1962 A10 GF Kick Back on trying to start up

[Terryb]

Hopefully this is the correct forum. My 62 A10 won't easily start, keeps kicking back when giving a fist full of throttle. I have started it on a number of occasions, even though she's kicked like a mule and she seems to run OK.

OK, she's been extensively refurbished and I'm now at the commissioning stage. Main problem won't start and I am fearful that the automatic A/R unit may be the cause of kicking back. The A/R Unit is stiff and the timing adjustment doesn't  fly backward or forwards easily, don't know why. I have set the timing using a clock gauge and timing light at fully advanced. So I'm confident she is timed correctly, but when you close up the Primary Case, I'm not sure the A/F bob Weights are doing their job, because they are stiff.

I have the old A/R unit, but I cannot get the centre bolt out to put the washer with the two locking holes back on, otherwise I would swap them around.

Any idea's lads?

[CheeserBeezer]

The ATD will feel stiff when it's fitted because of all the friction in the magneto. If you move it to its fully advanced position it probably won't flick back on its own. However, when you gently move the kickstart to turn the engine over you'll see the ATD close to its retarded position. I assume you wedged the ATD in its advanced position when setting the timing; if you didn't, that would cause the kickback. Other kickback culprit is weak mixture. If the bike is set up properly it should be started from cold on closed throttle with choke on full. On first starting a new engine I usually set the tickover screw so that the throttle slide is completely closed then turn the throttle stop screw up about a quarter of a turn after each kick until the bike fires. Set the idle air screw 1 1/2 turns out initially.

[Joolstacho]

So why are you trying to start it with "a fistful of throttle"? That's pretty well guaranteed to kick back on you! Try closed throttle or just a 'crack' of throttle.

[sean]

has the mag been rebuilt ?
where did you set the timing btdc ?
does it idle and run ok once started  ?
was the carb rebuilt ?