Tappets Hard to kickstart

[atkin]

   Hi,
        The bike was running fine .I adjusted the tappets on my A10 Iron head to haynes spec for the year . I noticed they were a   bit tight before adjustment .
  On reassembly its hard to kick start . When I remove the plugs all is fine but put in the plugs no HT lead still difficult like its got too high compression . ??

[orabanda]

Hi Atkin,
The good news is, you are going to kick harder in future.
Sounds like the valves are now fully closed on compression - well done with the tappet readjustment!
Enjoy the ride,
Richard

[chaterlea25]

Hi Atkin,
I would go back and re check the tappets again,
Check one exhaust valve when the other exhaust valve is fully open (down)
and vice versa
Then do the same with the inlets

John

[atkin]

Hi Atkin,
The good news is, you are going to kick harder in future.
Sounds like the valves are now fully closed on compression - well done with the tappet readjustment!
Enjoy the ride,
Richard

  Hi Thanks for the reply . I can only manage a half stroke down on the kickstart and my foot is sore !  The bike has run for 10 years after the last tappet adjustment ?  I rechecked the tappets all ok . I discovered that the tappets upset the ignition timing so after some head banging using 9/32 '' below recommended 11/32 its working . Yes looks adjustments are different to a new bike , not so hard to kick now there is life in it .

[Jules]

thats a really interesting outcome, because the ignition timing wont affect the compression pressures  ....hard to understand unless the ignition timing is sufficiently retarded/advanced now that its actually firing as you are kicking it over 

[Swarfcut]

 Well, even with my well honed and lithe body (who you kidding?)  I always start the bike on the stand, just using most of my weight rather than a leg kick. Always done it that way, and always with a pair of decent footwear.

 But this conundrum could stem from tappet and ignition settings being initially incorrect but not far enough out to prevent running. Putting one right and it all goes to pot.  If I've read it right there is no resistance to indicate internal binding eg coil bound springs etc with the plugs out. Oil in the bores could be another cause, but as the motor is now running, oily exhaust smoke would be a clue to a problem here.

 Reckon it's back to basics, time before TDC and drive the timing gears via the crank to eliminate backlash as the piston rises  to the static timing mark, stick down the hole method. Auto unit must be set at full advance, wooden wedge trick.

 Swarfy

[atkin]

thats a really interesting outcome, because the ignition timing wont affect the compression pressures  ....hard to understand unless the ignition timing is sufficiently retarded/advanced now that its actually firing as you are kicking it over 

  Adjusting the tappets that were initally tight upset the ignition timing so after setting ign timing 13/32 ,11/32, at  9/32 perfect .
  On testing the rear tube pulled at the valve tyre creep and so now to fix this !! Pressure was recently checked . I will increase it a bit and check more often ordered a heavy duty tube .

[BagONails]

@Atkin, I'm struggling to understand how "adjusting the tappets" can affect ignition timing?

Might sound like a silly question but you do mean adjusting the valve clearances don't you? Or have you confused tappets with points?  Adjusting the points will affect the timing no question.

Adjust points first, then set the timing, then go back and recheck the points clearance.

[atkin]

@Atkin, I'm struggling to understand how "adjusting the tappets" can affect ignition timing?

Might sound like a silly question but you do mean adjusting the valve clearances don't you? Or have you confused tappets with points?  Adjusting the points will affect the timing no question.

Adjust points first, then set the timing, then go back and recheck the points clearance.

  Well it refused to start after adjusting the tappets and resetting the ignition timing got it to start the points were not touched at 12 thou.