Help with the Basics

[jeffschiffer]

Hi All, I am new to thus forum and new to Hodakas. I just bought a 1972 Wombat, and it was dropped off yesterday. It is my second bike and my first 2 stroke. It just so happened that I was hope alone with my toddler son when the guy came to drop it off. I had time to do little more than sign that paperwork and pay for the bike before my little guy melted down- preventing me from asking any further questions. I viewed the bike before I bought it, and took it for a little spin in a parking lot, so I know it runs. I tried starting it up today, with no success, and am looking for a little help with the basics.

I know to start the bike in neutral with the choke open, gas line open, and no clutch. I also noticed there are three keys positions: off, a quarter turn, and a half turn. Which key position do I need to be in to start the bike? I tried in both positions with the bike in neutral, choke open, gas on and no clutch. Am I missing something really simple here?

Feeling like a bit of a novice and would be grateful for any pointers. Looking forward to learning more and fixing her up a little.

[dcooke007]

Jeff,

It would not be unusual to apply the choke to start a cold 2 stroke engine.

Danny Cooke

[Bullfrog]

. . . and do NOT advance the throttle while attempting a cold start. Really.

The "choke" is not really a choke. It is a kind of "mini-sized" starter carburetor circuit built into the carb which assures a properly rich mixture for cold starts with a two-stroke. And it is important to know that advancing the throttle defeats (shuts off) the starter circuit and makes cold starts quite difficult or impossible.

So . . .
1. Fuel petcock ON
2. Starter circuit ON
3. Key ON (either of the "ON" positions)
4. Smoothly kick 'er through (do NOT advance the throttle at the same time. No.)

After the engine is running . . . then you can play with the throttle (but mostly leave it alone) . . . and after the engine warms up a bit you should turn the starter circuit OFF.

Ed

[Dale]

Some bikes are easily flooded if the throttle is moved at all on cold starts. In that case you will find the spark plug to be very wet. A fresh plug will usually do the trick.
Dale