She Won't Start!

[viclioce]

OK I need some help. She started before I worked on her. Now she won't start. I cleaned the carb slide and the throat of the carb so the slide would move freely again. Since she started before I did the top end work, shouldn't she start now?

Ed! Can you give me some basic screw turn guidance? Idle screw, pilot jet screw, main jet? Here's what I have. It's a Model 95 top end, .10 over with a new bore. The carb is a Minkuni but there is no size number on the outside of it. I am guessing since the top end is a model 95, that it's the carb that goes with the Model 95 but can't confirm. Is there a way to confirm the carb size? Please let me know! I know it's not the carb for the Model 94 because I have about 25 bowl gaskets for the model 94 carb and they don't fit this carb because it's bigger. So that's why I'm guessing it's a stock (?) Model 95 carb?!?!

I'm going to check her for spark, and make sure all the wires are again connected properly. My grandson (and me too!) is getting antsy because he wants to ride it! I told him "When I can ride it, you can ride it!" But man, it's been one thing after another. If I have no spark and clear that up, I will let you know. ; D Victor

[dcooke007]

Hey Victor, I know just how you feel. My current project has proved challenging also. Check the basics first....spark and fuel. What ever is lacking address. If you post a picture we could possibly id the carb and top end for you.

Danny

[viclioce]

Dan. Here are pics of the carb from either side. Took with my iPhone so not the best for close up.

Damned pics are upside down again on the post until you click on them for a larger view, then they appear right side up. Does anyone know why this happens with iPhone photos?!?!?!

[dcooke007]

Yea pics are still upside down even when expanded. None the less it is the same "style" carb as the model 95 has. That does not necessarily mean it is correct. I have a Hodaka 95 model carb by my desk and looked for any external identifying marks. Found 33 stamped on the top of the carb flange right side. See if you have those markings on your carb also.

Danny

[viclioce]

Flange? Right side? Maybe you can post a pick too? Especially since you have it off the bike! Thx! ; D Victor

[dcooke007]

Here you go.

[Zyx]

Looks like a 24mm Mikuni, which had the open slot flange. Appears to match the diagrams for 94/94A. Measure the throttle bore in millimeters. The 95 had a closed hole flange as shown in the second set of photos, and is a 28mm Mikuni. Someone may have switched back to a smaller carb for any of several reasons, or you may have a different cylinder than you think. I believe the set of four bolts on the cylinder are the same for both styles, but the bolt spacing for the carb flange is not the same, so probably the intake manifold for yours is also from the earlier model, to go with the carb.

[Zyx]

As for the won't start part, internal combustion engine 101: three things needed, spark, fuel, compression. If it has these three things it will run. After that it becomes a matter of degree. Enough compression, correct timing of spark, enough air to go with the fuel. Check spark first along with the plug itself. Might have picked up a shot of oil or grease from assembly. Anyway, the three ingredients never change, like the triangle of fire, this is the triangle of gas combustion engines.

[BrianZ]

I would say that your carburetor is from a model 93 Super Rat and the manifold is likely from a model 94 Wombat. Both the carb and manifold will be 24mm. Regardless, as AZ has already stated you need to have fuel, compression, and spark for the engine to run. Since it ran before you had things apart we can conclude that the jetting should be in the ball park. Adjusting the air screw about 1.5 to 2 turns out is the typical setting.

Brian

[Charlie R]

Is the plug wet/smells of fuel? If so, check for spark. If no spark, I would suspect a lack of ground due to the fresh paint/powdercoat.

[Zyx]

Good point. Run a temporary ground wire from the coil grounding point under the tank to the cylinder head and try for spark. You can always run an extra wire between coil base and cylinder fins. My PVL CDI unit came with just such an extra wire because it is needed, but providing a good, short path to ground is always better than a long, high resistance frame to frame ground. Worth checking, and that way if it is paint on engine or frame blocking ground path, you don't need to chip off paint or powder coat to make it work.

[viclioce]

She ran with the new paint! I Was out fishing today, so I'll get back to it tomorrow. More to come! ; D Victor

[viclioce]

Dan. One side of the flange says ISO & the other side says 248 with an A1 underneath the 248. The intake manifold had a 94 on it but the cylinder uses a Model 95 exhaust gasket & manifold. ; D Victor

[viclioce]

She RUNS!!! Turns out I had the blue & black wires to the coil reversed! Put a new plug in her too. Man she sounds great! Gonna put the tank on her & take a little ride around the subdivision & see what adjustments she needs! THANK YOU TO EVERYONE!!! ; D Victor!

[Bullfrog]

I've been in an internet blackhole for the past few days, but am catching up now.

So it seems that you have a 24mm carb on a Wombat 94 manifold mounted up to a Combat Wombat (95) cylinder. While that will limit the top end a bit, it ought to be a very nicely mannered set up on the trail. Unfortunately, I have no specifications for jetting that set up to give you. I can only recommend that you review the information on pages 62 thru 64 of the Official Hodaka Workshop Manual for the Wombat and Combat Wombat. Proper procedures for jetting the carb are provided there.

Ed

[viclioce]

Ed. The top of the last page, page 64, is cut off on top and I can't read the beginning of this page on tuning the carb. Any chance you could scan it and email it to me?

Also you said it would limit the top end. Can you recommend what additional carb I might try? ; D Victor

[Bullfrog]

Sorry. My scanner is buried under tax time shoe box "files" of stuff - no scanning for a while. You can download the VM carb manual from Sudco - which has the same information as the Hodaka Workshop Manual. The VM carb manual is also available in the Files section of the Yahoo Hodaka Owners Group.

Let's see. You could get one of the new 26mm carbs from Strictly Hodaka . . . or search out the original Combat Wombat flange mount 28mm carb . . . or go on a "chicken's teeth" search for a 28mm carb from a Model 98 Super Rat . . . or . . .

Ed