'86 Spree will not kick over

[duckcove]

I've done two thorough carb cleans along with the guitar wire and I'm getting plenty of gas to the carb. I've done a sparkplug test and get a bright blue/white spark, however, the plug shows no sign of fuel on it when reinserted and cranked. Obviously, no fuel to the cylinder. Problem two is the bystarter does not fit deeply into the female receptacle on the carb. When I attach the c clamp to hold down the bystarter, the clamp actually bends a little when I tighten the two screws. Any ideas or recommendations on what the problems could be and a remedy? Thanks, duck

[uspmale]

You may have a after market by-starter.
They don't fit very well.
A bad by-starter could cause hard cold starts.

[MINICooperS]

I had same prob and thought it was the bystarter or carb. Turned out to be a vacuum leak. These small engines need all the vacuum they can get to draw the fuel in. I'm running at a lowly 100psi and she now starts on the third or fourth kick, cold.
Also sounds like someone has put the wrong size O-ring on your bystarter and it's not seating properly. Try taking the ring off and see if it seats.