50 psi compression bike still running !

[realrydertellem]

Is possible to have a 50 psi compression and the motor still run? I'm getting a reading of 50 psi on each cylinder on my banshee. Granted the bike start, but the bike will not reach is power band at all. I was under the impression that any psi under a 100 the will not start.

[special06shee]

Could be a bad gauge.. Im not saying that your top end isnt toast but you could be getting a lower reading then what it actually is! I had bought a brand new gauge a couple of months ago that read about 35psi lower then what it really was!! Also when using a compression gauge you must use a tip that is as long as the spark plug to achieve the most accurate kicking reading!! If the tips are shorter the readings will also be lower by a few psi!!

[shakar]

^^ i agree thats really low so....prob/wrong bad tester

[sheerider11]

I had a tester from harbor freight that read 60 on everything

[wfobasheeboy]

I would think bad tester or maybe wrong adapter used.

[knightracer_08]

I had on old Yamaha dt250 in high school that ran on only 85 psi, once she warmed up it lost all power and couldn't pull me around. Would only idle. One of the best bikes I ever had after I did the rings.