I recently replaced the spark plug boot on my grande to see if it would start, has been sitting for a couple of months and had starting issues with it before. Everything mechanical is in its place, good compression, good fuel... It must be a wiring problem. Every time I kick it, the horn goes off, and I'm not holding down the button, I think I must've mis-wired some things. Any suggestions would help a lot. Thanks
I have the 1980 super deluxe model
Sounds like the kill switch wiring is shorting through the horn.
Easiest thing to do would be just unplug the lighting coil and the kill wiring so you are just straight ignition only
How do you unplug the kill?
I actually got it to start for a minute, it idled but had an air leak. So I turned it off and tightened it up but then it wouldn't start. Is that a sign that it's too rich?
> ricky dunlop Wrote:
> -------------------------------------------------------
> I actually got it to start for a minute, it idled but had an air leak.
> So I turned it off and tightened it up but then it wouldn't start. Is
> that a sign that it's too rich?
What did you tighten up?
I tightened the exhaust clamp and the head
The most important air leaks are between the carburetor and the engine case. I don't know this bike, but on most the carburetor bolts are somewhat difficult to access. Nevertheless, you must make sure that these are tight. Then confirm that you're getting a spark and that there's no blockage of the muffler.
Sounds like your exhaust is blocked up from that description.
Burn it out, or buy a replacement.
As an initial experiment, try pushing a piece of coat-hanger wire through that tiny exhaust outlet. In my experience much of the blockage is often right there. But then take the muffler apart and clean it out. This is necessary for all two-stroke engines except those like my old Lawn Boy mower, which has this splendid cast-iron muffler that apparently burns out all the accumulated tar.
Will try this, thanks.
I think it was the manual that came with my Peugeot BB1st (1960's) that suggested that the test of a non-clogged exhaust system is to hold your hand a few inches from the exhaust outlet and feel the series of sharp puffs on your palm. Perhaps it's the oil or the characteristics of the engine itself, but two-strokes tend to have a rather wet exhaust product that distills out its liquid in the muffler and especially right at the outlet, where for some other unknown reason it hardens into tar. You may find hardened pebbles of carbon inside, but it's mostly important to dissolve out the tar.
M Kinsler
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