Hitchcocks Forum

Hi quickly looseing the will to live
Bullet 500 2002 4 speed
Just can't get it to start, kicks over fires then stops
Tried resetting timing changed jets to standard
Mikcarb
Kicks back sometimes backfires sometimes
Took plug out sooted up so assuming flooding ?,not getting enough fuel ?
Any advice as my right leg is giving up
Cheers H

You have most likely checked this but.... is the fuel tap turned to “on”

Hi guys------Fresh or stale petrol or some water in tank ??( Been off the road during Winter ??)---Empty the tank and re-fill with NEW petrol---Remove air filter----make sure the "Fuel on" position actually shows a flow of fuel----New plug of the CORRECT grade fitted -----no flooding from carb. overflow pipes ----try again.

Often a poor spark at the bottom of poor starting/running. Duff condenser would do it. As would a duff plug or a bad battery earth connection. Was it running well before?

QUICK AND EASY TO TRY:
Loosen fuel-filler cap and see if that makes a difference.
See if the rubber to the carb is split?
I'd echo what the others say, and stress Alan's comment of a NEW... not just cleaned ..spark plug.
How long since the last service? It could well be worth putting those new items in for a try, eg points etc, then at least you eliminate them AND it might work.
Is the "choke" in the correct position?

(I recently had massive running problems with my car and it turned out to be the NEW condenser I'd put in was faulty....)

Good luck, Chris

Worst case scenario is that you'll end up with legs like Popeye's arms --LoL !!.....Which should be a good talking point down at your local pub, and may even get you a free pint or two !!

Those are my legs !!!!!!
Just rebuilt the bike got it started once about a month ago then no go since then I will try new petrol though thanks for the replies
H

I forgot to add}--- Before you do any of those Petrol-involved checks, ie}--- no vapour at or near your bike, check the quality of the spark on your NEW plug.......You should hear a nice, well defined "crack" and see an intense blue spark at the electrodes....If it's barely audible and shows a weak, redish colour then start checking all the connections, followed by a new condenser (cheapest option)--- then maybe consider the coil ?? ... My Bullet '65 came with a Bransden Electronic ignition system ( which according to receipts must be about 8 years old now ) and a PVL coil......

Anyway, do let us know how you go on with it. Hope all's well; otherwise I'm sure more useful suggestions will follow.

Is your bike a model with a left and a right kickstart?
Otherwise, how come both legs are the same... I always wonder if professional tennis players get one arm more muscled up than the other?

Hi if your bike has points ignition check that there is no lift in cb cam, had similar with an iron barrel problem was crookbbushes in dist body giving variation in points gap, if an older model you will have bushes newer ones had ball races, ended up fitting a grease nipple on top of dist houseing.hope this helps.