[frasderp]

Hey guys. Hoping someone can help, I'm pulling my hair out here.

Around Christmas, bike was getting hard to start. I parked it up to change the water pump. This was a ~3 month window. After that, bike wouldn't start.

I pulled the carb off and gave it a clean out etc, but didn't replace any jets or anything. Threw it all back together still no go, although bike would backfire a bit.

This weekend (EIGHT months later!) I did the valves. Intake was fine, exhaust had nearly tighted completely up. Has been reshimmed to spec, but now, after reassembling, still won't start.

I have checked the spark plug looked ok, gave it a clean anyway.

I'm going crazy, I am really frustrated and don't know what to do next guys...

Only other bit of info, the kickstart lever sometimes has a 'hard point' which is hard to kick through, I assume that's just a certain point in one of the strokes?

[mossman77]

It's curious to hear that your EXHAUST valves tightened up. They typically don't move much at all after the break-in period. The titanium intake valves are historically the ones that move. Are you positive you shimmed everything properly? I would say a leakdown test is in order to check the health of the engine. You said you cleaned the spark plug, but are you sure you're getting a spark? There are so many things that will keep the motor from running. You need to get a service manual and go through a host of checks.

It's normal for the resistance of the kickstarter to change as you rotate through the strokes. It gets really stiff when you approach TDC compression because all the valves are closed.

[frasderp]

Ok so bit more story, about 40 hours on the bike, and I bought it at 35.

When I did the valves, the intakes had hot cams shims in them, so I am assuming they had been done, exhausts I presume were stock shims.

Checked spark today, it's fine.

Fuel is getting to the plug, but no idea if the carb is mixing it properly. So I assume I should be investigating carb problems now?

I also can't bump start the bike as when it's cold, I can't push the bike with clutch in and in gear...

[mossman77]

In addition to checking over the carb, you need to check the health of the engine as well, by doing a leakdown test.

To bump start, push while in neutral, hop on bike, put in gear, then pop the clutch.