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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: dgurovich on September 20, 2015, 06:08:58 PM

Title: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on September 20, 2015, 06:08:58 PM
Hmmm.  I'm stumped.  I have one of those nifty lights that attach between the spark plug and the coil to show if you're getting spark.  When I crank my Stornello, it gives a nice shower of light showing that it is getting spark.  So, I'm figuring fuel.  I stuffed some starting fluid down the carb thinking I'd at least get a quick run or a pop if the timing was out, but...

nothing...

Spark and gas...  am I missing something?

It's ready to roll...

What's the spark plug size, anyway?

(https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/t31.0-8/12030371_10207447032756031_1840671561946728191_o.jpg)

(https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xfp1/t31.0-8/12031525_10207447070636978_3669064405289405203_o.jpg)
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Cam3512 on September 20, 2015, 07:38:04 PM
Have you checked the plug to see if it's fouled?  Mine is a bitch to start after it has been sitting for a while.  I need to use the enritchener and tickle the carb until it floods.  I swear I have to kick it 100 times after sitting for a couple months (It's my Giro bike), but then it's a one-kicker.  I did spring for a new coil that I will install this winter.  I've been using the original that's 48 years old.

Plug is NGK B6ES.

Cam
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: cwiseman on September 20, 2015, 07:46:43 PM
I had a Stornello for a bit, it was fairly easy to start after tickling
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on September 21, 2015, 06:00:39 AM
Probably a bad plug.. <shrug>
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: sign216 on September 21, 2015, 06:05:03 AM
I agree on checking the plug.  My 106cc Gilera became hard to start after I resurrected it.  Upon checking the plug, I saw that it was slightly hitting the top of the piston, reducing the plug gap to infinitesimal. 
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: JBU on September 21, 2015, 06:56:36 AM
My guess is either a bad plug or bad battery. 

My lodola would start up right away,  i would ride for a bit and then it would die.  I would not be able to start it back up.  I would change plugs and still no go.  My charging system would drain the battery.  I am now in the process of getting the generator fixed, got a new more powerful coil and a solid state regulator/rectifier.  I am guessing that the stornello is similar to the lodola and that it is has coil ignition/ battery charging system and not a magneto type charging system.

Beautiful bike by the way.

Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Cam3512 on September 21, 2015, 07:14:53 AM
My Stornello IS a magneto system. Battery only runs the tail light and horn.  Should start regardless.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: JBU on September 21, 2015, 07:26:19 AM
Thanks Cam  didn't realize that. 
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Cam3512 on September 21, 2015, 07:47:21 AM
Danilo,

You need this boot between the carb intake and box.

http://guzzino.com/moguloairbox.html

Cam
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on September 21, 2015, 09:52:57 AM
Yes.  Mine is pretty hack.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on September 21, 2015, 03:12:36 PM
Sparkplug is B7ES for anyone taking notes.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Testarossa on September 21, 2015, 04:29:14 PM
I went thru this recently with my Triumph. Turned out I had the static timing off by 20 degrees, so check that -- even more critical with a magneto. The intake boot is also critical because any air leak will prevent carburetion.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Scott DeRoss on September 21, 2015, 05:29:46 PM
Hopefully this isn't a stupid question. On my 66 Stornello sport, with that ignition I had, you had to activate the electrical system by pushing in the key on the headlight switch. Then you can start it, and if you turn the key to the right after it was pushed in and bike running you would get headlight/taillight and to the left was parking lights. So is the key in the on position? Also on mine there was a fuse inside the head light (euro style) but I don't remember if that was for ignition or headlight. Check it out. Scott
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: jbell on September 22, 2015, 08:32:59 PM
Nice looking bike.  I recently had the opportunity to buy a Stornello that was pretty complete but fairly rough.  Price was right but instead of a title, it came with a nice story.  No thanks.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Cam3512 on September 22, 2015, 08:58:35 PM
This is for sale on the MGNOC Classifieds.  Asking $1800. 

http://www.mgnoc.com/images/classifieds/1966%20125cc%20Sport.jpg
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on September 24, 2015, 08:17:55 PM
It's easy to get a title in Michigan if you have a bill of sale.

Well, after too many kicks I decided to do a compression test.  Dry, it was about 75 psi, and wet it was over 140.  Am I looking at a ring problem?  It hasn't run in years after all....
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on September 24, 2015, 09:48:47 PM
It seems to me that 75psi for a very dry motor that has been sitting (7:1 compression) isn't "that" bad....
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on October 01, 2015, 07:26:50 PM
Ok, popped the cover off.  Static timing was off by about 10ยบ, so I re-set it and it is now spot-on.  Switch on and gave it a few kicks.  A couple of pops and nothing.  Took starting fluid, opened throttle and hit it for 5 seconds.  Nada.  Nothing.  Took spark plug out, it was pretty dry.  Sprayed starting fluid down the hole and then sealed it up.

Nothing.  Nada after a buncha kicks.

Compression, not the greatest, but there.  Spark. Flammable stuff in the cylinder.  The spark is clean and white.  SH*T.  What am I missing!!!

Danilo
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: oldbike54 on October 01, 2015, 07:29:27 PM
 75 LBS of compression is really low .

  Dusty
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on October 01, 2015, 07:46:04 PM
If I have to go a new Piston/cylinder route, tell me.  Where can I source them?   Also, will the 160 piston fit?  I noticed that the stroke is the same and the bore is 5mm larger....
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Hahnda on October 01, 2015, 07:58:31 PM
I will try to remember to check what the compression is on my Stornello.

PIston and rings available in Italy. I recently used the same seller for a Airone piston.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/COMPLETE-PISTON-KIT-SET-PISToN-RINGS-FOR-FIT-GUZZI-ENGINE-PISTAO-/141591395040
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on October 02, 2015, 07:53:05 AM
Id like to go with a cylinder too, since mine has some broken fins and stuff...
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Cam3512 on October 02, 2015, 08:01:31 AM
Are you tickling your carb until it floods?  I need to see gas dripping to kick mine over the first time.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: JBU on October 02, 2015, 09:13:34 AM
 
Are you tickling your carb until it floods?  I need to see gas dripping to kick mine over the first time.

 :1:
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Hahnda on October 02, 2015, 11:39:07 AM
 :1: on the tickle

I checked and got 100 psi. Probably not as high as it should be but it starts and runs good.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: MGPilot on October 02, 2015, 05:12:15 PM
75-100 lbs compression wouldn't keep it from starting.  If it stayed low while hot, you'd get blow-by and lower power.  But that's not keeping it from starting.

At least on airplanes, the magnetos jump 20-30 degrees when running.  So, the static setting is further off than you might think to help the engines start.  Sort of has to be fuel or timing. If it's not responding to starter fluid, would seem like the most likely culprit is timing.

But then....I didn't sleep at a Holiday Inn last night....
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on October 02, 2015, 05:16:11 PM
Just about have to be ignition if you're shooting starting fluid in it and no fire in the hole..
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: pat80flh on October 02, 2015, 05:24:46 PM
It doesn't take a lot of voltage to light that little light bulb in your tester. It takes a lot of voltage to fire a spark plug. A weak coil will light a test light but not fire a plug. Same with poor connections etc. I would try pulling the plug, laying it against the cylinder and see if it sparks. Or stick a screw driver in the wire, hold on to it bare handed and kick. That'll tell you.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: MGPilot on October 02, 2015, 05:55:04 PM
There are special testers for magnetos.  Is there someone local who could check it?
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on October 02, 2015, 07:15:36 PM
Quote
hold on to it bare handed and kick.

Works. <shrug>
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: twhitaker on October 02, 2015, 08:12:08 PM
That was how I timed my Ambassador!
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: acogoff on October 02, 2015, 08:19:24 PM
     New sparkplugs ? A shot plug will fire in the ambient air but not under pressure. And I have found that NGK plugs do not ever like to get wet and continue to give good service. Don't get me wrong i still run NGK plugs, just refrain from flooding them.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: dgurovich on October 25, 2015, 03:11:50 PM
I finally gave up on the original magneto and threw down the $350 for the PowerDynamo.  It installs in a few hours, gets rid of a bunch of wires and gives you 12-volt goodness and dip-switch control of advance.

It starts and runs like a scalded ape.  Pulls very strong and will easily get past 40 in 3rd gear.  Gotta put the side case back on, clean it up a little, tighten some nuts and adjust/get used to that UB20 Carb.  It definitely aint an SS.

Handles better than my Parilla did, but it is nowhere near as fast.  Ask me if I care.  I got off the bike an hour ago and I'm still grinning from ear to ear.  A very cool bike!
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: smdl on October 25, 2015, 03:35:21 PM
:thumb:

:gotpics:
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello -- RUNNING!
Post by: dgurovich on November 07, 2015, 04:17:40 PM
So I got sick of messing with the Magneto and threw down the $350 for a PowerDynamo from Germany.  I ordered it on a Monday and was installing it Thursday night.  The instructions were clear and concise; I would have gotten it on the first try had I not forgotten to pop out the key on the end of the crank.

Wiring was super easy and eliminated a bunch of headaches, the system is now 12 volts, there's less stuff everywhere and you don't need much of a  battery since all it does is power the lights.

I got everything installed, then made a few final checks.  It started on the fourth crank on my bench using my arm.  It ran like a quartz watch.

I've since had it off the lift of course, and I have been riding it like I stole it.  What a hoot.  It doesn't miss a beat, idles like a Falcone, and runs smooth and fast through it's four gears to a top speed somewhere around 60 I guess -- I could care less how fast it goes, this thing is a HOOT and it handles miles better than my old Parilla.

The little Stornello has turned into one super-awesome ride that is a serious blast around town, and the cafe-bike look is perfect for it.

Thanks to everyone here for their help.  I will never build another bike without a PowerDynamo unless it is a very serious restoration.  For rider-bikes, they are a MUST.
Title: Re: Starting a Stornello
Post by: Muzz on November 07, 2015, 06:13:32 PM
Works. <shrug>

 :1:

Until I struck one of the later ones from Lucas that put me on my back! :rolleyes: :embarrassed: :cry: