The belt on my scrambler 400 2-stroke went bad. I had to be towed home. When I got home the bike started but the belt would not catch. I waited about a month then tried to start it again, it wouldn't fire. Would the belt have anything to do with the ignition timing.

 

It shouldn't. Try this. Shut off the gas. Drain the carb (the little screw on the bottom just above the drain tube). Put in some fresh gas. Open the fuel valve. Install a new spark plug (NGK far and away the best). It should start right up if the battery is good. If the battery seems weak, the pull cord may start it when the battery won't. I think it is because the starter takes all the electricity & there isn't enough left for the ignition.

If you only try one of the suggestions, make it the spark plug change.

 

The starter went out about a year ago, I have been pull starting it. thanks for the suggestion

 

Mine wouldn't start either, I tore everything apart twice, the carb, reeds, all the way to the piston & here the plug was bad. I felt like an idiot. Always check the simple stuff first. I used the same plug for 3 years so I never had any experience w/ plugs going bad. Good luck.