New Member Here

[alastair_mt500]

Was all looking good. When I got her she would not start. I checked the oil level and that looked ok then I found the spark plug was only hand tight, tightened it up with a little help from the neighbour. He also suggested I twist the throttle slightly while trying to start it and that worked! It started finally (still did not start easily i.e lots of kicks). It got progressively easier to start the bike (3 week period) to the point where I could start it with 1-3 kicks off the centre stand. I didn't have a tommy bar to get the back wheel loose to adjust the chain and didn't know what the tool was called, so I went to the local guy to sort that and figure out what i needed. Started fine after the chain adjustment, went home to pick up a couple of bits and bobs then when to work started fine. Then finished work ready to fire her up. Now feeling pretty confident as I have been starting it off the centre stand for the past week. So I put the choke on twisted the throttle very slightly and tried to give her a good kick. Didn't work, tried the decompressor and turned it over with that 6 times then retry. Started trying choke on choke off partly on. Took the spark plug out yes it was wet.. dried it swapped it. Got really late then had to get a taxi home.

Day 2 I came in with a trickle charger then left it charging over the work day, thought maybe the battery was getting low from trying to start her don't know if that would make any difference. I joined the forum and discovered that I should not have to twist the throttle and any more than three kicks would soak the plug. So I tried the tap off decompress 6 times turn the fuel on wait..Then choke on and give her a good kick 3-4 kicks. Not starting more spark plug swapping etc. One of the site maintenance fellas saw me trying last night and decided to come over and offered to give me a push. I could hear her pumping but no life, wasn't really sure if i should use the decompressor or the clutch for the bump start. Used the decompressor. The fella rapidly decided the bike was too heavy to push far and gave up. By this point my foot is bruised and a bit swollen from the bursts of kicks to desperately try to start her. I cycle home in the end before it goes dark.

Day 3 bikes battery on trickle charge over the work day. A nice fella that also works in the building is going home from work he decides to come and chat about the bike. I ask if he can see a spark as I am unable to kick it and see the spark plug. He says yes there is. Not a spark issue. More painful kicks and following the instructions that came with the bike. I have tried every combination, tap off decompress six times then tap on kick start with choke on no throttle, I have tried with throttle on, tap on then decompressing then kick starting with choke with and without throttle. Still not starting. Foot feels like watermelon followed by a good cycle home to help it bed in. Any thoughts ideas would be much appreciated.

[Wirralman]

Welcome to the forum

Whilst you have a spark, is it at the right time? I'd check the cambelt hasn't slipped- worn belt, worn pulleys, adjuster slackened off.

Fuel, is it running freely and isn't contaminated with water ? Do you have a drain screw on your carburettor so that you can see whether fuel smells good.

Is your air filter clogged/ wet ? You can remove it and try with no filter.

Carb boots - are the rubber boots intact ? With age they crack and let in more air than you need so you have a weak mixture

Good luck sorting your MT

[Kim Thomas]

Was all looking good. When I got her she would not start. I checked the oil level and that looked ok then I found the spark plug was only hand tight, tightened it up with a little help from the neighbour. He also suggested I twist the throttle slightly while trying to start it and that worked! It started finally (still did not start easily i.e lots of kicks). It got progressively easier to start the bike (3 week period) to the point where I could start it with 1-3 kicks off the centre stand. I didn't have a tommy bar to get the back wheel loose to adjust the chain and didn't know what the tool was called, so I went to the local guy to sort that and figure out what i needed. Started fine after the chain adjustment, went home to pick up a couple of bits and bobs then when to work started fine. Then finished work ready to fire her up. Now feeling pretty confident as I have been starting it off the centre stand for the past week. So I put the choke on twisted the throttle very slightly and tried to give her a good kick. Didn't work, tried the decompressor and turned it over with that 6 times then retry. Started trying choke on choke off partly on. Took the spark plug out yes it was wet.. dried it swapped it. Got really late then had to get a taxi home.

Day 2 I came in with a trickle charger then left it charging over the work day, thought maybe the battery was getting low from trying to start her don't know if that would make any difference. I joined the forum and discovered that I should not have to twist the throttle and any more than three kicks would soak the plug. So I tried the tap off decompress 6 times turn the fuel on wait..Then choke on and give her a good kick 3-4 kicks. Not starting more spark plug swapping etc. One of the site maintenance fellas saw me trying last night and decided to come over and offered to give me a push. I could hear her pumping but no life, wasn't really sure if i should use the decompressor or the clutch for the bump start. Used the decompressor. The fella rapidly decided the bike was too heavy to push far and gave up. By this point my foot is bruised and a bit swollen from the bursts of kicks to desperately try to start her. I cycle home in the end before it goes dark.

Day 3 bikes battery on trickle charge over the work day. A nice fella that also works in the building is going home from work he decides to come and chat about the bike. I ask if he can see a spark as I am unable to kick it and see the spark plug. He says yes there is. Not a spark issue. More painful kicks and following the instructions that came with the bike. I have tried every combination, tap off decompress six times then tap on kick start with choke on no throttle, I have tried with throttle on, tap on then decompressing then kick starting with choke with and without throttle. Still not starting. Foot feels like watermelon followed by a good cycle home to help it bed in. Any thoughts ideas would be much appreciated.

Well, it certainly won't be the battery. The MT500 doesn't require a battery to start. The battery keeps the lights going and would recharge anyway once ridden. However, these are the trials we all go through....

[alastair_mt500]

Thanks all for the ideas of what might be wrong. From turning over the bike lots and removing the spark plug I noticed the spark plug after three or more kicks seemed to be slightly smattered with a black oily something, not lots but enough maybe to stop it sparking perfectly. The spark weakened after turning over a few times. My neighbour then informed me the cure for that was to put full throttle on and turn over the engine a couple of times. This works great and has got rid of all my starting worries.

Hopefully this starting procedure will help someone with similar issues. I asked my mechanic if this will cause any problems with the bike but he thought it was not problem and is ok.

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Working starting Procedure - 1987 MT500 with original carb Amal
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1) Fuel Line On.
2) Choke on if cold (skip if bike engine hot from running recently).
3) Pull kicker out
4) Twist throttle a little bit so it feels engaged but not much . Slightly less than an 8th of turn works for me.
5) Good kick whilst holding the throttle as described in step 4. (90% of the time bike starts within 3 kicks). If it fails to start continue to next step.
6)Turn throttle to maximum (fully on).
7)Whilst Holding the throttle at maximum position turn over twice.(Often you can feel it clear/ignite the chamber with the kicker but doesn't make any noise like its going to run.
8) Return to to step 4 and start the bike as described in step 4-5.

[Rob MT500]

When kick starting, should the decompressor be used? thanks, Rob