Rotten, when you say it won't start, is it dead now? What colour are the plugs, are they wet, what's your breather condition, did you check spark on both cylinders. It's hard to diagnose without the bike on the jack, but give me as much info as you can, and I, or someone else here will help.

P.S. 115 on an 84 is a little low, but if it's the same on both jugs that is a good sign as far as valves go. Rings or bore damage wouldn't cause a backfire out the exhaust so this makes me think that it's got to be a fuel or timing issue. Did you do the plug change? Dump the fuel and put a new batch of 92 octane or higher in.

 

I agree with you Joe

A little more info is needed, how many miles is on the bike now and is the engine a stock motor? Be sure and drain the carb as well, might be some water or trash there. Let us know your progress.

Keep us posted, it is fixable.

 

Since the gas is so old it probably ain't any good, even if you added stabilizer to it. More 'n' likely the damage was done well before you got the bike. Dump the gas, pull the carb off and start cleaning as per the good ol' HD service manual.

 

Tonight after work I put new plugs in it and the bike fired up as if nothing ever happened! I'll do a complete tune up and put new gas in it before riding. I noticed there is no in line filter between the tank and carburator? I'm thinking that's not good! Thanks all for all your expert help.

Thanks from Missouri

 

There is a filter inside the tank. Don't add another one; sometimes the extra filter will cause fuel feeding problems.

 

Also it has 57000, from the speedo anyway. and a stock engine. The prior owner does not have any history on the bike.

 

57,000 on a 84 is only 3,000 a year, so it probably hasn't done many long highway holidays. New wires, plugs and maybe a battery will do her a world of good. For the next while change fluids often, and when you do oil, cut the filter apart and look for metal filings. If it's clean the engine is in good shape inside. Make sure that the charging system is good before a long trip, and check all gaskets for obvious leakage before a long trip in order to avoid burnt valves or overheating.

 

Glad you got it going[sm=smiley20.gif]

One other thing I would do is to check the tires out as well, (if they are not new) for dry rot, thread wear, correct pressure etc. I have found this to be one of the most maintenance ignored items on a bike and the most important thing between you and the pavement.

A little TLC on the scoot and you should be good for many more miles.

John TN

 

Glad to hear you got her going; another suggestion I would give, is to make sure you don't leave the choke on ANY longer than neccessary - I have seen this before many times over the years; for some reason, some plugs just don't come back after being fouled / flooded or running too rich for too long; just replaced & never had another problem - I would also still ck over all the tune basics in case there is another reason for the plugs going south, as well as what has been suggested by everyone else here. just my $0.02