trying to get my bike running

[Ben]

i have just recently bought a 1972 honda 750 cb that has been sitting for 11 years, but is still in good shape. When i got it home we got it to turn over once and since then it hasnt. i have replaced the battery, rebuilt the carbs,replaced the spark plugs, and replaced the coils. i have also checked and cleaned the little round filter that seperates my fuel tank from my fuel lines. When i try to start it, it sounds like it wants to turn over, but it just wont . i have tried manual starts, compresion starts, and just the regular ignition starts and still nothing. i am new to the bike world ,just learning as i go, so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated. thank you.

[TOOLS1]

Welcome to the forum. I am going to assume that the engine is cranking over, so the first thing to check, for is spark. If, you have spark then check, for gas getting into the cylinders. After this we will know more about how to proceed.
TOOLS

[Ben]

its has an electronic ignition and no points. the top of the piston looks clean and dry. spark plug has black soot(which wipes off easily) im assuming all the back fire noises might be the cause of the soot. the way the fuel lines are set up is one fuel line comes from the gas tank and goes to a T between carb 4 and 3 and the other fuel line come to a T between 2 and 1. i dont believe i have messed up the coil wires. Cyclinder one is on the far right as you are sitting on the bike. I have a good spark off all four spark plugs. i have 98 pounds of cylinder pressure on all four cylinders. As for the fuel, how do you check if fuel is getting to each cylinder?

[mikefootusa]

Correct me if I'm wrong...isn't #1 on the left as from sitting on the bike?

[shinyribs]

You're correct Mike. Number 1 is on the clutch lever side. If your plugs look wet then they have fuel on them. if they are sooty as you describe,there must be fuel present to create soot. If you are experiencing backfires I would consider checking the timing. BUT,since it is a possibility you confused the cylinder numbers,once you correct that it will most likely correct the timing issue,if that is the case. #1 far left sitting on the bike then left to right 1-2-3-4. Try that and let us know what happens. Good luck!

[Ben]

it worked! we just had the spark plugs and coil wires in the wrong spot. thanks a lot guys i really do appreciate it im excited to ride it.

[Lucky 1]

All machines in the world airplanes,cars,motorcycles everything has the parts oriented as if the operator is standing in the back of the machine looking forward.

Airplane engine on the far left  is #1 engine.
Pilot seat left side #1 seat.

Motorcycle engine cylinder on the far left is #1.


See what I mean.

[Piute]

ford n chevy ?

[mikefootusa]

Hey Ben...glad you got it running!

[shinyribs]

Ford uses the right front cylinder for #1. Leave it to them,huh? It's because when looking at the motor from the front that cylinder protrudes the furthest forward,therefore its the first cylinder to get to. Sometimes that method is used as well.

Regardless...woo hoo !  It lives! Good feeling ,huh?

[Ben]

its a great feeling. this is my first bike so im so excited to get it up and running! thanks again guys.

[LukeM]

Glad you got it going.  Nice feeling, isn't it?

Now you get to take some time to get to know your bike.  Listen to all the little noises it makes.  How does it accelerate: smoothly, jerks a bit, stumbles, runs out of breath at 6000 rpm?  Are the brakes pulsing or feeling soft? Take it into a turn, does it wiggle or wander, maybe step out on you? How are the tires? Do they have decent grip? Turn signals working well?  Instruments bright enough?  Any leaks or drips? Chain need adjustment?

This is the fun part...finding all those little things that need occasional attention. If the core of the machine (engine and drivetrain) are working well, then you're in good shape.

By the way, I know a guy in KC who's got LOTS of cycles for parts and stuff.  Maybe you've heard of him...he posts to this forum once in a while.

Good job, Ben.  Now you get to help the next guy, be it here, or on the road somewhere. Be careful.
Luke M