Motorcycle Repair: Honda atv, honda 4x4, little gasoline

Question
My 1992 Honda 4x4 atv will not turn over.  I think last time this happened somebody told me to put a little gasoline in the sparkplug area.  I think that this did work but it has been awhile.  Since I don't really know much about repair I thought I would check if this is even a safe thing to do.  

Thank you for your time,
Henry Schwenckert

Answer
Hi Henry.

You need to fix the problem, not do something dangerous to start the engine.

Start by checking to see if the carb is clean and the spark plug is properly gapped and clean.

Then check the fuel.  make sure that it is good and not months old.  If the bike tends to sit for months between uses, then you have "varnish in the tank and carb.  Reseal the tank and clean the carb.

Check the electrical system and make sure that there are no shorts in the ignition system.

Check the timing and the valve gap, then check compression as well.

Refer to the repair manual (get one if you don't have one) for specs and vaious proceedures specific to that machine.

Let me know what you find.

Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON