Anyone a Velosolex specialist on here?

I can't get my 3800 to start

Someone supposedly got it running on a bench for me a few months ago, but now back on the bike the damn thing won't do a thing! Not a puff of blue smoke :\

I've never ridden one (working) before, maybe there's a technique to starting these things?

Feel a bit of a fuckwit really.

Try here - http://www.velosolexclubuk.com

Plenty of help there.

Is there fuel visible in the return tube to the tank? The fuel pumps are not the best of designs.

The problem I have had with my 3800 and my recent 2200 is the electrics. Check the spark on the plug. Take it out and hold it against the engine case and rotate the flywheel, just a quick turn to see if you have a spark. I was surprised how important it is to have a correctly set spark plug and also timing.

Plenty of info on the site I put up previous plus a very knowledgable US mechanic who does this for a living. He has helped me loads with my bikes - just got to get the 1400 sorted now but the AZU got in the way.....

Yup, there's fuel returning down the return pipe, and theres a nice spark too. Took me a year to get that far and the b*stard still won't start!

Curse of the single cylinder.

Anyway, to start, which way is the choke supposed to be pushed? Left or right?
You then start cycling with the decompressor held.
Then when up to speed, you let go of it and it *should* start right?

Or am I missing something....

The solex site looks very helpful, have read through lots of it and wish I'd known about it when trying to get the fuel feed and spark to work!

I normally never use the choke to start mine. Take top off the airfilter and have a look down to see which way - or if lever is working choke. To start mine - you are doing correct. Lower wheel/engine. Decompression on, push and then decompression released, bike should become more heavy with engine rotating... If good spark and fuel / strange......

My choke goes to the left but as soon as it starts I put it to the right.

I don't normally press the decompression, I just push off hard and pedal.

Is you spark happening when the lines match up on your flywheel housing. i.e the Timing.

It should do, as i timed it once, then gave it to a pro (friend of a friend - never met him) who got it going on a bench, then received it back.

Will check this though.

Can they be reluctant to begin to start sometimes (like a 2cv engine left for a while?). It's not like it's trying to start even slighlty. It seemsjust hopelessly dead!

Does the decompression lever make a difference?

i.e. does it make it easy to turn and then heavier when let go.

Just to make sure the decompression is not stuck on.

On my 2200 I had to pedal hard up and down the road a few times once I made sure there was fuel running and it sparked at the right time. I put the choke to the left and after some sweating it popped into action and then ran perfectly after that.

No so good for my 1400 which the engine is still sitting on the bench (due to AZU getting in the way).

One thing to remember with any 2 stroke,the oil will settle out to the bottom of the tank,when left for long periods,also evaporation from the carb will leave thick oil residue, which will bug up the jets .I was always taught to switch the fuel off and run the carb dry and give the bike/tank a good shake to ensure the fuel & oil are mixed. Remembering this old method gained me a free Raleigh Runabout moped a few years back,after the owner had left it standing a couple of weeks and it would not start. They said if you ca get it to go you can have it,5 mins later I road away chap was well miffed