97 xplorer 500 no start or very hard to start
 

For the past few months i noticed my bike was getting harder and harder to start. It didn't matter if it was warm or cold. It would backfire out the carb many times before actualy starting. About a month ago i pulled the valve cover thinking the ex lobe on the must be gone. As it turned out it was mostly gone. After saving the money i got a new cam and rocker lever and replaced them. I still have the same problem. It backfires about once every 5 seconds of cranking. it did start twice as i let off the start button. ZIm going nuts thinking about this. I was thinking the cdi could be bad causing advanced timing but i don't have a one to test with. Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks Eli

i know its a dumb question, but did you put the cam in the right and not a totth out or something? did you check to make sure it's getting good spark while cranking?

The flywheel is in time with the crankshaft and the cam is in time with crank. I have a good hot blue spark but im not sure if it's just a bit early because something electrical like the cdi. It did the same thing before the new cam. I just don't understand.

I had the odd back fire and the ATV would not start with the cranking of the electric starter but would start with the pull rope. It turned out to be the pulse coil needed to be cleane and gaped closer to the flywheel.

PS how much is the Cam Job to do, our 97 500 has 7500 miles on it and i,m sure its day will come soon for it to have it done.

Thanks TLC
I thought it looked to be way to far out but i couldn't find any air gap spec. i'll try that in the next few hours. i hope it works. my father in law gave me the money for the cam and rocker lever and i think he's loosing faith in me. till this i could fix anything with a engine.

With mine I just bent it as close as I could without it rubbing the fly wheel. I also had lots of metal filing from gods knows what stuck to the pulse coil's magnetic face.

Thanks again TLC.
She started within to turns of the crank and has power like i haven't seen in months. I couldn't get the flywheel off so i never adjusted it. After reading your post i found a way to get the screws out. Good deal. now i just need a replacement factory muffler.

excellent advice and glad he got you fixed up.