Bought new bike that won't start...WTF

[Crusader]

Bought a 79 Bonnie off fleabay and had it shipped here (its actually a 79 frame with a 72 engine). Seller sent a video of it starting, running, and riding and then loaded it on my shippers truck, strapped it down, and sent it here. By the way the seller has really good feedback and is going to be standing behind it (thankfully).

When it got here I turned the petcocks on, choked the bike, turned the key, and kicked. First kick produced one puffy compression...ok theres no fuel in the lines, no big deal. Second kick produced no resistance and the kick starter ratcheted back like it should. No compressions (like the starter wont even engage the engine). It continued like this for a few more kicks until the starter locked on the stator and I had to roll the bike to make sure I didn't damage anything (I hear this is common with old Triumphs).

After many cycles of kicking, locking the bike up, rolling it, and getting nowhere we decided to try roll starting it. That proved to be an absolute complete waste of time as well. Now I'm left here with a VERY expensive paperweight that was supposed to be running great. Any thoughts?

 

[Sonreir]

Get a compression tester and then check for spark. If you're getting spark and compression, check timing. If timing is good, time to mess with the carbs.

Engines only need three things to run: Compression, the correct fuel/air mix, and a spark at the correct time.

 

[Crusader]

I understand that...but the engine isn't turning over period. The kickstarter has no resistance and isn't engaging the engine for some reason (1 out of 5 kicks it will engage for 1 compression). I don't need a compression tester to know then engine isn't turning over at all..

 

[650hardtail]

pull the plugs and see if its hydro locked w fuel

 

[Sonreir]

I understand that...but the engine isn't turning over period. The kickstarter has no resistance and isn't engaging the engine for some reason (1 out of 5 kicks it will engage for 1 compression). I don't need a compression tester to know then engine isn't turning over at all..

Sounds like you found your problem then.

 

[SONICJK]

Are you pulling the clutch?

 

[Crusader]

Its not something simple (like an improper starting procedure). I was on the phone with the seller for 2 hours trying to diagnose it. The only simply thing we missed in the beginning was that the Mikuni carbs had individual chokes.

 

[SONICJK]

If you can't kick it, and when you roll start it the engine doesn't turn over my money is on a stuck clutch.

 

[Crusader]

If you can't kick it, and when you roll start it the engine doesn't turn over my money is on a stuck clutch.

Update:

Got the bike started the other day. It seems it was a stuck clutch. After messing with it I started getting compression on every kick. It was acting like the clutch was in before during kicks.

In terms of the kick starter sticking, it seems that it is hanging up on the quadrant and it is happening often (usually at least once or twice every time I try starting it). To fix it I have to rock the bike back and forth and occasionally put in gear and roll it with the clutch in. It gets pretty old and I end up really sweaty and pissed of by the time I have the bike started. I'm going to have it looked at on the sellers dime as he said he would stand behind it and this is not how the bike should act and occasionally I have the same issue I was having the day it was delivered (stuck clutch-no resistance on kickstarter).

 

[SONICJK]

Told ya so

 

[Crusader]

Told ya so

Smartass

Unfortunately, I'm thinking there's more issues than that...

 

[Rich Ard]

Sounds like you bought a forty year old British bike

 

[bradj]

And expected yours to be different

 

[surffly]

How are you claiming to have kicked the bike but the motor isn't turning over?
In for a rude awakening with old bikes me thinks....

I sold my 450 to someone that called the next day claiming it wouldn't work and all this...
Told me he knew he was doing everything right and the bike was broken.
He was nice about it, just frustrated.
.....he never turned the choke off while trying to ride...

Don't blame other people or the machine for operator error.