Author Topic: Starting a Stornello (Read 10023 times)

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?

Cam3512 · « **Reply #1 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

cwiseman · « **Reply #2 on:** September 20, 2015, 07:46:43 PM »

I had a Stornello for a bit, it was fairly easy to start after tickling

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #3 on:** September 21, 2015, 06:00:39 AM »

Probably a bad plug.. <shrug>

sign216 · « **Reply #4 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.

JBU · « **Reply #5 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.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #6 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.

JBU · « **Reply #7 on:** September 21, 2015, 07:26:19 AM »

Thanks Cam didn't realize that.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #8 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

dgurovich · « **Reply #9 on:** September 21, 2015, 09:52:57 AM »

Yes. Mine is pretty hack.

dgurovich · « **Reply #10 on:** September 21, 2015, 03:12:36 PM »

Sparkplug is B7ES for anyone taking notes.

Testarossa · « **Reply #11 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.

Scott DeRoss · « **Reply #12 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

jbell · « **Reply #13 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.

Cam3512 · « **Reply #14 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

dgurovich · « **Reply #15 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....

dgurovich · « **Reply #16 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....

dgurovich · « **Reply #17 on:** October 01, 2015, 07:26:50 PM »

Ok, popped the cover off. Static timing was off by about 10º, 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

oldbike54 · « **Reply #18 on:** October 01, 2015, 07:29:27 PM »

75 LBS of compression is really low .

Dusty

dgurovich · « **Reply #19 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....

Hahnda · « **Reply #20 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

dgurovich · « **Reply #21 on:** October 02, 2015, 07:53:05 AM »

Id like to go with a cylinder too, since mine has some broken fins and stuff...

Cam3512 · « **Reply #22 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.

JBU · « **Reply #23 on:** October 02, 2015, 09:13:34 AM »

Quote from: 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.

:1:

Hahnda · « **Reply #24 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.

MGPilot · « **Reply #25 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....

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #26 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..

pat80flh · « **Reply #27 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.

MGPilot · « **Reply #28 on:** October 02, 2015, 05:55:04 PM »

There are special testers for magnetos. Is there someone local who could check it?

Chuck in Indiana · « **Reply #29 on:** October 02, 2015, 07:15:36 PM »

Quote

hold on to it bare handed and kick.

Works. <shrug>

News:

Author Topic: Starting a Stornello (Read 10023 times)

oldbike54