got a stage 1 hotcam for a 400ex. does anyone know if it has to be timed diffrent than factory? and does a cdi have anything to do with a bike not starting?


thanks.

 

More than likely your cam will use the same timing marks as the factory cam. Check your instructions to make sure that it isn't supposed to be installed a few degrees advanced or retarded though I doubt very seriously that it is.

CDI (capacitive discharge ignition) boxes are the heart of your ignition system. WIthout it working properly you won't be going anywhere.

 

Thats what i thought too about the timing. MY bike jus wont start. It did, then cut it off and now nothing but turning over and over. Thanks a lot for the info!!! You have been very helpful to my new coming!!

 

On some engines it is possible to have a camshaft 180 degrees out of time (180out) which causes the valves to open at the wrong time. Most engines won't even try to start though some pop and crack like they are trying.

Here are a couple quick checks to try before digging deeper:

1-pull the plug wire off and use a screwdriver to push up in the end that caps on the plug, hold the metal shaft very close (not touching) to the engine cylinder, then crank the engine. You should see a bright blue spark that may jump across 1/4 inch if you have a good strong spark.

2-Pull the plug out, crank the engine for a few seconds(make sure the gas is turned ON) use a fireplace lighter and stick it at the plug hole while lit. It should give a puff letting you know that you are getting fuel to the cylinder. You can crank the engine and if the lighter will stay lit it should PUFF, PUFF, PUFF everytime the engine draws fuel into the cylinder.

3-If both the other checks work then check your sparkplug. Leave it out of the cylinder and plugged into the plug wire. Make sure the ground electrode (the part that comes out of the threads) is touching the engine cylinder, crank the engine. You should see the same blue spark that you saw when checking it without the plug. If it is a dull yellow replace the plug and try again.

When you rule these things out then it is time to start suspecting that the cam may be installed wrong.