I've followed everyone's instructions here and have adjusted the automatic decomp and the valves (after confirming I was at TDC on compression stroke).

The instructions from the site say to start the bike w/o putting all the covers and tank back on, since you have some gas in the carb bowl. However when I try this, I get the click/thunk from the decomp and then the bike doesn't turn at all.

Do you have to have the tank on for this to work?
I'm also the guy that had whatever that little idle gear fall off when I took the left side cover off (neighbor bashed in the timing bolt cover and I had to fish metal pieces out). The bike turns over fine using the wrench, which I was told proved I had it on the right way, but could I have the gear on backwards?

Any ideas appreicated. Had really hoped to be done with this today.

Thanks,
Derek

Take the starter off from the outside of the bike? Guess I have to look at how to do that. Turn it backwards from the timing nut hole?

Would it just be easier to take the left cover off and flip the gear? Anybody have a picture of what it's supposed to look like? Probably should've asked before I put the cover back on.

dex3703 wrote on 06/01/08 at 19:53:24:


Two bolts hold the starter in.  Take off the wire, and the two bolts.  Slide (tap) the strarter to the clutch side and it comes out.  Super easy....

Why....  what if it's in correctly??   Taking it apart means draining oil, redoing the gasket and making a general oily mess.  

Do the simple things first.....

Hi,

Here's something else to try - locate the starter solenoid - its bolted to the rear fender and lives deep under the seat.

Peel back the rubber boot that covers the electrical connections on the top of the solenoid and ....... making sure the ignition is on and the bikes in neutral first (!) bridge the two large terminals with a screwdriver, one equiped with a wooden or plastic handle mind.

Only do this momentarily otherwise you will weld the screwdriver to the terminals  .

If the engine turns over when you bridge the terminals then you have an issue with the starter solenoid not the decomp solenoid and valves. If you are lucky its just a discharged battery, if not then the Clymer manual tells you how to test the integrity of the starter solenoid and its easy and cheap enough to replace.

Also, by the sound of it the bike suffered some trauma around the starter motor area so it could well be worth unbolting the starter motor and making sure it will turn freely, it could be stuck.

And one other thing I have just thought of - does your bike have to start with the clutch in? If so make sure the connections on the handlebar switch are sound and remember that if the bike is in gear and the side stand is down, the bike won't turn even with the clutch safety switch activated (there's another one on the side stand to prevent you riding off with it down).

I hope some of that helps chap.

All the Best

Very cool.  I'm glad it worked out for you.  I adjusted my valves the other day, and I'm still on pins and needles, waiting to hear some ugly noise that explains where I left my wrist watch.

Look at the mount where the starter goes. Is it STraight? Is there anything jacking the thing sideways a bit, binding the gears up? Pop the side cover off & leave the starter in place & see whats binding. Hang tough,, youll win, some things just require a certain amount of head sctratching.

I didn't actually do the wrench turning backwards, because when I looked inside with the starter motor off, it was clear that I had the gear on backwards compared to the pictures.

Can somebody send me a diagram of how these things are suposed to go on? Or tell me the order of the parts? Which side does the washer go on?

Thanks, Derek

According to the diagram at Ronayers.com, there isn't a washer on this gear at all. I might have put it in the wrong place. I guess we'll see.

http://fiche.ronayers.com/Index.cfm/Module/Main/TypeID/26/Type/Motorcycle/Mak...

If anyone has any other suggestions or tips please let me know. I"m in Seattle if anybody wants to volunteer to help.