OK, I have got a nice white spark at the plug. Put in a new carb from dr. atv, the old one was in brutal shape. Still won't start or even come particularly close to starting. I always think of starting it in terms of needing three things: 1) fuel 2) spark 3) compression. I think i have the first 2, so that leaves compression? I don't have a comp tester, but when I turned the flywheel to set up the points it felt like it had decent compression. I poured a shot of gas into the top of the carb, did not start that way either. The gas is fresh and the tank rust-free.

Are there any things I am missing here? This trike was purchased as a non-runner with no spark. I was hoping to get it fixed up and running for my kid's b-day in a month but starting to wonder if it really is a dud. Any thoughts appreciated, thanks again guys.

any air leaks??

also clean air filter??

is the choke on or off??

Thanks for the thoughts -
No air leaks, all bolts around carb torqued on spec and all gaskets there. Cleaned air filter. Tried with choke on mostly, but also gave it a couple with choke off.

Triple check your Points /timing. Even a little off and it wont start

Is the plug wet from trying to start it?

Get the piston up close to the top of the stroke ,, Put your finger OVER THE HOLE (Not in the hole) roll the piston up a bit more,,You can tell real quick if it has enough compression.

Sounds like a timing issue to me.

Check woodruff key on the magneto, might have sheared allowing mag to spin out of time.

Adjust the valves!

take the pull starter off and the cam cover and see if the cam chain is real lose amd see if its timed right.

Stand on your head , then try to drink a beer.........














Sorry, just had to do it.....

make sure if you have a kill switch it is working right. Also make sure your carb is not putting out too much fuel and drowning the engine. That is my problem with my boat. Just do a quick service and timing.

Thanks for all the ideas. The answer actually turned out to be 'none of the above' - kind of. There was a small area on the black wire from the kill switch that was exposed and grounding on the frame, but only sometimes. I only found out after I pulled the plug and saw spark, but not everytime. Anyway, I rewired it and all is fine now. She runs. On the plus side, while troubleshooting I got to check out the valves, cam chain, set timing (twice), and doublecheck that the woodruff key was locking into the flywheel. So I'm good on all that stuff.
Thanks again.

Check your muffler bearings.

What? Muffler bearingsl!!! Damn, I've never checked mine......I'd better go down to the shed right away and have a look.....

Also Top Off the Blinker Fluid. Mine is Always low!!