Help with starting my VH

[john lloyd]

Just completed a total rebuild on the VH and it fired up for twenty seconds, cannot get it to go again now. Just wondered if anybody in the Wigan (Hindley Green) area could drop by and sort me out?. I will pay expences and refreshments for good advice but need help in kicking it over. I have arthritic knees and they can't cope after about 20 kicks. I don't think there is a great deal to getting it going but I'm at a loss. Any help would be appreciated.

[Paul Gasson]

Hello John, I live near Preston and if you do not get any offers beforehand, I would be more than happy to give you a hand. Unfortunately, I am not able to help before next week and only evenings during the week. Please let me know if you would like to arrange something and I will get my kickstarting leg warmed up! I have an NH of about the same age as your super looking bike and an earlier single model. Regards, Paul

[simon.holyfield]

Lovely looking bike. I wish I was a bit closer!

[Brian.Fosh]

Tasty.. Likewise those strawberry's.

[nevhunter]

They are never the worlds easiest motor to kick . Maybe your timing has slipped. A really good magneto spark is essential. Don't have too big a plug gap, and the magneto one will close up a bit from new, as it wears in. Once the bike has covered a few miles it will be free er than straight from a rebuild. Use the decompressor initially to let a bit of compression away. When you are really used to them you can bounce the thing off compression and kick it better without. Have your foot so it can get out of the way if it kicks back. It looks great. Nev

[adrie.degraaff]

The airscrew must be one and a half turn open on a restored carb, if not restored than better do that first.

[johnwalsh]

If it started , but then died and won'r re-start I suggest the timing has slipped.

[john lloyd]

Many thanks for the advice from all the members, I will try again and start from scratch with the timing and carb settings.
Cheers John

[Brian.Fosh]

Back in the good ole days, you could get a spray can of Easy Start... Wonderful on cold days...The Bees Knees!

and I see halfords and even Screwfix still sell it.

I'm not sure how easy to use with your air filter...and it won't fix wrong timing.. but If it halves the amount of kicking and reduces the need to kick so hard while your setting the bike up, that's a whole lot easier on the knees after all your excellent work...

http://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine ... tart-300ml


Best of luck. Brian.

[simon.holyfield]

I started an MZ on it a while back, brilliant stuff.