Bike fires but wont stay started

[Chaz]

Okay, flow is good.

Your feet will not be able to detect a small compression leak.

You may have to visually inspect the gaskets and seals.

Just for the **** of it, try gapping the plug down to .022 which will help with a weak spark.

 

[ninjaplatypus42]

Re-gapping the spark plug is a good idea. I'll ty that tomorrow when it's not pouring rain. I'll look at the gaskets tonight. Would they just suddenly go bad? This is a pretty new engine so they're not old.

 

[Chaz]

Could be a weak spot that just gave way. Probably made from old newspapers and goo.

Possibly the head has warped. This would be a good time to mill the head and top of cylinder if you have not already done so. There's some sticky threads covering this. Very simple to do.

 

[crassius]

most auto parts stores will loan one for free - plug it in and hold throttle open while kicking several times till gauge stops going up

compression can feel good while kicking if a seal is bad, but gauge will only show 25# or so

 

[ninjaplatypus42]

Psi should be about what? 80? 90?

 

[Chaz]

Here's some good reading for you.

http://motorbicycling.com/showthread.php?t=61085