Hitchcocks Forum

Could you give me some advice on this one: Bullet 500 CI; Timing ignition o.k. Alternator o.k. keeping battery at 12.72 volts; have tried all sort of procedures all with same result: engine might cough once after ignition switched on but it seldom fires and starts; repeatedly kick starting might ultimately start the engine if I keep throttle closed. I can start engine straight away if I open throttle slightly at second attempt: this will result in kickback (sometimes blowing smoke out of air filter) and then, throttle slightly open at 3rd attempt, engine will start. I don't like this kickback business and would like the engine to fire at 2nd or 3rd attempt but opening the throttle might mean placing ultimately an order for a wooden leg and spares for oilpump etc. Many thanks for your advice. Clement.

Probably the first thing to try is a new plug? Cheap enough and if it doesn't fix it at least you have a spare😀

have tried this Pete - new NGK B8E S - also tried NGK BP7E S. Cheers.C

Sounds like the timing is slightly too advanced?

REgards, Mark

Had similar problems with 94 ci found bushes in points shaft worn on a very low milage bike or poor manufactureing allowing variable points gap.could take up to 10 min of kicking to start. Cure fitted a boyer ign system, problem gone.lots of shonkey parts out there even in supposed genuine re stuff buyer beware definitely applies

Not sure what a classic CL is but if it is carbed and has been kicking back and spitting i would check the inlet manifold, Rubber and fibre gasket..

An air leak here will inhibit the pilot circuit from working with a closed throttle. (lack of vacuum) so opening the throttle is the only way of pulling air across the needle jet.

Hence weak iffy starting with good chance of kick back..

Scotty: Fitting a Boyer would not have overcome any problems with a worn distributor...




As Mark said, your ignition timing is NOT correct, but is over advanced. Make sure the AA unit is functioning correctly.

Thing is Tim, if the dizzy is a bit worn in the bearings and the AR is not working correctly then the BB system will solve the problem.

Tim still using same dizzy since 1995 with bb same no probs got a fair mileage on the bike gone through about 7 speedos ( NOT UNDERWARE)

Gwilly, I think clement meant CI, not CL (not clear from the sans serif font used on this forum). It stands for the classic Bullet engine with the Cast Iron cylinder barrel, as opppsed to the Electra-X and EFI models. I agree that worn bearings need replacing, not matter what you have fitted to the contact breaker assembly.



A.