engine testing

This may sound like a dumb question but is there a way to see if my engine will turn over without an ignition? I bought a project bike over 20 years old and it is stripped down to rolling chassis with engine. no electrics whatsoever. Is this possible or do i need to find myself a new wiring harness and ignition and hook stuff back up the way it was? Thanks and sorry if this is just a stupid newb question

-Lucas

 

Putting 12 volts to the starter should make it turn, right? Bike battery and some jumper cables would do the trick.

Action

 

wow thanks that seems so simple! im gonna try it out this weekend!

-Lucas

 

ground out the motor and tap the wire coming form the starter (positive) it should turn over

 

you might as well do a compression check too at that point!

 

can i do that even if the bike doesn't turn over completely?

-Lucas

 

why, are you trying to start a bike without the key?

 

no ignition, the bike is over 20 years old so i stripped almost everything assuming it was all junk

-Lucas

 

by jumping the starter the bike should turn over if it is not seized and the starter is in working order. Now with ut the ignition hooked up the bike will not start(no spark). If the motor turns over freely pull the spark plugs, infact pull the plugs before you try to turn it over and use a compression gauge to test each cylinder. A good pressure reading will most likely be 115-125lbs bad is anything under 95lbs more importantly you want all cylinders to be within 5-7lbs

 

if you remove the round access cover at end of crankshaft (on clutch cover) you can turn the engine with a 17mm socket.......no electricity needed.