lost compresstion? 200s

[1984ATC200S]

about a month or so ago i was out at like 11pm and cursing along on the hard parked snow, well all of a sudden the bikes starts to spit and sputter and quit, started right up again same thing, but when i pulled it over it felt the the spark plug wasn't in, so i changed the plug, and same thing, so after the half an hour walk back home to get dad and the sportsman we drive back out and towed it home, now that Ive got some time off school and work Ive got some time to look at it, but now it wont even star, just rips the cord outta my hand causing some mumbled swearing. so Im lossed, could the timing have skipped, bent a valves? it was starting and running perfect before so i have no ideas. Its my 200s as well. sorry for the long post.

[Nick_R_23]

Have you done a compression test yet? What did the plug look like when you pulled it out (black, oily, tan, white, etc)? Its possible timing couldve jumped, take the pickup cover off the top of the engine and take a look at the cam gear, and check and see how loose the chain is. Pop the little cover off near the pull start and check to see if the timing marks line up. Do you have a manual?

-Nick

[1984ATC200S]

The plug was a dark tanish color, yes i do have a manuel., ill take a look at the timming than . thanks

[Gearheadtom]

You have time off school, same as me. Four day weekend!
As for your problem, it seems like the timing chain jumped, but it could be a stuck valve. Check the timming first.

[1984ATC200S]

yeah 4 day weekend, i usally work on school hoildays but its slowing down at work , so i got time to work on the S and try and get my 440 on the snow.

[1984ATC200S]

haven't looked at it yet, but what would cause the timeing to jump, if that is the problem, new cam chain at the first of last spring, but also alot of miles this summer, but this has me a little confused.

[MTS]

worn guides or a busted adjuster would do it, see in before, but it takes quite a jump for it to not run, i would look to see if the decompressor broke and jammed the exaust valve open or something, pop the valve covers off and take a look while pulling it over.

[1984ATC200S]

well its been a while secne I've look at my 200S, so today i ripped the engine out, in about 45minets, took it downstairs to my work bench, popped off the starter valve covers, timing cover and the pulse generator cover, found out the bolt on the end of the cam was about 4 turns away for finger tight, so i dug a little deeper and found that the little pin that holds it in place sitting in the pulse generator case. All the timing marks line up still so i think Ive finally got this figured out and it only took about 2 hours! So i can finally get this fun little bike ripping it up again, hopefully by the weekend.

[oscarmayer]

sweet! good update too!

[Gearheadtom]

If you didn't figure it out, I bet Lavangie could have! This summer me and you should get out for a little run.

[Dirtcrasher]

Hmmm, you said when you pulled it over "it felt like the plug wasn't in" I thought you meant it had no compression??

It's good that your timing marks are still spot on, but I wonder what made you feel it lost compression? Or maybe I'm ready what you said wrong and maybe you meant it felt like it had no spark??

Anyhow, I hope it's a quick and easy fix for ya!!

[1984ATC200S]

Well shes running again, about 4 hours worth of work and it's running great. I think the feel of lost compression was the decompression release, my bad there, but i had to start somewhere. the only things i really need for it now are rear carrier bearings, a new chain , and a muffler, I have a good cobra head pipe, but can u buy just the muffler? Straight pipe for testing purposes tonight. 3 Honda three wheelers running as of now, and hopefully a 4th tommmorw night

[1984ATC200S]

If you didn't figure it out, I bet Lavangie could have! This summer me and you should get out for a little run.

I'm sure he would've, and for sure on the run this summer I"m waiting for a little more snow to melt, so i can start working on my dodge 4X4, so i can carry bikes around. And there should be a spare 3 wheeler around if needed, only me and dad and we have 4 trikes and 2, 4 wheelers

[Gearheadtom]

I'm sure he would've, and for sure on the run this summer I"m waiting for a little more snow to melt, so i can start working on my dodge 4X4, so i can carry bikes around. And there should be a spare 3 wheeler around if needed, only me and dad and we have 4 trikes and 2, 4 wheelers

I shouldn't need to borow a 3 wheeler from you, I've got my 200m, but I'm going to take the motor out sometime to fix a couple oil leaks and I need to get all the rust out of my tank. I should have my license in a month or two, and I should be able to borrow my dad's truck.