Please help engine not starting

[knohbody]

Was going to pick up a friend from the mechanic today and when I got there, ironically enough, it wouldn't start... I had probs starting it earlier when i was leaving, but didn't think much about it as it was kinda chilly out. Before i go any further, it's a 1978 standard xs1100. Well, i figured it was just the battery, because I hadn't started it in two weeks. So i took the battery out and brought it back to my dorm room to charge it up. Five hours later, I go to start it up, and it's still hard to start. It's warm enough outside and the spark plug wires are fine, couldn't much test anything else tho. If i opened the choke up all the way, it would start, but only for a couple of seconds, then die. It would also issue a moderate amount of white smoke(not like a big cloud or anything, just a bit) It was low on oil, so i put some in (about a quart, because i'm broke ). It was making odd clunking noises at low rpms near the rear wheel....
any ideas?
i'll be away for a couple of days but will check back on monday...
thanks in advance
Oh yeah, one of the spark plugs is cross threaded, so it's not running on all cylinders.(one of the many things i plan on fixing soon)

[nwilley]

Hi
Are you sure you are getting enough gas? If it barely starts on choke, it sounds as if there isn't enought gas getting to the cylinders. Just guessing here, but these are fairly simple machines; gas, spark, fuel mixture/carb balance...if these are OK then it should fire.

Keep working at it! And keep asking questions!


Norm

[Bud Manley]

mine runs like crap every morning. Open choke all the way till it starts and ease it back in about half way then just wait.
My starter button only wors once in a while too. Not sure why but sometimes it just takes a few seconds before it kicks in. I'ma redo the elctrical this winter.
GL

[knohbody]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies guys. Hopefully I'll be able to get down there and check it out today (it's a long walk from here), and get it sorted out.