I have a 77 low rider that sat for a long time. (11 years) I got the motor runnung early this summer. It would start on first or second kick every time. Last week i went out to start it and it took forever to start. Finally started but only the front cyl was firing. I took out the plug and i still have spark, and the plug was pretty wet. where do i start. (tappets, valve, piston rings?) do I need to take off the top end. starting to get colder here in illinois so it is a good time to start wrenching. any help would be appreciated. thanks.

 

maybe the rear cylider got to much gas.

 

Pull the top end off 11 years too long !

 

try a new set of plugs first.

 

i agee with roadgliderick and bagga,you'll have that from time to time,slap in some new plugs,get on it and ride,that'll warm up the engine and burn some of that old crap out. my old 72 flh with every thing new and every now and then,it will start on one but i keep her running and it will start firing on both. extra plugs are nice too. later

 

i replaced the plugs when it fired on one cyl. still didn't want to fire the other cyl. so i shut her off. i'll try to let her warm up once and see if it will start firing the other cyl. i just want one more ride this year. before tearing her down this winter. i think that sqdealgeorge is right, 11 years is a long time. it would be good to take her apart. thanks

 

Agree with above but what is the history of the bike before the 11 time out. Might be something as simple as wires, coil, plugs (as mentioned).

11 years is a long time without running and ya gotta think the seals and gaskets are pretty dried out from sitting that long, so even if ya get it running due to a simple solution, seepage and leaks are gonna follow probably sooner than later.

Would be nice to determine before a motor tear down how she has held up.

 

Swap the plug wire on the coil spigots and try again , and do you have compression on the rear ?

You will have to go through it this winter all the gaskets are shot that's a given , run it much and it'll start leaking like crazy . When you do get the new style metal / silicon gaskets not the old paper crap in the cheap kits out now . They will cost more but well worth it , no leaks in 6 months from crappy paper gaskets .

 

back on the road! thanks guys. (panz4ever) so far on this bike to get it running i cleaned out the tanks, cleaned the carb, (the tanks and carb were actually not too dirty) new fuel lines, added fuel filter, new plugs, wires, coil, points and condenser. the starter is currently not working, but i like to kick it anyway. after i did all that it took about a 25 kicks and then it fired right up and hasn't skipped a beat until the rear cyl didn't fire last week.
yesterday i left work early and i came home and couldn't help but go to the garage. i have 2 extra sets of plugs so i changed them again and it fired right up with no hesitation. i'm stumped. that's ok for now. i'm back on the road for another ride or 10 as the weather is going south. but this winter is time for teardown.

 

HI, Could be an air leak at the intake manifold O rings,definately cause it to start on one cylinder..cheers