Forum

[Presto]

With the best will in the world - as I said suggestions ad infinitum!! I bet the final remedy will be something really simple.

[Presto]

Going against my own rules! - no one has mentioned the battery. Electronic ignition requires a good current to avoid possible mistiming. Maybe worth a check. Maybe already checked! ATB

[kram]

Adrian: timing has been set at TDC, 1/16,1/8,3/16,1/4 Before TDC .
Mark M : It’s got a Boyer Branden ingnition kit on , all new parts have been sourced from Hitchcocks and have used the parts books from their online website, the bike came in a box so was a non runner when bought but all the engine work has been done by a bike restorer

[Aethelric]

Are you sure you have the spark at the right TDC - i.e the compression as opposed to the exhaust stroke?

[Mark M]

Here's a bit of reading to be going on with. Go to the Home Page, select Information and Forum then choose Technical Notes, 250 Engine Rebuild. This was written by Jack Gray who was a real 250 expert (and an all round good bloke too). See if it sounds the same as your rebuild. You didn't say which Boyer Bransden system, the Mk3 and earlier are very susceptible to misbehaving at low battery voltage, you ideally need 12v plus to be certain this is not part of the problem. You should also know that the Crusader engine was developed quite a bit over it's 10 year life and there were some quite substantial changes to the internals which also affect valve gear, camshaft, pushrods and more.

REgards, Mark

[Presto]

kram did say he had good compression - which suggests (so far as the starting problem is concerned) that the motor has been rebuilt to be substantially correct. Good compression, fuel/air to somewhere near right, spark at the right time from the plug when fitted and you have a starting engine.



(Seems like could well be ignition timing problem - but who knows?)

[RoSy]

Even if you are timed on the wrong stroke you're still going to get a pop and a bang somewhere if there is a spark and fuel !! if you're getting nothing at all, then I think it's back to basics and start from the beginning. But please keep us informed because threads like this that, if & when it's fixed help a load of others in the same situation, plus they're interesting to follow.

[Chris [Stockport]]

Is it a NEW spark plug; the old one can show a spark outside the engine but not in it. I was a bit amazed the first time I did that.
Good luck!

[kram]

Thanks for all the information guys, looks like I’m a bit stuck the mechanic that rebuilt the engine and was supposed to get it running has now washed his hands on the bike as he says he’s tried and done all he can. Going to have a look myself but with limited knowledge I may be struggling. If anybody knows of someone in the East Yorkshire region who may be able to help that would be great. Cheers

[Mark M]

Kram, are you a member of the REOC? You have a Branch on Humberside and there are a number of chaps who are active on other Forums, try the Royal Enfield GB page on Facebook for instance. Are you trying to do the work on the bike yourself or passing messages to the restorer? (And are you paying them? Don't like the sound of 'washing their hands of it'!) I have found in the past that the timing before TDC is critical and a very small amount, quite hard to measure.

REgards, Mark