Small Engines (Lawn Mowers, etc.): Running a motor backwards., hirth motor, cart motor

Question
I recently replace the motor in my golf cart with a Hirth, two stroke, 340 cc, snowmobile motor.  The original two stroke golf cart motor would run backwards; thus, providing reverse.  When I try to run the snowmobile motor backwards, it will fire once then quit.  Is there anything that I can do with the timing to make the Hirth motor run backwards and forwards?

Answer
Hi Paul,

I had a golf car that ran in reverse.  It was a Harley-Davidson.  I thought it was quite unusual and have never seen another engine that ran backwards.  The only thing that you can try is to set the timing to top dead center, which would supply equal timing for both directions.  I don't think it will be that easy.  Unless the engine is designed to operate in both directions, I think there will be issues.

Good luck.
Michael