[Sudipto-S-Team]

I think what Kuttapan means is, checking the spark plug's electrode is a good indicator of the health of the engine. If you find unusual black soot within a short period of cleaning the plug then you should know the engine is not performing too well.
Now judging engine's health in this way needs some experience, in the sense you must know how much black soot is normal and how much is abnormal. If you periodically check the plug (just visual inspection) then you soon get a fair idea of how the colour changes over a period of time.

[bblost]

This will help you out.

Originally Posted by bblost

Plug colours do tell a lot about the condition of an engine.
This is a very handy chart.
Verrill: Plug Color Chart

Originally Posted by Sankar

The problem with reading spark plugs is that it's not accurate just to compare the colour of the porcelain with a plug chart. Plug charts can be taken as a good reference but jetting is lot more than just plug colours.

Here's a good plug colour chart:
Spark Plugs

MY Karizma's plug looked like No 16. I'm hoping to get the colour of No 14 plug with the upjet, coz it felt slightly lean at WOT but excellent at midrange. Probably the jet i need might a 132 which i didn't buy.

[simplynitin]

I have a 2009 Thunderbird twin spark which I usually use for leisure rides. Hence it spends more time parked then on the road. So anyways, I was running into battery issues recently. Finally the battery gave up completely. Got a brand new battery and installed it yesterday. Now all the lights are working fine. But it still doesn't start. Tried kick start, electric and even push start. Verified the fuses next to battery and both looks good. Anything else I can check myself before taking it to the service center? Appreciate any and all suggestions.

[the_trooper]

check the spark plug. Replace it with a new one and try.

if it still does not start, your carburettor might need cleaning.

[simplynitin]

Originally Posted by the_trooper

check the spark plug. Replace it with a new one and try.

I can't figure out a way to do that. Are there any resources available which shows/tells how to remove the spark plugs? Also, since its twin spark, isn't the possibility of both spark plugs failing at the same time quite remote?

I am learning my way around the TBTS engine and electrical systems. Apologies for any idiotic questions.

[simplynitin]

The CDI unit was faulty. Its replaced and it's back to one kick start.

[Sudden123]

I am having trouble starting my Desert Storm (Classic 500) whenever i don't ride it for a week at a stretch. The button start makes a fizzing noise and fades out. No number of kicks seems to help! When i called the mechanic he said something weird. He said spark plug gets damaged when not started for a week and changed it. Now he says if i don't start it evert day this problem will persist. Changing spark plug every time seems odd. can come one help me who has experienced and solved this problem in Classic 500.
thanks

[trumpet]

Hi,

I had this problem once. I have a TB500. The buttom made that same fizzing noise, but i was able to kick start it.

The service guy examined the bike and told me that 2 plates on the battery had gone weak and that's why it couldn't produce 14 volts for startup. The 500 needs 14v. Please check the battery. That should do.

Trumpet!

[akshay4587]

Originally Posted by Sudden123

I am having trouble starting my Desert Storm (Classic 500) whenever i don't ride it for a week at a stretch. The button start makes a fizzing noise and fades out. No number of kicks seems to help! When i called the mechanic he said something weird. He said spark plug gets damaged when not started for a week and changed it. Now he says if i don't start it evert day this problem will persist. Changing spark plug every time seems odd. can come one help me who has experienced and solved this problem in Classic 500.
thanks

My Classic chrome,at times lies unused for like 3 weeks or even more, and has always started on the first self.
I would recommend that you get the battery checked first, the fizzing noise from starter is a sign of a weak battery.

[outofthebox]

My Classic 500 had the same issue due to my erratic riding schedules. Three batteries and four years later, I have finally fixed the problem and now even after a month the bike starts in max 2 or 3 cranks. No kick required.

1)Monitor & never let the battery voltage fall below 12.4V. I installed a cheap digital voltmeter and a SAE2 connector for plugging in a charger across the battery for this purpose.

Once you start monitoring the battery voltage, you will realise that the battery doesn't charge properly on it's own especially during night rides. That brings us to solution 2 & 3.

2)When encountering low battery situation, switch of all lights and do some 'spirited' riding for at least 30 - 45 mins, low speeds are fine too - just try & remain in one gear lower than usual.

3)Swap as many bulbs in the bike with LED's as possible. I swapped all off them out and have achieved a 70% reduction in load on the battery.

4)Get the bike checked by a qualified electricals specialist for 'ground leaks'.

5)Go for a LiFePO4 battery if you can get hold of one at a decent price. 12V 10AH is good enough to supply the cranking current required.

[Sudden123]

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[outofthebox]

One option you can try is by decompressing the engine. Keep the clutch pressed and push your kick starter once or twice in a 'pumping motion'. Then let go both. Now press the choke and give a nice strong kick to the kick starter. and hold the kick starter in that position. The Engine might start this way. It doesn't work always. Try the entire procedure a couple of times - you might get lucky.

Another method is to jump start from a car or another bike with a working 12V 14AH battery. Don't try to crank with a low voltage battery - it can permanently damage the electronic ignition.

If both don't work, seek a qualified help. There could be some other issue other than the battery.

[ArizonaJim]

Sudden123

First, the spark plug has nothing to do with your motorcycles inability to crank and start.
The problem is most likely to be the battery but, the thick wires that connect to the battery terminals may be loose or somewhat corroded. Examine them and tighten the bolts that hold them to the batteries lead terminals.

Batteries will slowly lose their charge if they are left to sit unused for long periods of time. A battery that has a weak charge that barely works can become discharged to the point that it won't work at all.

The immediate solution to the problem is to buy a new battery.
After obtaining a new battery, if most of your riding consists of short trips at low speeds, ride with the transmission in a lower gear than you normally do. The higher engine speed will keep the new battery fully charged.
On longer trips or higher speeds you can use the gears you normally would use.

If you don't ride the motorcycle often, it is a good idea to buy a small "trickle charger" to maintain a good charge in your battery.
A "Battery Tender" or similar trickle charger, will do a good job of maintaining your batteries charge.

In the link below, you can see what one of these looks like. They supply a very low amount of current and they have internal circuits to prevent overcharging the battery.

Although the link is to a US store, I am sure there are motorcycle shops in India that carry these or similar units.

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Battery-Te...arger/15779492

One thing you DON"T want to do is to buy a battery charger that is rated at more than 2 amp of power. Using a battery charger made for automobiles which put out more than 2 amp's of power will ruin your motorcycle battery in less than a days time.

[udey]

I was looking at articles on what all checks are reassuring regarding starting the old cast iron engine Enfields.

I had a scare after the local vehicle washing shop sprayed water into the spark plug, the carburetor and tore the hosepipe.

If these steps don't work--you need to probably get a mechanic who knows these old devils called Bullets.

Have a look at the 10 steps with photos listed at

https://www.royalenfields.com/2017/1...sic-royal.html

Hope it helps. Meanwhile, here is my new speedometer telling me to get going before dusk sets in. Beware the Evil Eye.