- Push start button . . . nothing. Aha! Clutch safety switch not engaged. Bridged with a set of vise-grips temporarily.
- Push start button again. This time the starter cranks like a champ, but engine isn't igniting.
-Check plugs - yep: they're getting spark (ouch!)
-Check gas - yep: it's getting to the float bowls (not sure if it's getting to the engine from there)
-Check compression - yep: with spark plugs removed, air is coming out the holes (I think that's how you check compression??)
-Check engine - yep: it turns easily with bike in gear, rotating the rear tire.
***Drat! Now the battery is dead. Will have to wait until tomorrow to try again.
So, what am I missing? I've never tried to bring back a bike from the dead. This one was running before going into storage 3-4 years ago. Anything else I should be looking into? I cleaned the carbs thoroughly a month or 2 ago, and replaced float bowl gaskets. Does it just take a couple of charges of the battery and lots of cranking to get the gas to the engine on a bike that's been stored this long?
On the plus side, all the electronics seem to work: light, signals, instrument cluster (including gear indicator), gas gauge, brake light, etc. I think once I get it running, the only thing left to do is get the brakes working. The front master cylinder is pretty gummed up inside, but the rear seems operational. Not sure of condition of calipers at this point. We'll see.
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