QuestionQUESTION: 81 shovel stroker, points, solids. been running good then all at once it would start then acted like it ran out of gas. checked spark. it looked weak so i replaced the pionts and plugs and coil had a good spark.tried again. getting gas. backfired thru carb, but would'nt start.finally flooded too much. switched carbs from s&s e shorty to a rebuilt su. i'm kickstarting so i know i have lots of compression. can the timing change? checked the screws that hold the timing and there tight. please help if you can. p.s. the bike is built in a rigid frsme. nothing is stock.
ANSWER: The timing cant change, unless you change it.
First, I would do a OHMs test on the coil to make sure its good. Next, check the weights behind the points to make sure the springs have not broken. Also, check your pushrods to make sure they are not to tight. If this doesnt help let me know.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike
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QUESTION: thanks for the quick response. the coil is new and is for point system. push rods spin freely been wrenching this bike since 93 never had this problem before. the counter weights are a good idea. i'll check them today. could it be a blown head gasket? when the motor was stroked, they did'nt even tighten down head bolts. i rode it home 70 miles and had to replace the gaskets. ran good for 8 months. thanks again for your help.
AnswerIf you had a blown head gasket the bike would probably still start, but not run quit right. On your head bolts, anytime you do a top end on a shovel, once the bike is started and run until it gets hot you have to go back and tighten the head bolts as well as the cylinder base bolts while the bike it hot or they will be loose
Mike
