TOPIC:

have you ever checked the battery voltage while cranking?
AFAIK the later Nordies, with the inductive ignition, switch off the spark at voltages below a value i just cannot remember. Pete should know about that

If you have a voltage meter you may check the voltage direct at the battery and direct at the connection at the starter motor. Both while cranking.
If there are differences that may be due to a problem with the wiring between.

ciao Joachim

Despite that the bike has not moved in at least 7 years & the slow cranking, a little bit of carb cleaner sprayed in the air box & and to my surprise the engine fired right up so I think that the sparking must be ok?

If possible I wouldn't mind hearing what someone else's Nordwest cranks like so I could make a comparisson.

\\\Brett

I think Joachim is right - I seem to remember hearing that the later ignition cuts power to the sparks at lower voltages - if you have a search through the forum there are plenty posts about poor starting to trawl through, but a fully charged battery will show you whats happening when it's spinning at 'normal' speed.

The problems I had were with the early CDI system on the 604 tuned engine. It would crank over smartly but still not start, or just give an impressive backfire in the silencer.

Not too bad in the summer but impossible to start from cold in the winter. I found that removing any corrosion on the ignition 'pips' on the rotor and carefully setting the air gap between them and the pickup helped, but the best cure was to go a grade softer on the plug until the summer arrived. In fact, for hill climb use I just left a DPR8 in instead of a 9.

I've hooked the battery directly to the starter motor & it is the same so that rules out the wiring & relay.

This was a last attempt to have a go at it and I need the space so it is now for sale if anyone one here is interested. I don't know what it's worth but must at least be 400 quid in spares so I'd take that.
Bike has been kept in a damp garage so needs plenty of TLC minimum would be tyres, chain, pads battery etc.
The tank neck has split at the threads. There is a hole in the clear plastic face of the clocks. Done 18K km.

As honest as I can be I think and the engine can be shown runing.

O77349III33 get in touch if interested, Brett.

Hi

You have left out a number.

I Am interested, call me on 07837 689005

Pete