1977 Daimler PUCH Maxi

[moditup]

Hehe yeah.. So when I bought this, the guy started it up. It took him about 6 good kicks, hes about 200 lbs, thats about 60 lbs more than I.

I've been going at it all day and I can't get the sucker to work. After a few good kicks, I can hear compression and it even turns over a few times, but it shudders to a halt. If I feather the throttle a tiny bit I can hear it pick up, but not enough to start. The choke works, so I know that's not the problem.

Where would you guys start?

The guy I bought it from says he cleaned the carb already, but the float needed some adjusting, or a new float/needle altogether.

I'm going to order a service manual soon.

[TheGoodGuy]

i dont know what it is..but there is a fine art to kicking a kickstart bike.

First dont put your weight on it.. actually kick it. Which moves faster. Second press down on the lever a bit and when it stops then kick from there, there is usually a bit of slack on these things..

3rd.. dont flood your engine!

[pantablo]

couple weeks ago I saw a guy kick start a xr650 (set up for street duty). he gently kicked it over a few times then gave it a good kick to actually start it. The first few looked like he was trying to line stuff up inside or prep it somehow...

[indestructibleman]

in the manual for my old honda, it recommended turning the kill switch to off and kicking it a couple of times to prime the carbs.
then you turn the switch to run and give it a kick to start it.  kick starting is fun.

cheers,
will

[moditup]

kick starting is fun.

..and tiring, in my case.

[SPARKPLUG1977]

Try all that stuff. All of my kickstart bikes start with one soft kick to suck up some gas and one hard kick to start. I am a skinny guy so weight isn't the problem.  The guy who sold it to you may have used the old "spray ether into the carbs before the guy who is buying it gets here" trick.  If all else fails get a can of ether (starting fluid). If it's a runner it will start.  If that is the only way it will start, there is a deeper problem. Try cleaning the carbs and look into the intake to see if there is junk.
Good Luck

[moditup]

Just to clarify, this is a moped, so when I say kick, I mean pedal. I probably should have mentioned that. When I'm starting it, I'll stand on a pedal and do a little hop so my weight pushes everything down.

[SPARKPLUG1977]

wow! a pedal?....huh :dunno:

skip steps 1-10 go right for the ether.

[TheGoodGuy]

ahh pedals...

does it have a "clutch" on the left side.. that needs to be released to start it? usually under the left bar.

If so take it off the stands, start pedaling it pull the clutch and release it, it should fire..

alternatively put it on center stand - shift weight so rearwheel is free, pedal with lever pulled and release it.. it should fire.

I wish i was in LA, i love old school mopeds..

[moditup]

'should' is the key word there.. I think it's going to need some heavy cleaning before anything happens. My goal is to get it to start in a reasonably short amount of pedals.

[Blueknyt]

with mopeds, you pedel forward to pedel bike, then pedel backwards to start the engine. at least the ones ive seen.  ok,   clean and regap the breaker points, make sure your coil and plug are in good condition for conducting the spark, this would also include a the capacitor on the points.

from this point its time to clean the carb and tank, and mix the fuel to correct ratio. i dont like oil injection, i generaly block the ports off and premix. dont use too much choke when trying to start, few kicks, one kick with choke if needed, then turn choke off.  them little 2 strokers get cranky and flood easy.

[moditup]

Yeah, the engine floods a lot.

[straightforward]

moditup,

the first thing I would do is to take out the spark plug and see what it looks like, right after not having fired after several kicks. I can envision 2 likely scenarios:

1. it's wet... way too much gas?... try no choke, maybe more (up to full?) throttle when kicking. If this does not help, try checking existance of spark by taking spark plug off and holding plug (with cable on) against engine... wearing thick gloves is adviseable, ignition is REAL HIGH voltage!

2. it's dry... not enough gas?... the starter spray, as suggested by others, might give you a clue - if it starts with it, you will have to check the carb, if not, maybe the ignition is worthwhile going after.

In any case, as the Puchs are produced where I live, I would assume that I can get you inexpensive 2nd hand spare parts without significant problems. Lemme know if I can help.

P.S.: My kids did have a Maxi. Usually, it started at the 1st kick.