Need help...can't start my 200S.

[350Kris]

I just about pulled my arm out tonight. I rebuilt my 200S a few years ago, but was never able to start it. It sat in storage for a few years. I pulled it out and cleaned out the carb really well. The decompression lever does not make contact with the rocker arm (I have to have it welded on and machined) so I have no decompression. It has a fresh bore and a wiseco 10:1. A K&N and stock exhaust. HELP. I pulled this thing for 2 hours with the choke on, choke off, choke on all the way, 1/4 throttle, 1/2 throttle, and all freakin combinations in between. I need help and some answers to a few questions....

Because of the high compression is it possible that I can't pull the recoil fast enough?

Where should my idle screw be set?

3rd clip on the needle, right?

Do I need to use a higher octane?

I have spark (saw it), but could there be something I'm missing electrically?

Please help me....I'm about to lose my mind and right arm!

[SYKO]

are you sure you got gas going into the motor? one way to know if you got spark and it wont fire off one or two times with a generous helping of engine starting fluid you probably have some serious timming issues or valve issues.

[350Kris]

I never tried engine starting fluid....does that help a lot? I pulled the plug a few times and found it to be slightly wet with gas....not saturated at all. I suspected that maybe gas may not me making it to the motor.

Would the timing keep it from starting at all?

[350Kris]

It's been so long since I timed it.....easiest way to do it?

[SYKO]

almost any motor will run with engine start being sprayed into it.. if not then there are problems afoot! cant help you with the timming on that model..

[threewheelin-feelin]

always make sure the cdi isnt 180 degrees out...i did that once by accident and it drove me crazy

[350Kris]

UPDATE:

No luck yet. I got some Engine Start. I assumed it would be ok to spray it right into the cylinder...so I did. No luck. I checked the CDI for proper connection...good to go. I can't believe this thing won't fire at all. I'm getting spark....I pulled the plug and pulled it over to verify that. I saw the blue arc!

What do you guys think I should try next?

[drkilldrmz]

no reccomendation for the no start, but if your firing anything with starting fluid, use the stuff with lubricant in it. It means more for a 2 stroke, but it helps to not burn a piston with pure alcohol.
edit.. sounds like timing to me as well..

[350Kris]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't I check the timing by going solely through the CDI cover all the way back to the cam sprocket....making sure all the index marks are aligned correctly. In other words, I don't need to take the head cover off right?

I swear I did all this when I assembled it.

[Gearheadtom]

Is the spark consistent?

[350Kris]

I think so....I'll try again.....but I got a consistent spark when I pulled it about 3 times.

[350Kris]

The timing was good. :)...I drink Bud Light.

[Gearheadtom]

Try spraying the starting fluid into the carburetor. Also try to push start it, either from pulling it with somthing, or get someone to push you.

[350Kris]

No luck yet guys... Is there anyway I can test how strong the spark is? Any other suggestions?

[Gearheadtom]

If it is getting a blue spark like you say it should start. With starting fluid sprayed into the carborator then quickly after pulled over, without leaveing time to put the air filter back in, it should at least give a kick or pop, if there is a spark. If the timming is far enoough off it may backfire through the exaust or intake

[350Kris]

I verified the timing...it's good. I'll try spraying into the carb from the air filter side.

[BigRed_Ryno]

On my one after i rebuilt it, id got the timing right etc but no fire, whatsoever, even with easystart (yuk!) turned out the magnet for the cdi on the auto advance was 180* out. dont know how id managed it, but it wasnt that obvious. The advance weights, springs etc were the right way, turned out one nite id been 'tinkering' with it, i'd pointlessly removed the magnet an counterbalance off the advance mechanism, then put it back on the wrong way, then weeks later, having totally forgotten bout it, no fire :o after id corrected it, it started first pull :D

[350Kris]

Sounds like things I've done. :) So you weren't getting any spark at all prior to correcting the CDI right?

[350Kris]

Update: I checked the timing by pulling out the cam and making sure the lobes are down when the sprocket is lined up correctly at TDC. Everthing is good. I'm thinking it is a carb problem at this point, but I thought it would at least fire once or twice. I sprayed Engine Start into my carb and then tried pulling it -- nothing. Every once in a while though the carb spits gas back into my airbox when I'm pulling it over.....what does that mean???? Still need help and I appreciate all your input.

[Gearheadtom]

I had a 200e that spit gas out of the carb because the intake vavle wasn't adjusted right, but it would sputter and and almost start.

[350Kris]

Holy Crap -- it just fired, but it was in gear and the idle was wild! I just tore up my garage and bent the crap out of my handle bars! Does Honda still sell the OEM handlebars for an 84 200S???

Thanks!
Kris

[BigRed_Ryno]

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:
Sorry to laugh, but atleast it's got life!
No idea about the bars though :(

[jeepcollector]

Update: I checked the timing by pulling out the cam and making sure the lobes are down when the sprocket is lined up correctly at TDC. Everthing is good. I'm thinking it is a carb problem at this point, but I thought it would at least fire once or twice. I sprayed Engine Start into my carb and then tried pulling it -- nothing. Every once in a while though the carb spits gas back into my airbox when I'm pulling it over.....what does that mean???? Still need help and I appreciate all your input.

Did you ever get this running? I saw that you asked the question about the carb spitting gas back into the air box. The carburetor on the 200s has two ports facing the air box. Normally, air and fuel come out of these ports and get sucked into the carb. However, If you pull start the bike with the choke closed and give it gas simultaneously, the gas has no where to go but into the air box. Not sure if these helps but thought I would share my observations in case you were still struggling.