Hi,
I have a 1987 xlh883 that i am trying desperately to get running and have run into a road block. I've drained the fuel and filled with new, I've replaced the battery, plugs, cables, and coil, and still cannot get it to turn over. When I press the ignition switch, the bike cranks and tries to turn over, but nothing. It won't even start when I use starting fluid. I don't think that the front plug is even getting spark. I'm not very mechanically inclined, so I don't know if this matters, but I put gumout in the tank to clean the carb. The bike was given to me awhile ago and has been sitting, and i don't know how long it was sitting before that. I'm at an impasse. I would appreciate any help that anyone can give. Thanks!

 

Well, you need three things to have a motor run. Gas, air, and spark. I would start by pulling a plug, turn over the motor and see if you are getting spark. Then smell the plugs to see if you are getting gas into the cylinders. If so, and you are getting air thru the intake, it should run. If not, find out which you are not getting, and go from there. Good luck Man.

 

UPDATE- Both plugs are getting spark, however the front plug was dry. Going to clean the carb.

 

If it has spark, it should do something when you spray starting fluid in the carb. Are you getting fuel to the carb? If you twist the throttle you should hear gas being squirted into the carb with the accelerator pump.