Just bought a Bridgestone 90 trail, quick question

[Hershey]

Hello all, new here. I just bought a 90 to fix up and had a quick question. The bike is in ok shape, and I have restored bikes similar to it in the past (Honda s90 and cl90). This might be a silly question, but can the bike start without a battery in it? The reason I ask is because when I picked it up yesterday from the seller, he had it sitting on a dirt road in the middle of his farm. I looked it over, then asked if I could start it, he said go right ahead. I turned the key (didn’t see any lights illuminate on the speedo) kicked it and it started and idled with ease. I let it idle for about 30 seconds, and revved it a little. I payed the man, put it in my truck, drove it home, and unloaded it. When I got up this morning I tried so start it but couldn’t get it to go. So I opened the battery box and low and behold...nothing. Is this even possible (well clearly it is because it happened...but how?) Any insight or schooling would be much appreciated.

-Hershey

[edward]

Wouldn't it work the same way as "popping the clutch" on a manual transmission car when the battery is dead? I'm just guessing. You seem to have more experience with these than I do.

[Hershey]

I thought that too, but without a battery, wouldnt the circut not be completed, and thus current would be lost along the way?

[bsforever]

2 types of ignition systems are the answer. There is the 'battery' ignition system which requires a battery to start the engine  ...and a magneto type ignition system which does not require a battery (the juice is created with the magnetic flywheel). The 90 is a magneto type ignition system requiring no battery to start it.

[Mopar5426]

  Hey Hershey    I Agree With BS     You Need No Battery  To Make It Run   Check For Spark  If There Is No Try Filling The Points       GENE

[arjoboy]

interesting topic ...  as i am wondering the same thing about my recently purchased tora 60 cc does it need a battery for spark?  i read someplace in here that some bridgestone models are like this, i have not seen this before in any of my other bikes.if somone could let me know that would help out a lot thanks in advance darrell