won't start :(

[jazzrat2000]

I am a newbie to mechanics... today I replaced the valve cover gasket, and was feeling proud of myself until I got it all back together and tried to start it... no go! as far as I know there is only one thing I changed... I put the fuel lines back on the tank, turned the gas on both sides, attached the gas warning light... but I found one of the two tubes that lead to the air filter from the carb area unhooked (the other was connected) and plugged it in like the other side was... could this have made it so gas cannot get to the engine somehow? the bike turns over great, I tried the choke(no help), but I don't want to run the battery down any more until I figure this out... it doesn't seem to be getting any gas.

[randy]

Try using PRIME for the first few minutes

[jazzrat2000]

tried PRIME, I can definitely smell gas now, but no fire...

[jazzrat2000]

on the good side, as long as it doesn't run the oil leak I was trying to fix will be no problem...

[jazzrat2000]

do you suppose I should take the tank off again and unplug the hose I hooked up?

[John]

Yes, take it off again, but check for any disconnected/ broken wiers, especially those leading to the coils. Check the wires to the ballast resistor. It's the little silver metal component attached to the right side frame rail. I know it is bypassed in the crank mode, but...
Also check the tip over switch. It is right there in the area that you were working in. You can find it by looking for a device that has the word 'UP' written on it.

[jazzrat2000]

thanks, John, I will look for all of that! I never knew there was a tip switch!

[jazzrat2000]

I do remember the tip switch.. the rubber strap holding it in is broken, but I just clipped it back into the clip, I thought it was holding it that way... maybe it slipped off when I was wrestling with the tank... I could easily have put it in upside down, which might be the whole problem, eh? I love detective stories! (at least the ones I solve!!!)...

[randy]

Doc,

Unplug it

[jazzrat2000]

will do! Is there a reason one is plugged in and the other isn't?

[John]

Originally posted by jazzrat2000
will do! Is there a reason one is plugged in and the other isn't?

One what?

[jazzrat2000]

when I took the tank off I noticed one of the rubber tubes from the carbs to the air cleaner was hooked up, one wasn't... I hooked the loose one up before I put the tank back on... and he is telling me to unhook the one that was loose again...

[John]

No, no. He's (Randy) telling you to unplug the tip over switch. When it tips over, it grounds the ignition, therefor killing it. Leave the carb vent tube connected. Just for s#!ts n' giggles, make sure the port (nipple) in the airbox is open to the inside of the airbox.

[randy]

NO no no

I'm saying unplug the tip-over switch to eliminate it from the ignition circuit.

You don't have to do anything fancy to eliminiate it, just unplug it.

[jazzrat2000]

you guys are great! I will have to wait until tomorrow to report back, got some homework papers to grade (I need to retire, so I can spend my time on the good stuff, like wrestling with this motorcycle! I am getting very good at putting it on its centerstand, if that is worth anything)...