Hi,

I'm the guy with all the problems after having to take the stator cover off while adjusting the valves. I finally have it all back together and it seems to be installed properly--everything turns just fine.

Now the problem is bike still won't start. It cranks a couple times strongly and then slower, slower, stops. The battery is new and I've been charging it, but the bike won't turn over strongly enough. I'm afraid to leave it on the charger for long periods so just have it on the 2A setting for 2-3 hours a night before I go to bed.

Is there something else I'm missing?

Oh, and problem last time it wouldn't turn at all was the upper right bolts on the stator cover being tightened too much. I guess that's why the gasket comes with that grey sealer up there. Would be nice if the manual said something about tightening that less.

Any suggestions appreciated.

I don't have the tank on as I didn't want to take it all off if I did the valves wrong. I read an article here that said it would probably run long enough off the bowl to check. Will the bike run w/o the tank on, or does it have to be hooked up? It last started probably 4 months ago.

When I last tested it with the voltmeter cold before trying to charge it it was 11.5 volts. Thus the charger. If I set the charger to 10A it almost immediately goes to charged; if I put it on 2A it just charges indefinitely. Fluid is fine, and like I said it's a new battery.

I would think if you've had the tank off for four months, the carb is probably dry.  Thats a long time with all those hoses pulled off the carb.  

I think I'd go ahead and install the tank.  It only takes a few minutes, and it might save you a bundle of time.  Charge the battery up good, set your petcock to "pri" for 30 seconds or so, then try starting it.

Alternatively, you could fill the bowl with a tiny funnel or something.  Or have an assistant hold the tank and just hook up the fuel line to fill it and get it running.  The straight answer to your question is yes.  It will run without the tank, but only if there is still fuel in the carburetor.

I had mine off today to check the valves again.  It ran just fine without the tank for the five seconds or so I needed to hear it.  

Seems like the battery should put out 13.5-15 volts when fully charged.  I suppose that depends some on what kind it is.  Mine generally reads 14 or so.

If the tank is off, you also have an open vacuum line - the one that goes to the fuel valve. That will give an air leak into the manifold, and might make it reluctant to run.

Seems to me the battery is about a 14 amp-hour one. At 2 amps, it could take anywhere up to eight or ten hours to charge, if it is really dead. Most chargers taper off the charge as the battery approaches full charge, so you most likely won't hurt it if you leave it overnight.