[230s aren't bad]

about 2 months ago, I was riding my 2003 CRF 230F, and I ran out of gas, I thought "no big deal I will just put it on reserve and ride home", it started up fine, no problems, I don't remember if I ran the fuel out of the line when I got home or not, but about a month later I tried to start it up, it cranked, but wouldn't engage, I tried roll starting, didn't work, I immediately suspected spark plug, and I replaced it, still wouldn't start, then I moved to carburetor I cleaned it out, blew it out, put it back on, with no luck, I have no clue what it could be at this point, I'm very new to this, and I'm desperate to get back on the trails. HELP!

[Aussiecrf230]

Hi,
I would first confirm fuel is getting to the carburettor by removing the hose at the carby and check you have good flow into a container.
If there was gung on the screen in the fuel tank it may have hardened preventing fuel flow.
Have you checked the idle jet is clean, this is a common starting problem.
Do you smell fuel when cranking?

You replaced the spark plug but do you have any spark?
With the plug out and grounded against engine try starting and see if you have a good blue/white spark at the electrodes.

Have you checked the ignition is on(don't laugh seen it done) and kill switch is not grounded preventing starting?

Try those few things and let us know what you find.

[230s aren't bad]

thanks for the response! I will defiantly check those out!

[230s aren't bad]

thanks to your suggestions turns out I don't have spark, any suggestions on what I should do next?

[Aussiecrf230]

Was there absolutely no spark or very weak.

Do you have access to a multimeter because you will need to do some resistance measuring.

But first go through and check connections and no broken wires.
Make sure the clutch lever switch and kill switches are working properly.
You can disconnect both but will have to use a small wire to basically connect the wires going to clutch lever to make ignition circuit.
Wouldn't be the first time that they were preventing spark.

Make sure the spark plug lead is not pulled out of coil.

I will assume the key is on before you tried to start.

Have you ever used a circuit diagram in fault finding?

[Aussiecrf230]

Do you have the workshop manual?

This wiring diagram may help
https://www.rickramsey.net/CRF230Flg/CR ... iagram.jpg

[230s aren't bad]

yes I made sure I had the key on, and there was no spark, the clutch idea sounds interesting, I haven't tried that yet, thank you for the wiring diagram, and I do have a multimeter.

[230s aren't bad]

forgot to come back and say what the problem was, but better late than never I guess. for anyone that's curious, the problem was a bad CDI. its a small black box that sits behind your headlight/front plate. I easily overlooked it, and spent a good deal of time researching, and fixing things that didn't need to be fixed. hope this saves someone some time.

[Aussiecrf230]

Well they don't often go bad nowadays.

Great that you let everyone know what your issue was.