[Vagarious]

Okay, I am an absolute newb, I admit that, right now, up front. This is my first bike ever. It was cheap, and I was a bit rushed, so I skipped some typical pre-purchase inspection steps. For one I took his word that the bike ran. He said the battery was dead when I got there, but this was not true. I tried to start it, to no avail. It cranked and cranked and cranked, but never cought. Here is a list of things I have checked:

There is gas in the tank it is set at "On" (I tried with reserve too)
There is fresh 10w40 and oil filter
Choke is on and not stuck, as is throttle.

And that's about it. I'm a car guy and have lots of tools for cars. "How different could a Japanese motorcycle be from classic American iron, anyway?" Ha, well, serves me. I tried:
Compression - different spark plug thread.
Spark - spark checker has plug type head, not screw type.
Engine movement - that is to say, making sure the damn thing isnt completely seized. I had no idea how to check this, since there are no accessory belts to look at!
Fuel filter - ... I couldnt actually find one, is it in-tank?
Fuel - it has a new pepcock and a fresh tank of gas, and I can smell ambient gas after I crank it for a while.
Oil - when I drained the oil it looked a greenish/brown. This bike was sitting for about 2 years, hardly driven. 3000 miles were put on since 1993.

I'm heading out to college in a couple days, so I'll need to get this right done quick.

To recap: engine is cranking, but not starting. I can smell gas.

I think that's about it, I'll update as I remember stuff.

[Red Rider]

Try replacing the plugs? If it sat for two years, the gas could've gummed up the jets, too. Greenish/brown oil doesn't sound good...possibly coolant?

and good luck...

[sheepofblue]

Pour the gas out and refill for step one if it sat that much there is no telling how old it is. Also put a SMALL amount of injector cleaner in with the gas (recommend Chevron w/Techroline for the cleaner). The Red Riders comments.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by sheepofblue

Pour the gas out and refill for step one if it sat that much there is no telling how old it is.

He said it has a fresh tank of gas.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Vagarious

oil it looked a greenish/brown...This bike was sitting for about 2 years, hardly driven...I can smell gas.

Needs new plugs, carbs cleaned, coolant system needs a throrough flush and hose inspection, not to mention fork seals, chain maintenance, cable check and lube, brake check (pads, rotors, lines and fluids) and making sure all bearings (wheels and headstock) are in good shape and greased. Sounds like you're gonna need more than a couple of days to make it a reliable runner, unless you can get it to a reputable mechanic who is not busy at the moment.

[NanoSfere]

Originally Posted by Pete

Needs new plugs, carbs cleaned, coolant system needs a throrough flush and hose inspection, not to mention fork seals, chain maintenance, cable check and lube, brake check (pads, rotors, lines and fluids) and making sure all bearings (wheels and headstock) are in good shape and greased. Sounds like you're gonna need more than a couple of days to make it a reliable runner, unless you can get it to a reputable mechanic who is not busy at the moment.

That cheap bike isn't that cheap anymore huh?

[Vagarious]

Thanks everyone, I'll have these checked out. I'm aware of how quickly costs can pile up, I'm a car guy don't forget!

I planned on it taking all winter to get it into "reliable" condition, all I want to see is it RUNNING before I head out.

And yes, I was assuming the oil had coolant in it. I had three possible options in my head: cracked block (I hope not), blown head gasket, or a random act of god. I'm leaning toward headgasket. I'm going to do a compression test and spark test as soon as I get back from the store.

[EDDIE110171]

Check to make sure the engine cut-off switch is in the on position. The key has to be on and the cut-off switch, which is just forward of the left grip must be on also.

[Vagarious]

Originally Posted by EDDIE110171

Check to make sure the engine cut-off switch is in the on position. The key has to be on and the cut-off switch, which is just forward of the left grip must be on also.

Ah, I suppose I shoud have clarified.

First time buyer, certainly not first time operator.

[EDDIE110171]

Originally Posted by Vagarious

Ah, I suppose I shoud have clarified.

First time buyer, certainly not first time operator.

It is always easier to start simple then go for the harder items.

[CBRVFR]

Sounds electrical. Did you verify spark by removing a spark plug, re-attaching the wire and grounding it against some (non-gas-soaked, explosive) surface? The run switch might be corroded and not able to make the contact. or the kickstand switch. or....

[Vagarious]

Yup, I just tried the ignition a few hours ago after I got new spark plugs. I get spark in all 4 cylinders. The next thing I verified was fuel flow. I checked the petcock in all positions with 20 psi air, and checked the tank to make sure it wasnt plugged (I did find that gas leaks out of the cap if i tip it upside down. So where IS the fuel filter in these things anyway? I'm checking the fuel lines leading to the carb next. I pulled off the air box and there was a steel mesh screen inside it, looked like an 800micron, which wouldnt stop much more than debris from getting inside my motor! I shudder to think what's in those cylinders with 15k miles of practically no air filter. I'm checking the fuel lines with 20 psi air as we speak. So I'm peering down and I see the following attached imaged. I did something stupid and tried to start the motor to see what they would do, and they just go up and down maybe half a millimeter. The PCV feeds into the air box right?


... wait, did you say kickstand switch?

[Vagarious]

I got it! Turns out a vacuum line for the petcock wasnt connected. Damn things.

Of course, now I have to solve the 5,000rpm idle problem. The guy I bought it from said there was a knob on the intake mani that you could unscrew all the way and that would make the bike idle correctly...

[Vagarious]

Okay, I feel like a complete douchebag for making a tripple post, but I've been skewering the internet for three days and have not yet found a set of head gaskets for my bike. Does anyone know where I can get these?

[ConqSoft]

You can try contacting www.ronayers.com or www.servicehonda.com. I doubt they would have the parts online, but you could give them a call.

[sheepofblue]

Local dealer or check http://www.crotchrocket.com I have not dealt with them (yet) but they had listings for my '84 Ascot.