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I've read all the starting drill and jetting threads multiple times, but I'm stumped trying to get my new engine to start. I started it twice last month easily (using the drill, thanks guys), but never rode the bike (didn't have tires, chain, etc.). It was 50 degrees out then. Now the bike is complete and ready for her maiden voyage. Today it's in the 40s and I can't get the bike to even fart. Frustrating!

New '85 engine with '86 jug. '85 head. Lot's of compression, takes a real serious kick. Ported with exhaust bridge removed and intakes altered also. Using new RadValve.

PWK 40.5mm. I've tried 48 and 40 pilots, and every conceivable adjustment of the air screw and idle adjustment. The carburetor has a new float needle and new choke mechanism (I started the engine before with the old needle and choke). I haven't set the float level

'97CR250R ignition. I gapped the flywheel-sparker gap at 0.028". Could I have an issue with ignition timing?

New plug gapped at 0.030" -- The spark is there, but I'd call it weak. Maybe a weak coil? Bad wire?

I resorted to pulling off the seat and air filter (new, clean filter btw) and trying starting fluid, but it still won't light. I don't have a quad to pull start it with. The cylinder is getting gas, but doesn't seem to be flooding.

I know some of you probably get tired of us rookies having trouble starting our bikes, but I'm open to any advice!

try starting fluid to see if it pops off.

I tried it. Starting fluid wouldn't light.

plynn41 wrote:I tried it. Starting fluid wouldn't light.

then its ignition. replace plug, make sure all connections are tight/not arcing

If you tryed starting fluid it has to be ignition.
Pull the plug and put it back in the cap ground it against the head and give it a kick to see if you have spark. If no spark disconnect the kill switch and check again. If no spark check the plug cap screwed onto the coil wire, i would trim the end and put it back on and check for spark. If still nothing try another CDI and check the coil and stator you can ohm check it but you will need a manual.

Good Luck

try to set the pickup coil on your stator at .017 it made a world of differance on the 99 250 stator i installed on mine starts first kick
stone cold, found some whear the 250 is set at that

he said it started easily last month . mine wont start either. think the coil or stator died. just too damn cold to mess with it right now

You guys think you have it tough?
Try kicking one from the left side

jarnott71 wrote:try to set the pickup coil on your stator at .017 it made a world of differance on the 99 250 stator i installed on mine starts first kick
stone cold, found some whear the 250 is set at that

Thanks for the tip. The spark is definitely dead. I don't know where it went, but it's gone. I've used two new plugs (in case one was defective).

I spent some time on it today in 60degree weather. Regapped like Jarnott71 suggested and it's still dead. Replaced the coil with a good one off my '97 CR250R, and still no fire. Replaced the CDI with the one off the running 250 and still no fire.

I removed the stator and looked it over, and can't see anything wrong visually, but I'm to the point I'm going to check the wires and see if one is broken.

Hey 100HP, do I sound like a dishonest person? The bike fired the first time on the first kick after going through the starting drill after assembly and idled immediately. I started it once more the next day for about 30 seconds. Didn't let it run very long because the radiators weren't mounted. I've got no reason to tell stories.

sorry for the confusion plynn. comment wasnt directed toward you but the other guys that suggested starting fluid, plug cap, ground, and air gap. the bike ran fine a month ago, now it dont start..... if i was working on the bike, just that little bit of info would rule out plug cap, ground issue and airgap. these things cant really change on their own from sitting in the corner of the garage. coil, plug, stator and cdi can go bad from sitting. those are the places i would start to look first. my bike is experiencing same problem as you, its pretty cold here now but when it warms up you can guess where ill start looking for my no start issues .

It's cool 100HP

It's called a process of elimantion. He had it started before it was finished and now it is finished. So he had to work on it.
I always use the K.I.S.S. method Keep It Simple Stupid you would be amazed things people have done and worked on for hours to find something simple wrong.

I tell ya what guys, I think I must have broke a wire that comes from the stator when I was putting it together. I started the bike with the CDI hanging over the frame. The radiators weren't mounted and the tank was sitting loose. It wasn't till after starting the bike that I figured out how to mount the larger 250R CDI, and I tried a couple of different options--I think I must have damaged a wire in the process of trying to route the wires and mount the CDI.

I think I've eliminated everything except the stator assembly, and I doubt that the internal part of the stator went bad on me. I hope it's a wire or connection in the plastic plug that came loose and can be fixed.

I've still got a stock '88 ignition I can fall back on also.

Thanks for the comments!

100hp honda wrote:sorry for the confusion plynn. comment wasnt directed toward you but the other guys that suggested starting fluid, plug cap, ground, and air gap. the bike ran fine a month ago, now it dont start..... if i was working on the bike, just that little bit of info would rule out plug cap, ground issue and airgap. these things cant really change on their own from sitting in the corner of the garage. coil, plug, stator and cdi can go bad from sitting. those are the places i would start to look first. my bike is experiencing same problem as you, its pretty cold here now but when it warms up you can guess where ill start looking for my no start issues .

a month is a long time to sit. any one of 100 things could happen, its easiest to start with simple crap right off the start even if you "think" it hasnt been touched. I follow this procedure every time i have a problem, and it has saved me lots of time in the past.

Just a follow up.

I put an '88cr500r ignition on the bike this afternoon and it started the first kick. I still haven't clicked it into gear and rode it though. Had my boy standing by with a camera for youtube, but the bike instantly did the "rev to the moon" thing on me. Scared the snot out of me for a couple of reasons, not least of which was the money I've spent on this engine! I've got to put the 48 pilot back in the carburetor and get my settings back to something that the bike will like, and don't have the time this afternoon.

I'll plan on working out the kinks in the 250 ignition later. I want to ride this thing!