500 Strada starting

[TimClarke]

I just bought this bike and it seems nice but has sat around for a while so i did anticipate it might be hard to start at first. Spins over quick but not firing and the first thing I checked were the plugs. It has B7ESs fitted - so my first question please - is that OK instead of BP7ESs?

[lemans]

http://www.brommer-forum.nl/faq/200/1.jpg

"P" has to do with the insulatortype, projected or not.
but it doesn't ring a bell what the actual difference might be, I always use the BP-series when buying NGK

but they costs next to nothing so changing won't break the bank. Do not buy from internet, lot of fakes around.
just buy from the local garage.
kind regards Anne

[Emmohaswheelsagain]

Hi Tim, had a similar problem, sounds obvious but it is worth checking the ht leads, you might have a poor connection particularly with the transducers. Worth reseating these you might find that the bike will fire up instantly, mine did.

[TimClarke]

I'll have a look, but I wafted a bit of easistart into the intake and the bike fired up immediately and ran for a second or 2 then died which makes me think fuelling although the fuel is fresh and is getting to the carbs

[3potjohn]

You may get a reluctance to start if stood for a long time-try a mL or so of engine oil into the spark plug holes first in case the bores are dry.
Check fuel is getting into the floatbowls and when they're removed hold up the float manually, turn on a manual tap then allow the float to drop catching fuel in a ramekin or similar. You should also get an idea if float needle is sticking.
Check by eye that there are no obvious contaminants.
Turn in the pilot screw counting turns until it gently bottoms out then remove. Check the o-ring and check with torch inside hole in case another is stuck in there. Blast out with carb cleaner. Refit all and try again. Pilot screw about 1.5 turns out to start with.
Manual choke piston tips can perish and fail, so remove and check those.

[TimClarke]

You may get a reluctance to start if stood for a long time-try a mL or so of engine oil into the spark plug holes first in case the bores are dry.
Check fuel is getting into the floatbowls and when they're removed hold up the float manually, turn on a manual tap then allow the float to drop catching fuel in a ramekin or similar. You should also get an idea if float needle is sticking.
Check by eye that there are no obvious contaminants.
Turn in the pilot screw counting turns until it gently bottoms out then remove. Check the o-ring and check with torch inside hole in case another is stuck in there. Blast out with carb cleaner. Refit all and try again. Pilot screw about 1.5 turns out to start with.
Manual choke piston tips can perish and fail, so remove and check those.

Cheers John, will try!

[TimClarke]

Also, any suggestions as to choke lever positioning?

[Emmohaswheelsagain]

I assume you have the choke lever on the handle bars. Check the routing and condition of the cables under the tank. Mine were in poor condition so I opted for individual chokes on each carb. This allows you to start the bike with the choke activated on one carb and in my view gets rid of the cables and splitter under the tank.

[Dickyboy]

Just to add I'm having a similar problem with the 500 I bought from the Iconic Auction too, but not had anytime to investigate further yet. Fingers crossed you get yours sorted soon Tim.

[TimClarke]

Ah cheers, yes the bike fired up nicely on Sunday following 2 gallons of fresh petrol, an oil change and a change of plugs. I stupidly bought a cheap battery which wasn't really up to the job but a new Yuasa seems to have helped. I was able to start on the kickstart and the electric start yesterday but idling was poor so some more fiddling to do. I had to work today but I'm going to make the time to do a few miles tomorrow and see how things are when the bike's good and hot out on the open road. Let me know if you might need a hand and we can duplicate what I did to get it going!! I'm pretty sure the bike had sat for a long time as the battery on it was stone dead and the fuel tank and carbs were bone dry although there was a bit of petrol in the oil.

[Dickyboy]

Thanks Tim, from receipts I can see that Benjy Straw did some work in Nov 24, so can't have been sat too long, battery is good & brimmed with petrol, probably be Friday before I can spend some time going over it though.

[TimClarke]

Thanks Tim, from receipts I can see that Benjy Straw did some work in Nov 24, so can't have been sat too long, battery is good & brimmed with petrol, probably be Friday before I can spend some time going over it though.

Good luck with it - My one did have slightly the wrong plugs in it - B7ES rather than B87ES - might be worth looking.....

[George 350]

Hi,
One item often neglected/ignored when trying to set up carbs is the health of the choke plungers. The 'rubber' seals on the ends, if original, are approaching 50 years old and are almost certainly past their best.
There are 2 choices here - either new choke plunger assemblies (£££) or replacement rubber seals only (£).

Eurocarb are good for the former, but don't offer the latter, but there is an eBay seller who does. I think I paid £5 for a pair from him.
Don't forget to ensure that the o-ring at the top is OK too.

As an extra, Chairman Tom suggests always leaving the choke 'on' when you park up as it will mean less time for the seals to take a 'set' and therefore will work better for longer.

Regards,
George

[morini_tom]

Thanks Tim, from receipts I can see that Benjy Straw did some work in Nov 24, so can't have been sat too long, battery is good & brimmed with petrol, probably be Friday before I can spend some time going over it though.

Good luck with it - My one did have slightly the wrong plugs in it - B7ES rather than B87ES - might be worth looking.....

Plugs should be projected nose plugs- BP…

Regarding heat range, you may find the 8 a bit cold.

I’d probably start with BP7ES and see how they fare.

[TimClarke]

Thanks Tim, from receipts I can see that Benjy Straw did some work in Nov 24, so can't have been sat too long, battery is good & brimmed with petrol, probably be Friday before I can spend some time going over it though.

Good luck with it - My one did have slightly the wrong plugs in it - B7ES rather than B87ES - might be worth looking.....

Plugs should be projected nose plugs- BP…

Regarding heat range, you may find the 8 a bit cold.

I’d probably start with BP7ES and see how they fare.

Thank you - I managed to find the BP7ES plugs and will fit later today!