OMG! How can it be this simple????? Thanks Guys!

[terriphill]

Here's an update. As many of you know we have been frustrating over how terrible the B is running now that we finally got it started. It bucks and farts and smokes....arrrgh.
Tony pointed us towards the side plate,which was full of crud, we cleaned it..no real difference. (Although this is probably where the problems began)
It acted like it was missing. We removed the carb to make sure it wasn't gunked up. Checked the timing, dizzy on and on. When we pulled the plug wires with it running, it dropped significantly with the first two, but the back two plugs were obviously not getting spark. We had pretty much decided it was the distributor because we just weren't getting fire to the back two cylinders. Dave stepped in and suggested we buy new plugs before we replace the distributor and guess what? It purrrrrrrs. Lots of power, no shimmies, no shakes.
Then it died...oops, forgot to reconnect the fuel pump which we had disconnected to check for spark. Woo-hoo! Running again...then it died.
Putting our best thinking caps on, we decided to think like a BCFer..simple first...is it out of gas? Guess what...it was. This evening it's running smooth and strong!
Thank you all for your help and input! Hopefully the next post will be pictures of our first trip around the block.

 

[DrEntropy]

Good!!

ALWAYS check th' "dumb stuff" first!

 

[14dna]

WOO HOO!!!!!

I knew you could do it! Sometimes it is just best to go to page one and restart.
Now about those pictures. We want lots, with "BIG" smiles

Dave

 

[MGZT260]

Older cars can experience siphon tube decay inside of fuel tanks where even when half full they will suck air - oh, and dirt, also. The fuel filters on B's are not teh most efficient, either. Still keep your fingers crossed since if the back two plugs were fouled before there may be alingering reason that could foul them again. Old bikers (and I am one) always carry a spare plug or two.

 

[tony barnhill]

On the bottom of the fuel pickup inside the gas tank was a tiny filter...it may or may not still be there....if it is there's a good chance its partially clogged.....if the tank was ever boiled, its probably partially melted....if the tank was ever chemically lined, its possibly partially clogged.

When I redo a tank, the first thing I do is remove it.....you can usually see if its in place by taking the fuel sending unit out & looking insode with a flashlight.

 

[bgbassplyr]

simple example for light that will not come on.
1. Is it plugged into the wall socket? 2. Is the bulb good? 3. Is the wire broken? If all that is good..........Then
4. You can replace the switch.

 

[terriphill]

simple example for light that will not come on.
1. Is it plugged into the wall socket? 2. Is the bulb good? 3. Is the wire broken? If all that is good..........Then
4. You can replace the switch.

But we tend to look to the circuit as being bad first..LOL!