Question: cannot kick start a 2 stroke bike

[awayatc]

I retired every 10 minutes

Gotta work tuesdays as well!

Make up your mind.....

[ajturbo]

Ya's gona update... cause yup i'll say we've all forgotten to dail up fuel lever from off to on......................

VERY red face material, when on start line of a race to see the flag drop... AND the revs.......

[quallman1234]

VERY red face material, when on start line of a race to see the flag drop... AND the revs.......

Or you dump the clutch.?

[Ducky848]

to your disappointment it wasn't any of the above lol. full tank petrol + oil, engine switch on and yes i turned the bike on before kick starting it!!

Strange thing it started all fine this morning. Tried a few times and worked everytime. Maybe it is really the haunted Tuesday

It was prolly flooded earlier on. Next time you have this issue try kicking it over half a dozen times with the throttle wide open to clear the cylinder, then close throttle and kick over normally. If you have a choke make sure it is not engaged.

[Str8 Jacket]

Check your spark plug as well though, in case it happens again.......

[quallman1234]

It was prolly flooded earlier on. Next time you have this issue try kicking it over half a dozen times with the throttle wide open to clear the cylinder, then close throttle and kick over normally. If you have a choke make sure it is not engaged.

with the ignition off.

[Irontusk]

Yeah always carry some fine sandpaper so you can give them bit of a clean.

Do NOT do this. Sanding spark plugs leaves small filings on the plug, when you put the plug back into the cylinder the filings get around and wear your rings out, I'm always having to tell customers at work this. Use a wire brush. (Customer will always say "But my dad always told me to do this and I've been doing it for years.") An old and overheated plug can also give hot starting problems.

Were you using the choke when it wouldn't start? If it was hot you might've flooded it. Try it with full throttle and no choke, it'll need alot of kicking over to clear the cylinder out.

[Irontusk]

with the ignition off.

The ignition being on/off doesn't effect the amount of air/fuel mixture entering the cylinder, should leave it on so when it gets close it'll start to fire a little bit, smoke a hell of alot, and then clear itself.

[The Pastor]

Do NOT do this. Sanding spark plugs leaves small filings on the plug, when you put the plug back into the cylinder the filings get around and wear your rings out, I'm always having to tell customers at work this. Use a wire brush. (Customer will always say "But my dad always told me to do this and I've been doing it for years.") An old and overheated plug can also give hot starting problems.

Were you using the choke when it wouldn't start? If it was hot you might've flooded it. Try it with full throttle and no choke, it'll need alot of kicking over to clear the cylinder out.

surely some 400 grit will be alright?

[Ixion]

It is a waste of time trying to clean a two smoker plug, unless it is an emergency measure to get to the nearest purveyor of plugs.

Always carry spares,and if a plug fouls, fit a new one.

No matter how you try to clean it (don't use sandpaper, if you must use a wire brush use a brass one. A hard sliver of plastic or horn is best), the plug will not be reliable

The best method if you must clear a fouled blug, is to fill the plug with petrol and ignite it. Do this two three time, then scrape clean. Then fit a new plug.

Did I mention to always carry spares? Best to add a couple of spare spares also, and if a long journey be proposed, some spares for the spare spares. IN fact, a prudent rider would probably fit a small trailer behind and load it up with sparkplugs.

In the old days I used to be able to change a two smoker sparkplug on the move, without stopping.

[slimjim]

Yup.Not sandpaper....nope no matter how lighter of a grit..as the other replys have said.. clear flood first..and yup carry one new plug..incase of..

[metalslug]

Thanks for the good advice guys! I got an uncle to have a look at it today to check the plug, turned out it was foul and not sparking at all. slapped in a new plug and bike is on with 1 easy kick . sweet as.

lesson learned : Always carry a new plug

[Jantar]

It also pays to correctly learn the 1 kick method of starting. Thsi method dates bake to the days when all bikes were magneto fired and needed a good strong spark that could not always be obtained via a kick start.

The 1 kick method of starting is 100% effective, but does require 3 people.

Person one is the rider who sits on the bike, engages second gear and holds in the clutch.

Person two stands behind the bike in a crouch with his hands hard agains the rear of the seat.

Person 3 stands 22 yards (20 meters or the length of a cricket pitch) behind the bike.

When person one says now, person three commences a run towards person 2, and at full speed delivers a single hard kick to person two's rump. Person two now gives the bike a hard shove forwards at which point person one lets out the clutch and gives a little throttle. The bike will start with no difficulty.

[FJRider]

It also pays to correctly learn the 1 kick method of starting. Thsi method dates bake to the days when all bikes were magneto fired and needed a good strong spark that could not always be obtained via a kick start.

The 1 kick method of starting is 100% effective, but does require 3 people.

Person one is the rider who sits on the bike, engages second gear and holds in the clutch.

Person two stands behind the bike in a crouch with his hands hard agains the rear of the seat.

Person 3 stands 22 yards (20 meters or the length of a cricket pitch) behind the bike.

When person one says now, person three commences a run towards person 2, and at full speed delivers a single hard kick to person two's rump. Person two now gives the bike a hard shove forwards at which point person one lets out the clutch and gives a little throttle. The bike will start with no difficulty.

You have the knack of making simple things difficult....
I used to find (when I had a 2 stroke...or a Honda) to carry a big hill in my backpack...

[CookMySock]

close the plug gap slightly, and use a super high-quality 2stroke oil, like Amsoil. Starts first or second kick, every time unless theres no gas in it.

Steve