Hi All,

i have just acquired an early 1980's XT600, kickstart only. it appears to be an Italian import (i am in UK). it's all there, a bit scruffy (but it is 20+ years old). i can get a spark, it has a new carb on it (so i am told) and lots of compression.
But i cannot get it to fire let alone run. I know that there is a very wide range of things it could be, but i wondered if anyone could help me with where to start?
I also imagine that there is a "knack" to kicking the beast up too. i want to tackle the problem systematically and am keen to hear any ideas as to where i should begin.
i do have some basic engineering knowledge and skills, but as said, there may be a preferred route to solving the problem.

the bike is too good to be left in a dark corner! i need to get it running then i can think about getting it registered for road use in teh UK.
i am unsure of the year, but it has disc front brake and a drum rear, monoshock rear suspension, gold rimmed wheels.

Any help welcome. cheers.

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Many thanks, Grub

Sounds (with a good spark and no reaction from the cylinder at all) like it could be a fuel supply problem.
My first act now, (with my limited knowledge! ) would be to take out the plug and get someone to kick it over while I hold my thumb over the hole. If your thumb comes out wet with petrol then at least some is being fired into the cylinder. If it's dry you know it's a fuel supply problem.
Matt

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... and/or excessive fuel is another option.

My XT '94 gets blocked if I open the throttle even a little while starting (it is an electric start). So I do not touch the throttle while starting. It also needs pulling the choke synchronically while starting. These may be unique to my piece of old metal but keep in mind.

What about trying some downhill for starting?

Can Ozcan

Is there fuel in the carb? Unscrew the drain screw at the bottom (side access) and see if anything remotely like gas dribbles out (if it's not fresh, it's 10 year old sludge).

Does it fire at all? Listen to it kicking over without the electrics on, and then kick it over with. If the mix explodes up for a rev or two, you're getting somewhere.

Does it fire any differently with or without choke?

Does it fire differently with or without 1/4 to 1/2 throttle?

Look under the carb and you will see a screw in a protruding post. Screw it in, counting the turns. Then try to kick it over with the screw out 0 turns all the way to 3 turns. Any difference in how it reacts?

If it does not respond differently to ANY of the above tricks (shotgun approach to trying different air/fuel ratios), you need to pull the carb and clean it out. Old fuel will rot the rubber gaskets, clog the jets, and otherwise wreak havoc if not drained from the carb when the bike is put in storage. Also, you can try disconnecting the decompression cable and see if it can't be kicked over. Without decompression, you should have a nearly immobile kickstarter lever once you hit TDC.

Also, is the plug gapped properly?

Most likely it's gonna be gone-off petrol.Drain tank,flush out and put some nice shiny new go juice in.Whip the carb off(might be a bugger to get at but it's usually worth the hassle now rather than later)and give it a damn good clean out,especially if there's a coating of horrid smelling gunge inside(the residue of what once was petrol).The petrol these days doesn't store well at all,seems the good bits in it evaporate quite quickly.

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Just going for a short ride on my bike....

Hi Stubby

"Go juice"? !!! You mean as in "10 litres of go juice please". You manage very well.

XXX

Hi grub

I have a 1984 xt600 and there is a knack to starting it. First slowly kick the bike over as if you were not trying to start it and as you are doing it listen for a click on the down stroke then release the kick start and kick it over as normal. if every thing else is ok with the bike then it should start. this what i have to do with mine or i would be kicking it all day. Be patient as it can sometimes take a while to get used to.
hope this helps you.

davie

Dear All,
thanks for the information (especially with regard to the technique for kicking up Davie). i did not have much chance to play this weekend so hope to get to it later in the week. I shall start with the fresh fuel, clean the carb (making sure the inlet rubbers are sealing correctly), new plug (correctly sized gap of course), make sure the auto decompressor cable is set right and then try the new kick method!!

I shall report back with progress!! again thanks for the help and advice, you never know i could be up and running by the weekend!!

Cheers, Grub

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Many thanks, Grub

Hi Ian
I would try the fresh fuel and clean the plug then try the knack to kicking it before buying new parts and stripping down the carb it may be easier and less chance of anything else happening if you strip the carb.

davie

You are probably right of course... getting too excited and running before i can walk! change a few/one things at a time is the best policy. i'm just impatient to see it run! then i can start to moan about all osrts of other stuff that doesn't work!

cheers Davie.

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Many thanks, Grub