Engine running backwards.

[steveiow]

Just started my lynx up . Kicked it over. It ticked over perfectly okay. Had a bit of a surprise when I put it in gear and it went backwards. Quickly put it in neutral whereupon it farted and coughed then went bang. Thought I'd see if it was dead, so kicked over again. Started 1st kick ran the correct way. Rode it for about 5 miles stopping and restarting. With no problems. Any ideas why it happened?

[HxPaul]

Check your timing,(preferably with a strobe)I once had a series 2 that ran backwards...........my timing was miles out.

[steveiow]

Thanks Paul will do. Was a bit unerving going backwards

[Dazts1]

This will be to do with your timing. My race bike quite often does this. As you say it can be unnerving. Especially sat on a start line of egar race scooters.
My timing is set very close to top dead centre which moves (advance retard ignition) once the motors working. If I let it drop below 3.5 revs on the line you can pretty much guarantee it will go backwards once I set away.
Timing is what I’d be looking at.

[steveiow]

Thanks , tomorrow will be spent checking it.

[grandpa]

Hi steveiow
The Messerschmitt bubble car had two sets of points one set was arranged to be advanced(I think) so that when selected the engine would run backwards.This provided reverse. In theory this meant you could have 4 reverse gears.Scary
Good luck in fixing your machine
Grandpa

[Fast n Furious]

I have a programmable ignition kit on one of mine and used to use it for party trick demonstrations in the club car park.
Very unnerving is trying to ride a Lammy backwards.
Nearly dropped it a couple of times.

[St George]

Back to 1970 we drove a bubble car backwards using all four gears, bloody mad in those days.