no start

[Eric_85bigred]

So, I have a 85 big red I haven't gotten it started in a week or so and when it did start it only would start in 1st gear with the kickstart, but it would bog and then die when I would get to 2nd gear. now I try and kickstart, it will sound good the first kick then try more and nothing, all of this in 1st gear. it has always liked starting in 1st gear more than neutral for a while it would start fine in neutral but now it's bad. I have taken the carb apart and rebuilt it but it still isn't starting. I've replaced the spark plug, but still nothing so let me know what you think, thanks.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

Your issue sounds electrical in nature. I don't believe it's supposed to start in any gear position except neutral, at least with the electric start. Checking the condition of the neutral safety switch and it's associated wiring might be a good place to start.

There are factory service manuals available to download where diagnostic procedures and values can be found.

Also, might be worth a thorough check of the ignition system as a whole. I recently had an issue with one of my 250r that seemed like a fuel issue but turned out to be a broken connector in the harness that supplies voltage to the ignition system giving me a weak spark.

[Eric_85bigred]

Ok I will check that switch, I know I have spark I checked it by pulling the plug and putting it on metal and starting it I saw it spark, and I don’t know how to check if it’s weak spark or not. I don’t have my electric start, I just use the kickstart, so I’m gunna troubleshoot the carb some more but if it’s not that then I’ll check some electrical.

[Eric_85bigred]

Hey so the carb seems fine but I still can’t get it to start my only luck was when I put it in second and bump started it but it would then die so I really don’t think gas is getting to the cylinder. I have my choke kit and I don’t know how to put it in the carb and I know it doesn’t start with out that plunger.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

The choke plunger being removed will allow unregulated air into the engine through the choke circuit causing it to run lean and will most definitely cause difficulty starting. Should be pretty straightforward to install. The plunger rides in a black plastic threaded housing that screws into the choke port of the carb.

[Eric_85bigred]

So I am at the point now where I can only bump start it, it runs ok it Boggs at the top of 5th gear and will try to die while idling unless I give throttle. Still won’t kickstart so I don’t know what’s going on but lmk what y’all think