Maico 490 1981 Mega 2 - starting issues

[peely_14]

G'day fellow maico enthusiasts!

I am seeking some "maico" specific advice on starting my new toy.

I bought the bike a couple of months ago from interstate and have been trying to start it, but can't seem to get it firing. I have cleaned the carby, swapped carbys with my old boys 490, installed a decomp valve, new spark plug. Have tried kicking and push starting, however still no luck. I have bought a new spark plug cap yesterday so tomorrow I will install and see whether it has a win. I am thinking it could be low on spark?

Any suggestions would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Peely

[PEZBerq]

Sounds like you have no evidence of life at all from the motor.  Have you confirmed it has spark? No rags in airbox? Fuel + spark + air + compression should  give rise to a bang every now and again. Ignition timing needs to be checked also.

[sleepy]

Tell us more about the bike. What ignition is fitted? What carb is fitted? Any idea on condition of piston/rings, crank seals, base gasket/head gasket etc?
What is your starting procedure?

[KTM47]

If it won't even push start there is something not right.  Probably spark.

They have a weak spark anyway with whatever ignition is used.  Like has been said what ignition has it got.

I have trouble starting my 490 but I have put it down to getting older and not having the leg strength.  It usually push starts easily though.  It will then kick start after that.

Another problem is not getting enough fuel in to start from cold.  Either way if it doesn't push start ignition is the likely problem.

Where are you?

[shelpi]

check the key way hasn't sheered giving incorrect timing

[80-85 husky]

check the exhaust for wasp mice bugs etc. this can prevent ignition as well.

[paul]

Has it made any type of noise. Back fire any thing,
Does it have spark

[Nebo]

   Is the Plug wet?.    WHAT Ignition System does it have?

   If it is Motoplat BIN IT.

   Replace with PVL or HPI.

   

[Slakewell]

Remove the pipe and carby, Tip some fuel straight into the inlet and then see if she fires up, If that doesn't work it will the timing or lack of spark or compression.

[sleepy]

Don't like to be negative about others posts but I would not try to start a bike with the carb off as it is possible with a case full of fuel for the motor to over rev and do it self harm. Poor in some fuel but put the carb back on first, that way you can control the RPM.
With the advice on ditching Motoplat. Don't rush into that as I seen several 490's that are impossible to kick start after being fitted with PVL's. They push start but with fresh pistons fitted the kick speed is just not high enough make a spark.

[KTM47]

Don't like to be negative about others posts but I would not try to start a bike with the carb off as it is possible with a case full of fuel for the motor to over rev and do it self harm. Poor in some fuel but put the carb back on first, that way you can control the RPM.
With the advice on ditching Motoplat. Don't rush into that as I seen several 490's that are impossible to kick start after being fitted with PVL's. They push start but with fresh pistons fitted the kick speed is just not high enough make a spark.

Motoplat ignitions can be rebuilt etc.  If you want to add fuel or even aerostart you can do it through the sparkplug hole.  But if it isn't push starting it probably hasn't got spark. If it has engine might need a rebuild.

[Nebo]

    The problem with the PVL System kits on some Maico,s  earlyer in the peace was the kit had or the customer ordered the wrong stator Assembly.

 The Stators only had 1500 turns on generator Coil.

This will not generate the higher voltage needed for kick starting. Should have been Approximatley 4000.

  I think this problem is now solved.  Anyway you do not know what you are missing till using the PVL.     

 Less kick back on a 400. Easyer to kick start. Better Engine responding to throttle.  No plug Fouling.

   On the 250 4 speed the Engine will rev to Infinity. Very Easy to Start.

[Nebo]

 peely .  Whats happening. Have you go that 490 going.

    Has it got spark. Or have you found some other problem?.

     Cannot be that hard.  After all Maicos are easy to fix.

      WE NEED TO KNOW.



  MAICO  1970 250 square barrel. 2016 OZ Title Winner.

  1980 GS400 .   1981 250 Mega 2.     


 

[80-85 husky]

chirp chirp chirrup chirp......

[shelpi]

?