Help starting XL500 motor...

[random-strike]

Ok so i got this xl500 motor... im trying to start it up... it has really good compression, new plug, new gas, new to me carb that i completly cleaned out.

the motor hasnt been started in probably 2-3 years. it came into a shop for new cables and the guy moved and left it there. 3 years later the shop owner sold it to me...

i can get it to pop, every once in a while it pop pops. i can smell that it touched off some gas. it does basically the same thing with the choke on or off... the motor has never been taken apart or touched...

any tips for me to get this *Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**Edited**E dited* started?

tomarrow im going to grab a can of starting fluid and see if that doesn't get her off.

one thing that sucks about this motor is that the kicker return doesn't work so i have to pull it back up with my foot everytime. i suspect it would be easier to start if i could keep kicking on it and keep the motor spinning...

any tips :TrikesOwn

[cragster]

Have you tried pop starting it? Just have someone pull you and pop it into like 3rd gear or so. Sometimes that'll do it

[random-strike]

Have you tried pop starting it? Just have someone pull you and pop it into like 3rd gear or so. Sometimes that'll do it

might try that tomarrow too... no one to pull me tonight :(

[TrikeKid]

Have you tried bumping the idle up a little? Somtimes it helps enough to get something going. Was enough to get my 70 to start the other day (previous to that, it had been run once or twice after sitting for over a year)

[random-strike]

Have you tried bumping the idle up a little? Somtimes it helps enough to get something going.

thanks ill try that too. it may be a little low.

but i have been working the throttle with my hand while kicking

[TrikeKid]

thanks ill try that too. it may be a little low.

but i have been working the throttle with my hand while kicking
Most of the time the throttle is too much, but somtimes it needs it. I've been in situations when the bike needed full throttle to start up (usually after I'd fallen and it was flooded)

[4cylinders]

hey, what year is it? does it need a battery?

[random-strike]

hey, what year is it? does it need a battery?

81 , no battery

[random-strike]

damn i still cant get it started.

i upped the idle
i used some starting fluid

most i got it to do was pop four times.

the clutch perch is broken is the only reason i havent tried to pop start it... is there anything else i should check?

every single time i kick it fluid or not. it pops once, kinda like a backfire...

? :(

[120hpharley]

I would find a hill and roll down it and pop it into second. Safest way with no clutch.

[ANTI-QUAD]

i have an 81 xl 500 and it has a battery,but not sure if it needs it to run,ill go get my manual

[the great gazoo]

No Battery needed to run, I've got an '81 myself....Random Strike, are you going to make a trike out of it?

[team-red-rider]

have u adjusted the valves / tried a new ngk in it?

[random-strike]

No Battery needed to run, I've got an '81 myself....Random Strike, are you going to make a trike out of it?

no i just wnat to use it for riding trails

[random-strike]

have u adjusted the valves / tried a new ngk in it?

i havent tried adjusting the valves, it has a brand new plug

[smyers33]

You'll prolly get more replies if you post it in the right forum.