1981 ktm 390 project about finished

[Roostin440]

Here is a ktm I rebuilt for a friend. He liked the 1980 plastic better then the 1981 stuff. The graphics should be here by next weekend.
The bing was beyond repair so it has a new 38mm mikuni. I would be happy if I could start it. It has a new piston and lots of compression, spark, air. The timing is 2.1mm. On my Maico I lean it over for a few seconds, kick it through easy a couple of times and then from tic a couple of serious kicks and it starts. No luck with this one. Seems like no mater what I do it gets flooded. I lowered the float level to compensate for the carb angle. Checked the ignition with a ohm meter. It fired once for a split second, and then not even a pop. Any suggestions?

[Slakewell]

One of my Fav bikes I just love these 390. It will most likely be the ignition whilst they have spark and test ok they just dont generate enough power to start them. If you havent cleaned the cases and stator do so now or put on an extra earth might help.

[Bitten]

I have no experience with a vintage KTM specifically but it sounds like what was happening to my RM465 and for me it was a dodgy kill switch, I replaced it with a new one and she fired straight up

Cheers

[Montynut]

I know you probably know but you haven't been caught with the old problem of a newly painted frame and not taking the paint off at least one engine mount to make a good earth return for the ignition? I think that model have motoplat which is a weak spark at kick over speed anyway and needs an almost perfect earth system. It may spark with the plug out but not under compression. Cut the earth eletrode off a spark plug and it should still (just) see the spark jump the gap with a good kick.

[Roostin440]

Thanks guys. I ground the area for the coil but I don't think I did the motor mounts. I'll clean the ignition and grind a motor mount surface tomorrow. I had the kill switch disconnected just in case