I don't think I've shouted at a screen so much! You diagnosed a weak spark. Fuel was getting through because the plug was wet, also indicating a no-spark problem. So you then checked for wiring faults. Then you wanted to check the alternator/ignitor. Then you adjusted the timing, and it was downhill from there! You completely forgot about the weak spark and checked valve gaps, compression, valve lifters, carburetion, jet sizes, float hight... non of which would solve a weak spark which you had already discovered. Weak spark could be a failing coil. I'm only at 35min mark, so hopefully you'll find it. Enjoying your work. 👍

Okay Joe, I’m going to chime in as well….. I’m a 63 year old gal and been following you a long while, I’ve enjoyed watching you along the way- I grew up in my dads engine shop- saying that because Dad always said, The engine needs “spark” “air” and “fuel” to run. You realized this bike had very weak spark! BAM!!! Your answer- wondering why you didn’t work on that before doing everything else that had nothing to do with spark? At any rate- love what you do, love seeing these bikes come back alive. Keep doing what you love but don’t over think 😊

100% weak spark. Get rid of those HOUSEHOLD wire nuts, solder those joints, check your COIL ground, double check OHM on the stator and STOP MESSING AROUND!! You KNOW what it is Joe!! That thing should be THROWING blue flames!! SPARK SPARK SPARK!!!

That Husaberg is a relic of motorcycle history. 70 degree motor started the line of the best balanced bikes ever made for dirt.

Fix the electric starter will speed diagnoses up and replace the rectifier and solder those wires, remove any twist connectors in the system.

I used to ride old huskys and the best way I found to start left hand kick high compression bikes was to stand on a block and to bring bike to top of the stroke then kick hard I felt horrible watching you kick that old bike ....I am 50 and I love watching you repair old bikes have A great day from eatonville wa

As someone who has owned one of these beasts, there is a VERY specific sequence to follow to get it to cold-start off the kicker. 1. Make sure the carb is clean, and you have spark. The stronger the spark, the better. Fuel on, choke plunger out. 2. Pull in the decompression lever. Kick the bike through about 5-6 times. This primes the circuits in the carburetor. 3. Kick through until you feel the piston coming up on the compression stroke. Pull the decompression lever, kick thru until you _just_ feel the engine go through TDC. 4. THIS IS THE MOST IMPORTANT STEP. Roll the throttle open all the way, hold it there for about a second, then release it. This puts a shot of fuel into the intake from the accelerator pump. 5. Get braced, and kick the bike over with EVERYTHING you've got. Don't touch the throttle all while kicking. If the bike doesn't fire, repeat steps 4 and 5. These bikes were pretty lean on the pilot jet, and the choke doesn't give it enough fuel to really fire over cold. So you're using the accelerator pump in the carb to shoot in some fuel.

These piles of junk were never popular in the UK, always pigs to start, too heavy and unreliable. At an event of maybe 200 to 250 entries you’d be lucky to see a single one. Typically it was a sea of orange KTM’s, a few Honda’s and some WR’s. If you are going to go racing pick a bike that will start and finish the event.

The first thing I would do is get rid of those wire nuts and solder the connections.

That weak inconsistent spark is probably the problem

That SEM ignition has always been a problem, Husqvarna used them and husaberg is just a Husqvarna after the engineers started their own company. Ditch the stock ignition for aftermarket and the bike will run like new. That's actually a great bike once the ignition is replaced. Common issues on all Husqvarna and Husabergs of those years. SEM ignition sucks, sometimes works, most time doesn't

It won't start because it has a weak spark. It is so frustrating watching you find the problem and then ignore it.

You said it at least a dozen times "weak spark". When you have to turn out the lights to see a spark on the plug it's not good. You have compression and fuel so the only thing left is spark. I'm sure you'll figure it out but source a starter motor or the only thing you'll be riding is a wheelchair.

Had a similar problem with a Husky. Coil ground! Looked good but after a good wire brushing on the frame and coil it would fire up first kick every time.

Solder wire connections, check electrical continuity, stator, spark plug wire & coil.

😂The ending, "if you can come start it you can have it". Man that got me😄. I could just picture a line of guys out the garage warming up there kicking leg with one moto X boot on😂. If and WHEN someone shows up to try you gotta get it on video. I have a feeling atleast a couple are going to hit you up.

i have had a few husabergs and they are known for having stator problems change the stator an it will fire up :-)

I owned one of these, the stator is the problem, you have to get it rewired & it will start no problem. They will be running one minute, you will turn it off and they will not start again. The stator has packed it in. Late model ones has Japanese electrics which improved them greatly. I used to have a spare stator sitting on the shelf ready to go. Hope this helps.

The SEM can act up for sure..Iridium plug, swap the carb for a FCR..put Motul 300v 15/60 in the motor and you have a bike that will blow your mind😎

Pushing a non-running dirtbike uphill is the motorcycling equivalent of the Walk of Shame

This is by far my favourite channel. Good job for persisting Joe!

You can see where the previous owner was chasing his tail working on the spark problem, try removing the stator and insulating the wires that are up against the housing that have no insulation, or get a new stator.

one electrical component that is often overlooked, but prone to failure, and cheapest to fix would be the spark plug cap. i have had a few vintage bikes without spark where the cap was the issue. ive gotten into the habit of just yanking the cap and checking for spark with the bare coil wire.

Great video as always Joe, I am amazed by your persistence! I know all too well the feeling of wanting to throw a bike down a cliff! But you totally got this one, if you don't start it nobody can! You know much more than I do, but I'd just mention my feeling is that the weak spark issue you identified is the culprit. It is not uncommon for dying stators to spark outside of the cylinder but lose spark under compression. Your stator does not look very good, it seems to show signs of corrosion/humidity. Probably will start right up with a replacement stator. If that does not work, maybe check for the resistance of the electric cables: last winter I worked on a 1962 motobecane with weak spark not starting that two shops had not been able to fix, and found out it had a wire corroded internally (with no external signs of damage) making a very high resitance and eating the spark out...

The motor is a 470 which is the high performance moto version with 13 to 1 compression and will start better with race gas. The 400 and 501 were the Enduro motors. The starter is weak and battery small for the engine. I would replace the battery with a bigger CCA one and use the decompression lever to get it spinning easier with the starter. The FCR carb makes it start and run better.

This is a good example of a machine that can explain why many GenX dirt bike riders, myself included, stick with our 2 strokes. Starting some of the earlier "performance" oriented 4 strokes was a hassle on the best of days.

This reminded me a little of that Kids In The Hall episode where the car won't start. So they wash the windshield and spray paint it red to try to get it to start lol. Joe seems like a genius, far too sharp to not follow the spark. Hey, content creators have to create content.

The old bump start is the final signs of desperation!😂😂😂 spark is the problem no doubt!! Get back on it Joe!! Dammit!!

A few things to look at for weak spark, Check all your grounds, battery to frame,frame to engine, the coil and regulator /rectifier, maybe been mounted back over painted or rusted frame, kill switch wire maybe grounding out somewhere, bad coil lead to plug, plug cap cracked. pick up coil in stator not seated correctly.bad cable connectors, bad wires from the stator to connector, they sometimes disintegrate with heat and age, test your coil. good luck

one thing to try is if it has a light switch, turn lights off. if it doesn't have a switch then un plug headlight and tail light as they try to turn on when you kick it. if you have them disabled that will be more energy going to ignition while kicking.

I never thought there could come a bike that you can't fix and / or give up on it. It's sad to watch when such a positive calm person like you loses the spirit to continue. Just go for a walk with Vinnie and continue with a new project. All the best

Get one of the 20$ china coil , cdi , 4 wires , mag style , or 12 volt ,you only need the trigger , if it dosent spark then , try to install some other trigger , weak spark get killed by compression . Kohler makes a spark checker that simulates what compression does ( jump a bigger gap), Great content ! Don't give up !

35:08 now your chasing your own tail by going back to fuel. The new plug is soaked in fuel. You don’t have a fuel issue. It’s coming down to that faint spark.

OHM THE STATOR!!! YOU ALREADY SHOWED THAT YOU HAVE NO SPARK AND WEAK SPARK. DID YOU FORGET YOU BOUGHT A BATTERY???

I think revisit the coil and cdi...check the coil ground cdi values through stator and by itself coil also.....that spark is just not there or consistent enough .....

I guess you didn’t read my comment on your last Husaberg video. I spent a full year understanding the exact same issue you have here. The root cause is the marginal SEM ignition. Even when new they were troublesome. Add 20 years and undoubtedly a few minor engine issues, and you’ve got no chance. Either replace the ignition with a rebuilt unit, or with an aftermarket set, or adapt something from a much later model. You can do as many compression tests as you wish, but if you monitor for the presence of a spark every time you kick the bike, the true problem will become obvious. Still, it’s entertaining to watch you fumble around.

Add a relay power mod and run power straight from the battery to the coils.

You generate more complete, educational content than any other channel out there! Appreciate your effort sir!

Dont give up! its clearly a spark issue, fix that electric start so itll be way easier on your leg, get rid of the wire nuts and fix the weak spark.

Hi 2Vintage, Thanks for the great vids your a great mechanic, I've been watching for about a year, I'm 60 now and rode dirt bikes when I was younger, I haven't ridden in a long time and really miss it, so videos like yours are great, If you lived closer I'd come over and help you for free, but I live to far, I just have some suggestions on the Husaberg, First put it aside for a couple weeks or a month and get back to it, time to think about it will help, Is there any chance you can fix the electric start so you don't have to kick it? Good job checking everything over and ruling out what isn't the problem, I really think you have a spark/ignition issue, Please go over the whole electrical system to test whats good or bad with voltmeter when you have time; cdi box, rectifier, stator output (AC), coil , check If coil has a good ground to the frame, I saw another vid online where that caused a big problem, yes another commenter mentioned please replace the wire nuts with removeable bullet crimp connectors or something like that, did you pull the spark plug boot off the high tension wire like I've seen you do lately on other bikes to check the high tension wire and the boot? If the cdi box is fried and parts aren't available from Husaberg, you may be able to get a generic cdi box online for low cost, also the kill switch and key switch that they aren't shorting out, Don't Quit !! Thanks John from Ohio

Change the damn coil dude its broken down gives some spark but not enough. If you would ohm test your stator you would know immediately if the stator was bad. dont know why you did all that other stuff and waste time if you had weak spark to begin with

Just a thought, When you had it partially firing on every kick maybe go the other way with the timing as it clearly got worse altering it the right way ;)

By the way, I really love your videos. I wasn’t being sarcastic. I admire your patience and method and I also respect that you published this video too. That’s cool to see. Because my threshold for frustration is so low I rely on folks like you. My son and I watch your videos a lot. 🤘

Definitely need to put on a new stator and/or cdi box. Your values were lower than they should've been. If it's only sparking when it spins over fast that is definitely a stator or cdi box issue. I've had this similar issue on a few bikes i've worked on and the fix was a new stator and/or cdi box. Love your videos btw! Don't give up!

If your spark is weak, it will spark when you have the plug out, but the compression will blow the spark out, could be why you get it to run occasionally as it will go when it hits mix sweet spot. Go over the wiring properly get rid of all the bad connections and re-check your readings on the stator and coil. Electrical work isnt a dark art if it looks right it tends to work right if it looks shit it is shit.

SEM ignitions were a failure point and you cannot buy replacements.I have a 87 Husqvarna 510. Same issue. Very weak spark if any. Replaced with Vape ignition and now I have a very strong spark and the bike starts 2nd to 3rd kick. Left kickers are no joke!!! But when you can get a thumper to run. Lots of power...

I’m glad to see you’re human and not every bike is a home run. It makes me feel better when I give up on a project lol.

It is quite possible that the weak spark is caused by an ignition component on the way to complete failure. A manual showing the required range of ohm and voltage readings of the various components would have been a great help.

Flow of this one was confusing. No spark detected with plug out. Next steps was to check timing and compression? Wouldnt you want to get a spark first?

In sweden all change to iridium spark plugs. That made them easy to start.

I'd go with stator coil continuity and earth/resistance check first, if all is good go to the next electrical part in line like the ignition coil. As many say weak spark is the issue, not the timing. Hope you will find the culprit of the no spark issue!🤞🏻

Dont give up !!!! You recognised it has weak spark but failed to fully check the sytem.... go to coil... test coil.... Dont underestimate your ability...

My best guess is spark because I worked on a lt250r that would start randomly and then die. Spark was weak but there. I looked at the stator and the pickup coil was broken. A new stator and coil fixed it.

try to take inch off the sparkplugs caple . it likes to corrode over time. the sparkplug cover also sometimes like to corroe inside.

Thanks for the video. I've bought many used bikes, and the one you bought was the biggest pain ever. I heard early Husaberg were prone to top end engine failure due to oil starvation, so when these are advertised at a low price, you know why.

I admire your patience and loved watching you try to problem solve. Liked and subscribed!

No way I would kick start that thing in the garage, if I could jump it off a car battery.

You're starting it cold, once it runs, it warms up to some degree, then dies and won't restart. Like others have stated, perhaps a bad stator, but what about those janky wire nut connections? Something heats up just enough to cause an open? I would touch every electrical connection. Remove, thoroughly clean, and reattach. Connectors, ground points, all ignition related connections, everything. Just because it 'looks perfect', doesn't mean it always is. Check all fuse connections, as well as switch contact points, cleaning, and dielectric grease, as needed.

Excellent work, you are a very good technician and make it look easy. You are very inspiring and make me feel more confident to fix my own motorcycles. Great videos, keep up the good work.

You should make yourself a good stable stand that clamps the bike in, and then get a wheel starter and save on your knees and mind 👍

You got it started earlier when you bump started, since then you have messed with the stator, maybe try rolling it back to where it was and see if it starts easily when you bump start it, if it does then try adjusting it the other way. I am sure it's very finicky with the stator alignment, and I would also question those cams a bit too.

How about you put together a portable starter motor like they have in F1. Like a car starter with a fitting that will fit the shift gear/shaft. You could have a little stand too. Then you could have a 12 volt car battery, and hit a button and turn the engine over as much as you want.

Remove decompression mechanism on the cam. Get to tdc and kick slightly past tdc release kickstart and then give it a big kick.

You need to invest in a rear wheel bike starter that spins the back wheel to start the engine.

the only thing that could be bad is the stator i cant think of anything else .. man you went trought the whole bike 😅 i admire the patience you have to work on this if it was me i would drive this thing into a lake and never look back 😂😂😂

I’m still watching this episode and I haven’t seen the conclusion yet. Usually you are very methodical in your process. This episode, however, you proved to yourself that you lost spark, then you chased timing, and valve adjustment and compression?? None of those will create or negate spark. I’m still waiting to see you check the kill switch and the spark plug lead.

I have faced a similar problem. When all was said and done it was a bad stator.

Hey man, I owned this bike years ago with very similar issue. The dealer made adjustments several times and after 5th time of taking it back he removed the kick starter and moved its positioning ever so slightly. Fixed the issue that it was good enough to ride for a bit then sell. Give it a try and good luck man. Great channel.

The kickmaster strikes gold again.😂😂😂

Welcome to my world. Once you think you've completed a job, POW needs a little more tinkering. You have the patience and knowledge, mostly the patience. Cute little battery

2vintage i have owned 3 husaberg 2 of the same models as you`re 1 and they have all been a total pain in the butts to start even the 1 with a full rebuild,, all left hand kick start bikes are a pain,, but there is a kit you can get for $400 that turns them into electric starts and work great its what i did to all of mine and started fine after doing it..

Noooooo. Don't give up! There are a bunch of how to videos online showing you the start procedure. Don't you have a spare motor? Grab the stator off that. Maybe try disconnecting all lights and electronics not part of the ignition circuit. The stator should have two separate windings (one for ignition and one for lights). Lights shouldn't run off the ignition circuit. Once it's flooded you have to wait it out. If it doesn't fire after a couple kicks try again later.

I can imagine the last words to riders from the pit crew before taking off.. "What ever you do, don't stall it!"

This bike give a pretty good work out just trying to start the thing. A dirt bike that is cardio and strength enhancing.

4 Srokes suck!!! I've rebuilt my 2000 CR250 3 times since I bought it Brand new. J&N innovations Suspension the bike has literally never let me down I'm 57 and still race OTHG on the GFI / AMP circuit and refuse to buy a 4 stroke. Love your videos keep em comin.

I agree with everyone. Its gotta be the stator. Have you pulled the flywheel to see if you spun the keyway? Another off the wall shot is the bike was rebuilt. Maybe the piston is backwards. Cut all the wires back, solder them together. Trim the plug boot for sure.

i might be wrong, but how does "kicking harder" make stronger spark if there is battery connected. Generated electricity from rotor goes to battery and from battery to coil to plug to generate spark. So my guess is something between battery and plug, maybe a ignition coil?

*(Look up TCI VS CDI)* Well... I know some Models of Bikes Don't like to Start with kick Start when battery is "Stone dead" TCI System. As in Low to no Spark. And When Battery is Low They don't like to run right. Replace battery and they are Good. or Check for spark again with the Jumpers on her. You Charged the battery up a slight amount... So this is why it worked for a bit. "TCI takes a good amount more power from the charging system to power the spark plug in order to provide a longer and more powerful spark" I see you got a new Battery , i did not Watch the Full video.(Yet) i am sure you talked about this already.,

My leg hurts just watching you 😂 I grew up with left kick dirt bikes my 74 Husqvarna CR400 ,87 KTM MX250 , and My 90 KTM MX 500 I was use to kicking left kick bikes,wish I still had them, great videos like always keep up the good work 👍 your ACES in My Book.

I'm no mechanic but love watching your stuff.When you adjusted the stator counterclockwise, you had it flipped so when put back on the adjustment was actually clockwise?

Check for a nest in the exhaust. Its been sitting for 9 years. Make sure the exhaust pipes are clear of debris.

Bad spark, it'll never crank easily until you get solid blue fire.

Back in the day, I had a 2000 FC501. It was really fast in a straight line and could do endless wheelies! Unfortunately, had the same problem with it not starting and found out that it was the stator. 6 months later and 2 more stator replacements AND multiple fork seals, I’d had enough and just traded it for a Honda CR250 and left the European bikes alone.

dont give up on that bike joe! you have come to far, i know you can fix it, you got this!

Worst motorcycle ever made? Bro have u ever heard of chinese bikes? Lol

This bike should of came with a complimentary tube of Bengay for your poor knee, I give you credit!

I know the frustration of a no start big bore bike. Been working on a 2004 CRF450R for a while now. Replaced bad valves, checked valve clearance and decompression adjustment multiple times, compression is 60 like the manual asks for, good blue-white spark that jumps a 1/4" gap, torn the carb down multiple times along with removing mid body to check seals and orifices. Good accelerator pump, cam timing is on. Sometimes I get nothing from kicking, sometimes it fires for a split second.

Thanks! I never knew the technical term before, so now I know to tel my mechanic my bike goes "do do do do..."!

Check that woodruff key on the flywheel on magneto

Every time I watch one of your videos and my wife hears it in the background she says of watching the kicking king guy again. You must have a leg of steel.

Joe, I admire ur resilience trying to get that thing to start. FYI, I once owned a Honda CBR 600F3 and it had a stator issue. Just as u explained, I’d b riding along and for no reason when I twisted the throttle ….. the bike would cease running. I purchased 2 new batteries but it didn’t fix it. I had the rectifier replaced but, that didn’t work either. After I sold it to a shop I was talking to the owner and he told me those bikes had stator probs.

The SEM ignition on that era Husabergs is notorious for developing problems. I have the 650 berg and it's pretty hard to get started with a kick starter but fires up easily with the electric starter. You should fix the starter first and if it's still hard to start I would look in to ignition

Tip, sit on bike backwards and kick it forward, thank you 🙏 😊

Moisture in the stator case is the biggest problem. Be sure to open it after rides to prevent rust on the stator assy

Great Channel! Keep in mind magnets can go bad… I use to work with magnets quite a bit and I can tell you that magnets can get weak usually from Heat and age. Weak magnets = weak or no spark. Seems like you ruled out everything else. Just some food for thought. Keep up the good work!👏🏻

You are very Talented and very strong about getting the work done. Here is what I know for sure, this is a good bike, that is hard to start, if you don’t know how to start it.

Wire nuts on the harness? Who in the hell does that

Just buy a Horsepower Ignition System for it if they make them for this model. For about $250 you’ll have and brand new ignition system that works perfectly.

This is weird...I just bought a mint 2010 Husaberg FE390 and now you are wrenching on a Husaberg!! Love the videos!

Maybe get one of those spark testers where you can see the strength of the spark.