Intruder decides not to start

[Chill]

Bike: 1987 Suzuki Intruder VS750. Has been dropping some oil recently but I've tried to keep it topped up. Ride it daily. Have noticed lately that when the bike starts it takes one of the cylinders a few seconds longer than the other - figure it's the cold.

Anyway, I gave the bike a good CRC spraying as I often do. Afterwards it refused to start. Left it overnight, gave it a wash this morning, topped up oil - still won't start. The battery seems fine - it ticks over, but the engine just won't fire.

Any ideas? Spark plugs maybe?

[Chill]

Dried the spark plugs and the area thoroughly with blow drier - wouldn't start.
Even tried a bit of CRC down there - no luck.
Still turns over and over without the engine firing.

Anybody?

[CookMySock]

Any spark?

Steve

[YellowDog]

I wouldn't squirt CRC into the chamber or get any on the plug head.

First thing to do is to make sure that the plug gap is close to what it should be and then turn her over to see if you are getting a spark.

If you are getting a spark and you have compression, is the fuel flowing through the carb into the cylinder?

If all this is happening as it should, try turning the engine with a reducing choke down to nothing over several turns.

Basically, if you have compression and fuel and a spark.................

[Chill]

The chamber is pretty deep so they are difficult to see/get too. I don't have many tools... don't have any spark plug wrenches - is that the only way to remove them? But I can't see any sparks

[YellowDog]

The chamber is pretty deep so they are difficult to see/get too. I don't have many tools... don't have any spark plug wrenches - is that the only way to remove them? But I can't see any sparks
You have to first take the spark plug out. Most socket sets have a plug wrench.

Attache the plug to the HT lead and then hold it (with gloves on) against the block whilst turning the engine.

You will then see if it is sparking.

Do this for all of the plugs.

Hopefully it is as simple as your gap is way out.

[YellowDog]

The chamber is pretty deep so they are difficult to see/get too. I don't have many tools... don't have any spark plug wrenches - is that the only way to remove them? But I can't see any sparks
I've just re-read you post.

I think we are at cross purposes here.

You need to get soemone with tools and mechanical knowledge to take a look at your bike.

That's the only way.

Good luck.

[rphenix]

Bike: 1987 Suzuki Intruder VS750. Has been dropping some oil recently but I've tried to keep it topped up. Ride it daily. Have noticed lately that when the bike starts it takes one of the cylinders a few seconds longer than the other - figure it's the cold.

Anyway, I gave the bike a good CRC spraying as I often do. Afterwards it refused to start. Left it overnight, gave it a wash this morning, topped up oil - still won't start. The battery seems fine - it ticks over, but the engine just won't fire.

Any ideas? Spark plugs maybe?

Get yourself a sparkplug kit to remove the plugs go down to repco you could clean the plugs but if you don't have the tools to remove the plugs yet then I would say the plugs probably should be changed anyway and plugs are cheap!