my 86

[86500]

hello all!

I bought an 86 steelie about a year ago, have ridden it 10 times maybe since owning it. I noticed this spring a bit of seepage from the head gasket dripping down the outside of the cylinder. It was always jetted wrong and I knew this, it wasnt horrible just not right. I replaced the head gasket this spring and I cannot get it to start. I am 285 lbs and I can stomp the kicker and get a good fast kick. Ive never had this problem with this bike it normally starts for me on the first or second good one i give it. I used the exact same head gasket with some copper spray, no leaks but no starts either! Its got spark though it may be weak, and its got a junk pj carb on it but it never gave me too much trouble before.

Where do i start?

[josh]

i would keep it simple and try a new spark plug. new fuel, and clean the carb.

[86500]

i have a box full of br8/9es and its got a new plug,

i really think this pj is giving me the buisness.
cant really afford a new pwk right now.
has anyone tried that smart carb yet?

im gonna kick it with a guage in the lung today,
whats my compression supposed to be at?

[saharamike]

Take the pj carb completely apart and clean it. And make sure the air filter is clean.

[Tharrell]

Spark, compression and fuel.
The holy triad.

[86500]

well said! thanks for the replys everyone!

it always started before and nothings changed besides the head gasket, im going to clean the carb but can anyone tell me what a good number for compression is?

I will update

[86500]

still no go

bike ran great, noticed the leaking coolant down the side of the cylinder, replaced the head gasket, no start.

i guess i need to do a leakdown test..

when i kick the starting stroke, it makes a loud CLAK but not a combustion noise, i think the kicker does it?

damn

[Kuma]

is the clack the kicker hitting the peet peg? supposed to do that.
if no spark and you just replaced the head then recheck the wiring, sounds like something up with the coil?
If you are sure there is no spark, pull the plug out hang on to the piug wire, be sure to ground your self on the motor and have some one give it a good kick

[TYSTYX]

is the clack the kicker hitting the peet peg? supposed to do that.
if no spark and you just replaced the head then recheck the wiring, sounds like something up with the coil?
If you are sure there is no spark, pull the plug out hang on to the piug wire, be sure to ground your self on the motor and have some one give it a good kick

If you read his first post you would've noticed that he did have spark