Gremlins Do Exist
I can't figure this thing out. It just starts hard. Everything is spot on (ignition timing, carb, intake, cam's timed, adjusted accelerator pump, wire continuity, new spark plugs, valves set . . . etc) Now I removed the magneto(sent it to my magneto guy to check it out) and added a distributor(timer), battery and coil, and it acts the same. I need to get it running and take it for a good ride around the neighborhood, maybe some slow speed backroads - get some carbon built up . . . that always helps it seems. I run 8.5 std compression, 4 1/2" stroke, new Super E, Andrews AB, and have tried 3 different types of spark plugs. Starts best cold, enrichener up, couple shots of fuel, throttle closed, timing full advanced. It takes about 5-10 kicks. After it runs to warm up - then I can't get it to start. Valves aren't tight, has spark, has fuel, had the timing every which way . . . Fart. I hate to start changing "big stuff" . . . since it should start and run fairly decent with about any combination, especially this combination. Hey, at least it looks kinda cool?! Best thing is just keep checking things, and not get too excited. Maybe I should ship this out to Kerry in Placerville? He knows how to make a panhead run . . .
I had the same problem with my '63 XLCH. Started good cold but was an absolute bitch to start warm, no matter what I did. I replaced almost everything, magneto, points, cams, tried 3 different carbs, nothing helped, not even a full top end rebuild by Baisleys. One day I got pissed and tore off the Super E carb and threw it across the garage. Eventually I put it back on, loosened the heads to get a good seal, bolted it back up and shazam, it started better warm. But still not great. I sold it to Japanese gentlemen not long after. My point is, some bikes are just sunzabitches no matter what you do. But damn your bike sure looks good!!(:
ReplyDeleteMaybe my intake is leakin'??? I'll shoot it with soap bubbles again.
ReplyDeleteThis is probably not your problem but...........I had a Shovelhead with a crappy starter so I kicked... Sometimes 2 kicks, sometimes 20... I was using automotive
ReplyDeleteoil and that was part of the problem...That and the change to unleaded fuel...
I finally pulled the heads off to take a look.. The only thing I found was the intake valve stems were slightly galled.. I put a reamer down the guides and the new valve fit good.. I touched up the seats and valves....It started every time within one or two kicks.................1,000 miles later....Same shit..
I switched to bronze guides on the intakes only.......End O Problem...
The unleaded fuel plus the 20W50 Castrol (smog formula additive package) Were the cause of the galling.. I should have known better.. Galled valve can stick just enough during kicking speed to bleed off and lose the proper mixture.. And the weird thing is, with electric start the bike started just fine..
Sounds highly possible - I try not to overlook any probable causes.
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