not start, but put a
new Plug in it and it starts first kick.

WHY?

Is it just that I now need to check the Points, Timing, Fuel Mixture,
and oil/Air filter etc. to get all up to OK limits, or do you think
there is a bigger problem?

Any real help here most welcome.

Many thanks in advance Vaughn

 

Vaughn wrote:

When you remove the plug is the tip black and sooty? This would be a
sign of a very rich mixture indicating adjustment is needed. Is this a 2
or 4 stroke? If it is a 2-stroke, the oil mixture may be too high
causing the plugs to foul.

 

Brian Chandler wrote:

Yes but it has not run for very long, and under any power, if that makes
any difference?, so I did expect it to be in that condition, but it was
not overly sooty.

  Is this a 2

It is a single four stroke engine.

Thanks for the speedy reply, and more please inform ;-)

Cheers Vaughn

 

Vaughn wrote:


Sounds like it is running too rich. It could be in need of adjustment or
the float needle is not seating properly. If you don't have a manual
handy you can start by carefully turning the idle mix screw CW until it
stops (do not twist too hard when it stops, it is made of brass and is
soft). Now, turn the screw CCW 1.25 turns. Try starting the engine. This
  is a base setting. You can try slow gradual turns of the screw with
the engine running to fine adjust. Without any shop manual, I find the
resetting that gives the highest idle speed and then turn CCW 1/4 turn.
Try to get a shop manual to get more precise instructions.

It is possible that the carb needs cleaned and rebuilt if the float
needle is not seating. The main sign the float is not seating is if gas
is running out of the overflow at idle or when the engine is off and the
fuel valve is open.

 

Brian Chandler wrote:

Remember doing this sort of thing with the old cars I had, but here we
were talking of 1.5 to 2 turns for initial set up, so thanks for the
help on the bike area. Should have a manual very soon ;-) Will defiantly
give this a try



No fuel leaks at all, so I hope this is ok, but next summer I may try a
full recondition, if I get enough time.

Thanks for the help Vaughn