Hey guys aprilia starting issue, please help

Hi guys , need some help please.
i decided to get an old scooter to learn about bikes, so i picked up an 04 aprilia atlantic 125 for cheap,.. the guy i bought it from could not get it started, i got it home, with a new battery, and after about 4 tries, it started .. but it didnt idle well at all and eventually cut out, i got it started 2 more times.. but for the last 2 weeks it will NOT start !

so, i replaced the fuel and fuel filter, flushed the tank, got a new coil, ht lead and sparkplug and seem to have a spark, i took off the carb and cleaned it with carb cleaner, i blew through the jets, inspected the diaphragm etc, cant see anything wrong, the fuel bowl float seems to be working ok, but still WONT start ??
i seem to be getting fuel to the carb, but im unsure if its enough as ive never owned a bike before,

when i inspect the sparkplug after trying to start, its not wet, it smell a little of fuel, but im thinking its not getting enough ??

all i seem to be doing now is running the battery down and constantly recharging it

the engine seems to be turning over and somtimes sounds like it might start but never does..

any help would be GREATLY appreciated ..
cheers rob

 

Check the valve clearances...........

 

cheers mate, do i have to replace the rocker cover gasket if i do this ?
thanks rob

 

It should be okay, it will probably be an o ring type seal or very thick gasket, will be fine to reuse unless it is torn or damaged aas its not under much pressure

 

ok so i did the valve clearances, brought it to as TDC as poss, but still did not start
i did notice when i took the spark plug out this time, that when i cranked it, i saw a fine mist of fuel coming out the spark plug hole, so i reckon its getting enough fuel now.. but somethings still wrong.. getting stumped now

 

Chuck a bit of fuel down the plughole and see if it tries to run for a few seconds. Do you have access to a compression tester?

 

Thanks Nathanael
i tried that before but the hole is too small and inaceccable but yesterday i found a syringe from my fish tank chemicals pack, so il try that if the overnight charge dosent get it started,

i guess i take plug out, squirt in a spoonfull or so of petrol, quickly screw the plug back in then try to start it ?
and no, i have no compression tester, il need to buy a kit, is one of the cheap £15 kits ok ?
cheers rob

 

perfect

 

i tried the petrol in the cylinder, but it didnt work...
unless im mistaken,when cranking it over, the exhaust seems to be sucking air in .....why would this be guys ??

worth noting, i currently have the air filter off
cheers rob

 

If it was, that would indicate that the cam sprocket would need rotated 360 degrees then the cam chain/belt reattached.If the exhaust seems to be sucking air in is it blowing OUT of the carb as well?

 

im not sure its sucking air in the exhaust..if it is, its just a tad

i dont see how the cam can need turning round as i have not touched it, as to the carb blowing air, i have no idea, how would i check ?
i can tell you that with the sparkplug out, air is coming from the sparkplug hole/ cylinder, enough compression to blow my finger out the hole .

i just did the valve adjustment as close to TDC as i could get, cant find any marks or a manual worth a shit,
i only adjusted intake from 0.5 to 0.10 and exhaust manifold from 0.20 to 0.15, so it cant be anything ive done, i adjusted it beacause the bike has failed to start
cheers rob

 

im getting NOWHERE with this bike

 

If it ran before and you havent touched the cam sprocket or chain that is that eliminated then. If there isnt even a hint of it trying to fire with plenty of fuel in the cylinder then that points to a spark problem. Do you still have the original coil ht lead and plug to try? Try just the old plug at first then the other items. Are all wire connections clean and free from corrosion.

 

thanks nathanael, it DID run before, but it was really hard to start, and didnt idle,
i do still have the old stuff, il give it a go and get back to you, and no, i never touched the sprocket or anything, but i did clean the carb as it wouldnt start, but i was carefull
cheers rob