AJS & Matchless Owners Club

Hi all. My AJS Model 8 wont start. I have a spark at plug but bike won't even try to start. A few weeks ago it started but was back firing badly. Left for several weeks and now won't start. Any ideas?

I'd try a new condensor first (backfiring). If that doesn't help, new plug, check points at at 14-16thou. Is the fuel fresh?
Dave.

Quite a lot of possibilities but first the simple and basic....as you say the bike's been unused for several weeks.

It's always good practice to fit a new plug e.g. a Champion N5C since it may spark when it's outside the engine but not when under compression. Cleaning modern plugs with anything other than a very soft brush or petrol soaked rag is likely to damage them by causing tracking scratches on the ceramic insulator around the central electrode.
Is the spark plug getting wet with fuel? If not, the carb pilot jet may be blocked/obstructed - a common occurrence with ethanol fuel.
Is the auto Advance/Retard working correctly? E.g. Is it returning to the retarded position at rest?

If you don't have one here's the Owners Manual for your bike:

http://archives.jampot.dk/book/Owners_m ... Manual.pdf

Otherwise............
(Apologies, but you'll get it sorted).

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Thanks all for the advice