falco wont start, any ideas?

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Steve_P · #1 Post by **Steve_P** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 8:08 pm

Its been stood since about xmas ish, just spend 2 hours working on it and fitting my new MPL slave cylinder. Tried to start it and it wont fire. Battery is good, its been on the optimate for months. Fuel in the tank but its quite low. As soon as I give it any throttle or use the choke/thottleopener lever, it just pops and makes a right bang inside the engine, sounds like someone hitting the engine with a hammer. Its only ever done this once before when touring in the lakes, and it fired eventually. Any ideas?

HisNibbs · #2 Post by **HisNibbs** » Tue Apr 07, 2009 9:39 pm

Possibly flooded. If you are sure the battery is good then I'd try turning it over with the throttle wide open.

Falcopops · #3 Post by **Falcopops** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 2:39 am

I agree with HisNibbs, wind the throttle fully open, then press the starter.

I'd totally not do what it sounds like you've been doing. playing withthe throttle when cranking is a recipe for disaster. Good way to bugger up your sprag clutch. Not such an issue in later bikes, but why risk it?

D-Rider · #4 Post by **D-Rider** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:54 am

Yep I'm with this diagnosis.

Falcopops wrote:I agree with HisNibbs, wind the throttle fully open, then press the starter.

I'd totally not do what it sounds like you've been doing. playing withthe throttle when cranking is a recipe for disaster. Good way to bugger up your sprag clutch. Not such an issue in later bikes, but why risk it?

Dale, in the interests of understanding the difference between the various Falco years, why do you believe the sprag issues may be less of a problem for later bikes? - I don't think I've heard this before.

Cheers

Tweaker · #5 Post by **Tweaker** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:15 pm

Sorry to disagree with all the wise sages but......

Fuel in the tank but its quite low.

is the crucial bit of info for me.
Fuel deteriorates with age and, since there isn't much in there anyway, most of what's left is likely to be the heavy remnants. My bet is fresh fuel will fix it.

HowardQ · #6 Post by **HowardQ** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 12:50 pm

I'd just like to pretty much agree with everybody, (well it makes a change!).
New fuel first then try again, old unleaded turns to gunge. If still no joy then try the full throttle option for a few seconds then back it right off again and usually fires as you back off. It would really be a good idea to check at least one plug, if wet the above could help, but you ultimately need to be sure you have four good sparks.

Falco9 · #7 Post by **Falco9** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 4:25 pm

All the above and remember to pull the clutch in whilst you crank the motor over this takes a bit more strain off the sprag clutch

F9

Steve_P · #8 Post by **Steve_P** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 7:13 pm

lef it over night, and held the throttle wide open today, some horrible clanking noises but it fired up within 10 seconds. After that I went out in the truck and got a gallon of unleaded and put that in the bike so its got some fresh fuel. I must remember to go out once a week and fire it for 5 mins

Aladinsaneuk · #9 Post by **Aladinsaneuk** » Wed Apr 08, 2009 9:36 pm

no, you must treat it like a woman - get on the bitch and give it a good hard ride as often as you can

ok ladies i'll get my coat

Falcomille · #10 Post by **Falcomille** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:32 am

... if you can wake it up first..

sabestian · #11 Post by **sabestian** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 5:51 am

Falcomille wrote:... if you can wake it up first..

Why would that be necessary?

Tweaker · #12 Post by **Tweaker** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 9:37 am

sabestian wrote:
Falcomille wrote:... if you can wake it up first..
Why would that be necessary?

So she can make the tea afterwards of course

HowardQ · #13 Post by **HowardQ** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 12:02 pm

Bloody good job Ligloo and BG don't come in here very often.

Although once again, I have to agree with everybody.
On second thoughts, some toast or a bacon sarnie, would be a good idea along with the tea!

Falcomille · #14 Post by **Falcomille** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 4:02 pm

HowardQ wrote:Bloody good job Ligloo and BG don't come in here very often.
Although once again, I have to agree with everybody.
On second thoughts, some toast or a bacon sarnie, would be a good idea along with the tea!

Good god, my memory is not THAT good! Sex and breakfast... very seventies

Falken · #15 Post by **Falken** » Thu Apr 09, 2009 8:08 pm

Can't wait till i get in my seventies.