The second time out on my 2003 sherco 250cc and she wont start.
I jammed my wee finger on the edge of the shed door when I was putting her away last time out.

So I blame this for forgeting to turn off my fuel.

Does anyone think this could be the reason she wont start.
She did go for a few seconds and then nothing.
What might I need to do?

Jump starting would be an option tomorrow when it gets light.

If so what gear should I use.

Thanks in advance folks.

Past attempts at bump sarting trials bikes have involved mighty steep hills and 3rd gear. Trials bikes are not the easiest to bump start, high compression, low gearing and no weight on the back wheel are the culprits. Check its not flooded with fuel, take plug out and crank the engine by hand while looking at the plug hole in the head. If you see a fair bit of vapour its flooded. Turn bike upside down, put it in 1st and spin the back wheel till the vapour stops coming from the plug hole. Put bike upright with a new plug in or dry yours out. Do your normal cold starting procedure.

Petrol off. no choke, full throttle, kick. Repeat as required. Should start. Was standard practice in the 60s/early 70s when bikes would "gas up" frequently if they went over in a section.

Take plug out, kick bike over a few times with cut out switch pressed in, heat plug (electrode end) on gas cooker ring or blow torch to burn off excess fuel, clean off with wire brush, put plug back in bike and try starting as normal

Take the plug out, put it in the lead and position it to make sure the spark can earth. Turn the fuel tap off, put the bike in second or third gear and push it about until vapour stops coming out of the plug hole. Clean the plug, put it back in and try to start bike as normal.

But make sure the sparking spark plug and the fuel don't become too friendly

Fire is both friend and foe

Maybe put an alligator clip right on the terminal and connect it direct to ground so ther is no spark jumping a gap

Edited December 6, 201411 yr by 0007

Just man up and kick it till it starts. It's only a 250 and not a 290! Lol

Mine does this if I leav the tap on. I just kick it on full throttle and choke on and it usually goes on the 90 - 100 kick!