First start attempt on 88 510 a no go.

Oh, OK, sounds like the ethanol is a little worse than I thought.

Wonder what the easiest way to drain the whole fuel system would be, after each ride? I've seen bikes that have a drain valve on the float bowl, and another hose. Cup or whatever under the hose, open valve, drain system all the way up to the tank if you want.

Thanks man, yeah, she's been messed with, but still is pretty sweet. Been taken care of I believe, throughout her whole history.

I'm also kinda thinking, wait for the new boots. I really want to have this thing start, on my next go at it.



Talked with the PO, and he said he was expecting me to have trouble. He also said the spark plug is new.

I wonder if for example, the needle & seat valve was stuck closed, and all my kicking is anything to worry about regarding the spark plug. PO said new plug is in her.

PO thinks I had it flooded, which I agreed to that yeah, you'd think I would have had it flooded. However, I've never been around a bike, or carbureted car, that when flooded, you couldn't smell fuel big time. And I smelled none. So, I'm still opened to that possibility, till I know forsure ya know, but I'm leaning a bit towards the stuck float valve. Will be confirming that's opened, and fuel right to the carbs float bowl, before the first kick.

I think you should clean the carb, paying special attention to the pilot jet and choke jet. If those bikes sit a while the crap fuel really does those in. Your technique sounds good. I vote for dirty carb/poor fuel. Btw I currently have a 87 and 88 510.

Any pics of your bikes???? And where in WA are you at? I'm headed for the PNW in a year or two.

OK, thanks for the info. Once I started getting frustrated, I eventually tried the kicking like a 2 stroke, with the compression release pulled like that too. Just never did get any signs of life.

As soon as my boots show up, I'll more thoroughly confirm fuel in the float bowl, spark, and then kick that thing like I'm kick starting my 440 big block lol. Had the jump up for full leg extension, and full bodyweight down technique, down pretty good near the end the other day. Can't imagine I won't have her lit next go around.