engine won't start

[Tom's Evil Baby]

Last year my 95 speedster developed nearly terminal engine problem. After fixing mechanical damage, wouldn't run properly, then quit completely. I rebuilt carbs last weekend, still no go. Swiched carbs between engines, both carbs seems to be OK.Checked rotary valve,perfect (identical on both engines). Sparks, spark plugs, fuel, oil, everything OK. The only thing left, I think, is ignition timing. I'm not sure how to check it without engine running.Any ideas?

 

[Dr Honda]

Since it started once... then quit... 2 things come to mind.


1) check compression. You may have crack a ring, or burnt a piston.

2) make sure the rotary valve is spinning. The gears could have sheared.

 

[Tom's Evil Baby]

Is there anything else? Compression wise, before I rebuild the engine it was running like crazy with phenomenal amount of damage(most of the connecting rod needle bearing missing, top of the piston heavilly damaged right to the top ring of which 1/3 was seized and rest missing, half of the bottom ring seized and it stopped only because rotary valve got jammed by piece of needle bearing and sheared brass gears). Now it should work. As for the rotary valve, althou I did not turn it 360 but it was moving and was set up correctly, I even checked against starboard engine. Sure the easiest way would be to take it to the dealer(who would be more than happy to play with it) but my stupid pride would suffer a lot.
Anything?

 

[Dr Honda]

The problem is... you said it ran for a short time AFTER putting back together, and now it won't start. You have to go back and check things. These engines are simple, so when they don't run, it's normally something easy to find.

Compression and rotary valve. you need to check them.

 

[Tom's Evil Baby]

Compression OK. Nearly the same in both engines.