71 norton commando will not start

I just bought a 1971 norton commando 750 and I am having trouble getting it started. It has good compresson and spark, the battery is good and charged. It almost started on a couple of kicks, but thats as close as I have been able to come. I was wondering if I am missing something. Im not sure if there is a choke on the carbs, or what position the throttle has to be in or the compression switch. I have a full tank of gas and have primed the carbs to fill the fuel bowl. I do live in ontario canada and am not sure if is just too cold to have it start. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

AUX
How old is the Gas in the Tank
What type of carbs on bike...Twin Amals or Mikuni's ???
Electronic or Points???
you need more info for trouble shooting
Regards,
CNN

If Amals:

Choke (if still installed) will be a small round lever-activated attachment on the handlebar.
Open it (releasing the tension on the cable) to drop the choke bar into the air stream at the carb mouth.)

Tickle carbs until gas flows.

DO NOT OPEN THE THROTTLE more than a crack to start. (Otherwise you defeat the whole purpose of the choke bar you just dropped into place.)

Kick through.....

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(Have you tried a rolling start yet?)

it''s got twin amal carbs

new gas

no air filters

lucas electronics, points are good

is when throttle fully forward the killswitch or the choke?

r is the instrument on the handle bars that looks like bicycle bell that the manual calls the air cable (carburetor end) the choke you are talking about?

Thanks for the advice.

The "bicycle bell" you describe sounds like the choke lever. Full open position is 90 degrees to the bar. Full closed (choke) is parallel to the bar.

Here's the bicycle bell:



Rotating it counter-clockwise as you see it here unwinds the cable and allows the choke bar at the end of it to drop into/block/choke the air stream.

Remember: Do NOT open the throttle more than a crack when kicking through after choking the carburator.
Once it starts you can open the throttle more to warm up for a minute or two and it will run fine.

Sorry for the cheesy bike bell term, but everybodies advice has been great. I got my norton to fire up and it sounds amazing, awesome feeling.
Thanks to everybody for the advice. Im sure as I get further into the operation and parts finding of the bike I will need some great advice again, so there is a good chance you will hear from me again. Thanks again from everybody and hope for some more great tips in the future!!

aux621

aux621,

It would be nice to know more about your bike and report on what you have experienced, especially after riding it. We all love Nortons and want to hear what is going on with everyone's MC. Where are you?

Dave

69S

aux621
Good to hear you got the bike going.
Where do you Hail from?
This may help you if there is another Norton owner near by to help you out. Local Knowledge for Part supply near your area, local clubs etc.
CNN