Cranks but won’t start?

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Nov 5, 2021 | 04:10 PM

jakeb7654

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Stage IV

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From: Pennsylvania

Cranks but won’t start?

I have a 2000 or 2001 (can’t remember) 883. Been sitting for maybe 2 or 3 months and came out to start it and it just wouldn’t go. Everything powers up and it cranks but it just doesn’t wanna fire up. Checked the plugs and the front plug had no spark so I went and got a new one and it still didn’t spark. I’m at a loss. First time really getting my hands dirty on my own with this bike and I have no idea what to do, please help😭

Nov 5, 2021 | 05:12 PM

CoolBreeze3646

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From: Pennsylvania

Did you turn the petcock on? Spray a little starter fluid into the carb/air cleaner, if it fires you know you have a fuel issue. Can you see gas squirt if you look in the carb bore and twist the throttle?

Check your plug wires? Are you getting spark on the rear?

Nov 5, 2021 | 06:13 PM

jakeb7654

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Stage IV

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From: Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoolBreeze3646

Thanks for the advice! The rear was sparking and then when I changed them it stopped, guessing maybe I need to work on the gap on the plug? I’ll have to check on the carb and injector to make sure I’m getting fuel.

EDIT: forgot to add, yes the petcock was on.

Nov 6, 2021 | 04:05 AM

Andy from Sandy

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From: England

You need to fix spark problem first IMO. I don't have the details but if after checking plugs and leads you need to check the coil and whatever is used to drive it.

Nov 6, 2021 | 05:25 AM

Midpegs

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From: Coventry , England

In my experience , you need to fill the carb with fuel . You can detach the fuel line at the tap and use a very small funnel or you can do what I do and detach the vacuum hose at the carb , screw in the body of a Bic style ballpoint pen and give it a suck for 20 seconds or so .

Nov 6, 2021 | 07:45 AM

John Harper

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From: San Diego, CA

You pilot jet might be clogged from sitting for 3 months. The fuel in the bowl likely evaporated over that time and very likely residue clogged the pilot jet. Also, turn on the gas and wait a minute for the bowl to refill if you've let it sit for a few weeks. Otherwise it will just turn over and not fire.

If you have a vacuum petcock, take Midpegs advice above, so it opens the fuel flow to the carb.

John

Nov 6, 2021 | 07:50 AM

John Harper

HDF Community Team

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From: San Diego, CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by jakeb7654

If the rear was sparking, then so is the front, since it's a "dual fire" ignition, when the coil triggers, current is sent to both plugs simultaneously. It's hard to see the plugs fire as well. And, make sure they are grounded because I've read (an urban legend?) that you can damage the ignition module by not grounding the plugs. I have read this, but cannot say that someone has actually reported it happening in a post.

John