Won't start :(

[Russian Concussion]

Hey everyone, long time no see. The bike sat on the lift since October as I was doing what needed to be done with it and taking my time as I only could wrench it an hour a week if I was lucky...

Things that were done:
1. Installed MarkT Trombones - took me a real long time, couldn't align them for a while
2. Replaced the air filter - disconnected, removed and drained the tank
3. Replaced the petcock with new parts (still have the old one which seems to be working but looks tired)

This past Sunday (yesterday) FINALLY put everything back together. Had to connect the petcock to the two lines, fuel and vacuum before bolting it onto the tank, couldn't figure how to do that otherwise. The connected the fuel sensor and the breather hose and bolted the tank back on. Filled it up to the top with gas. Key's in the ignition, switch it on and...

Bummer! The battery was dead. So I charged it overnight and for most of today and gave it a try again.

It turns over, cranks, all lights come on as usual - but no dice. I don't think I pinched any wires or hoses. The gas knob is set on ON and works correctly pointing to OFF and to RESERVE. I pushed the bike side to side, the gas swooshed about the tank... But it just won't start.

What could possibly be the issue? I know a lot of folks had this and each case is a bit different... Thanks in advance for all the good advice!

[John U.]

I had the same problem with the battery last winter. It would charge but not put out enough power to start. If it spins strong that's probably not the trouble.
Since it was down for so long, did you drain the carb bowls. If they are empty or almost you need to provide vacume to the petcock either with a mightyvac type device or by mouth to get the fuel into the carbs to begin with.  Be sure the vacume tube is connected to the horizontal nipple on the petcock and not the one pointing down.
I hope you used Seafoam or a fuel stabilizer or the carbs could be real gunked up. If so try a heavy dose of Techron or Seafoam to clear them up.
I hope this helps, let us know how you make out.

[LinnB]

You might also make sure that the vent hose that connects to the back of the tank, right in front of the driver's seat, is not kinked and that you have the choke on full.

I had the same problem this past weekend and my situation was the kinked hose initially by it getting squeezed when I put the tank back on and then the fuel was too low in the tank.  I could hear it sloshing around but it was not enough to start the bike.  The reserve setting did the trick for my situation.

I had drained my carb bowls very low before I put mine up in November/December so I used a mighty vac on mine, putting it on the vacuum tube inlet of the petcock and applied vacuum while trying the starter button.  I'm not sure which combination of things worked but I'm up and running again thanks to a lot of good advice from fellow members. 

As John U. said the battery must be fully charged in order to start, especially when you're cranking it quite a bit.

[Russian Concussion]

Thanks dudes, will check all of this tomorrow hopefully...

[VALKAHOLIC]

1/. check you have reconnected the fuel on / off switch correctly  - you can have it indicatiing "on" when actually, it is in the "off" position .
2/. How old's the battery?  - even a fully charged battery might not start the engine it the battery is old - they just don't have the cranking "juice" ( amps ) required to fire the beast up - spins the engine O.K. but doesn't fire.
3/. You have no doubt checked the obvious - kill switch, fuses etc.
good luck 

[Russian Concussion]

Folks,

IT STARTED! Turns out the battery indeed WAS weak. Just hooked it up to my truck and POW! Checked the 6th carb as well and it was wet. So far so good. Gonna take it out for a quick 70+ mile spin. Love the sound of those MarkTs!

Thanks again for being so responsive and for all the good suggestions! Hope to see y'all in Colorado!

Toly

[Goody]

Glad you got it. Thought I would be coming to see you this weekend.

[Russian Concussion]

That's no reason not to visit. I see the Dragon Trike is ready and looking good! Gotta do a Spring Cookout or something soon!