2009 November 25: Exhaust and initial start up (2.00 hours)

• Fit the exhaust and mufflers.
• Hooked up a test tank to supply fuel to the carbs.
• Double checked that all fluids were okay.
• Lightly pressurized the sump to force engine oil into the oil pump and up into the passageways as far as possible. This step is easy to do and really saves on internal engine wear and tear upon initial start up after a rebuild. The last thing I want is a cavitating oil pump...despite my use of assembly lube.
• Attempted to start the bike. It was extremely difficult to get any kind of ignition. From time to time, it would act a *little* like it might start, but no go. I started to examine the coils, timing, etc. After more than a little time, I discovered the left spark plug was bad. A bad spark plug? I know it happens, but it is pretty rare. Of great interest is the fact that these were the spark plugs that came with the bike. They looked so new that I had decided to reuse them. Along with a missing oil pump bearing, broken oil ring on the right cylinder, and possible rust in the tank, this is another (and probably primary) reason the bike began running poorly for the previous owner after he ran it for 15 miles.
• With the bad plug replaced, the bikes started up and ran. The rear wheel was spinning like crazy, testifying that the automatic transmission is working. Wow, I can't wait to ride it! The timing is off, though, so I'll have to correct that first.