1986 Suzuki LT230s no start issue

[ArsonistsMind]

Ok so I got a great deal on a 230s apperently the motor was rebuilt but the guy didn't know how to put it back together.... Well the top end at least.... So I bought the book for it at the Suzuki dealership..... Now the bike has no airbox and no muffler, open carb and header, here's my problem, It has compression, it has spark, I timed it up twice, each time spinning the motor 360* cause it's a four stroke and I was trying to make sure that it was sparking during compression and not exhaust... Anyway there is fuel on the plug, if I hold the plug to the casing while it's unscrewed it sparks.... But it refuses to catch, the most I get is a backfire out the exhaust... In an act of desperation I towed it with a car while it was in gear to try and get it started.... The headers glowed red hot, but it would die out imeadiatly...... Any replies would be greatly appreciated.... Oh and I also sprayed starting fluid in it to try and make it catch and nothing....

[ArsonistsMind]

Bump

[Stoopidbot1]

You have like no back pressure, You are extremely lean. Put a muffler on the head pipe and put the air box on. That should give you enough to get it started.

[ArsonistsMind]

That's what I was thinking thanks man.... Also is there anyway to know if I have the timing set correctly I want it to spark after the compression stroke, not exhaust.... Keep in mind that it's a four stroke

[Stoopidbot1]

First you need to make sure the piston is top dead center(TDC) on the compression stroke. There should be a small disc on the side that when removed allows you to turn the motor over by using a rachet and socket. There are notch marks on the wheel that you turn and the case. When those are kined up you are at TDC. You can also remove the spark plug and watch the piston go up and down. It must be all the way at the top. Then when you remove your valve cover, your cam(s) should be pointing down so all the valves are closed. that is compression stroke.

On the cam gear there are notches on both sided 180 degrees from each other Those need to be lined up with the top of the case.

Does that make sense?

[ArsonistsMind]

Hey thanks guy, yea I know how to time it mechanically it just that when I got it the motor was in two pieces, so the crankshaft spins twice as fast as the camshaft since it is a four stroke, what I'm saying is I think it's possible to time it correctly mechanically but still have the ignition off, since when I got it the head was in a box, with a bunch of other parts..... So is there anyway of making sure it's on the compresion stroke when it sparks.....

[ArsonistsMind]

Or maybe do you think that it has a wasted spark setup and sparks during compresion and exhaust.... Any help is appreciated!!!!!!

[Stoopidbot1]

I have no idea how to check that...

[DirtDemon]

It uses a wasted spark ignition any time the ignition signal comes from the crank that will be the case. The only way to avoid the wasted spark is to run the ignition off of the cam, that way it knows the difference between the compression and exhuast strokes. Anyhow, I think your problem may be the flywheel key, if it is sheared, it will spark, but not at the right time.

Edited April 27, 2010 by DirtDemon