Had similar issues with my 1970 XLCH, a beast to start! Mine needs a new generator and/or alternator I believe. It is in long storage for now though...Will follow your channel to see how you get on!
@@jimmypagezoso244 thanks for the compliment! I'm not an expert since I'm still working on the whole "getting her running" part but I can always share what I know to help you out.
If you don’t hear it coughing/barking/backfiring within like 10 kicks, don’t waste your time. I kicked my 69 to death trying to get it started. It needed a new condenser and proper timing. Go back to the basics and recheck point and plug gaps, timing, etc… you got this
The engine is wet-sumped, you can hear it. Pull the plugs and kick it until oil stops coming out of the breather tube in the crankcase (with an oil pan underneath). Then you have to check all the basics because it isn't even popping. Are you getting fuel squirting in the carb when you twist the throttle? Are the plugs sparking when you kick it? If no to either, figure out why. Then go back and check the timing, and make sure that your pushrods are properly adjusted.
@@jerryjackson5939 Thanks for stopping by, truly. I've actually watched most of your vids as I've been working on this thing just to keep my spirits up. The pile of kitty litter under the bike is hiding a pool of oil from my wife (forgot the oil pan 🤦🏽♂️). I've got fuel squirting, but I don't have spark with the mag on or off the bike, even after using a drill to spin it. I've got a new one coming that's hopefully full of sparks that it wants to share.
@@jerryjackson5939 no. I originally thought it was the coil but I've replaced that, the condenser, the points, and the grounding terminal assembly to no avail.
@@averageguyadventures my 1959 XLCH magneto wouldn't spark and it ended up being something grounding to the stud where the wire attaches to for the handlebar button to kill the mag.
@@jerryjackson5939 if this new magneto doesn't change my situation then checking my wiring is the next step. I rewired the bike by just attaching new lengths to old and then pulling the old out so I have the new routed the same way. I moved my handlebar kill switch wire to a new two way switch by the regulator so it's on my list of suspects, too. I'm thinking eventually I'll figure it out but it's frustrating as all get out.
Eventually. Episodes 1-7 had me optimistic. By episode 8 I found this bike was seriously damaging my calm. Just know that there is behind the scenes tinkering, and I'm still plowing ahead. Slowly.
Had similar issues with my 1970 XLCH, a beast to start! Mine needs a new generator and/or alternator I believe. It is in long storage for now though...Will follow your channel to see how you get on!
Thanks for the encouragement. Good to know I'm not the only one out there in a love/hate relationship with these things.
Hey there! Loved watching this series man. I recently acquired a vintage xlch and had some questions if you had the time. Thanks for your time!
@@jimmypagezoso244 thanks for the compliment!
I'm not an expert since I'm still working on the whole "getting her running" part but I can always share what I know to help you out.
Awesome! I appreciate that. Do you happen to have a TH-cam channel email that I contact you through?
If you don’t hear it coughing/barking/backfiring within like 10 kicks, don’t waste your time. I kicked my 69 to death trying to get it started. It needed a new condenser and proper timing. Go back to the basics and recheck point and plug gaps, timing, etc… you got this
Thanks.
I'm slowly working my way through all the suspects, usual and otherwise.
The engine is wet-sumped, you can hear it. Pull the plugs and kick it until oil stops coming out of the breather tube in the crankcase (with an oil pan underneath). Then you have to check all the basics because it isn't even popping. Are you getting fuel squirting in the carb when you twist the throttle? Are the plugs sparking when you kick it? If no to either, figure out why.
Then go back and check the timing, and make sure that your pushrods are properly adjusted.
@@jerryjackson5939 Thanks for stopping by, truly.
I've actually watched most of your vids as I've been working on this thing just to keep my spirits up.
The pile of kitty litter under the bike is hiding a pool of oil from my wife (forgot the oil pan 🤦🏽♂️).
I've got fuel squirting, but I don't have spark with the mag on or off the bike, even after using a drill to spin it.
I've got a new one coming that's hopefully full of sparks that it wants to share.
@@averageguyadventures did you have spark before changing the parts in the mag?
@@jerryjackson5939 no.
I originally thought it was the coil but I've replaced that, the condenser, the points, and the grounding terminal assembly to no avail.
@@averageguyadventures my 1959 XLCH magneto wouldn't spark and it ended up being something grounding to the stud where the wire attaches to for the handlebar button to kill the mag.
@@jerryjackson5939 if this new magneto doesn't change my situation then checking my wiring is the next step.
I rewired the bike by just attaching new lengths to old and then pulling the old out so I have the new routed the same way. I moved my handlebar kill switch wire to a new two way switch by the regulator so it's on my list of suspects, too.
I'm thinking eventually I'll figure it out but it's frustrating as all get out.
XLCH Episode 9?
Eventually.
Episodes 1-7 had me optimistic.
By episode 8 I found this bike was seriously damaging my calm.
Just know that there is behind the scenes tinkering, and I'm still plowing ahead.
Slowly.
Turn the camera off it will start first kick 😂 My 63 was a pain in the @$$ . My buddies would wait until mine started before starting theirs
@@scottlofton2607 believe me, if I could get her going I'd make a promise to all that's holy that I'd never take another picture or video of her.