The Royal Enfield starting mistake I always make

I recently blogged about the 10 steps you perform in kickstarting a classic Royal Enfield Bullet motorcycle.

There is actually an 11th step I invariably do — after the first 10 don't work!

There I am, kicking and kicking. I check the petcock. Gas is on. I check the kill switch. It's on "Run." I check the ignition; re-position the piston to the ideal spot; plan my kick carefully so I follow through completely.

And — nothing.

So, eventually, I decide to take my own advice on what to do when a Royal Enfield Bullet won't start.

I get comfortable. I take off any riding gear I've donned. Perhaps I get a soft drink. I just relax.

And it's usually then, looking casually at the Bullet, that I'll notice it: The high-tension wire to the spark plug. It's off.

Again.

I took it off the last time I removed the spark plug to clean it. I should have put it back on when I put the plug back in.

The high-tension lead doesn't do any good if it's not on the spark plug.

But, for some reason, I don't always do that. The Bullet only has one spark plug. It can't start without that spark.

I've learned this lesson before. More than once.

Apparently, I am doomed to learn it again from time to time.