back to no start :(

Man, don't know where to go from here. You've checked and gone through about everything. Have you checked for spark again lately? Maybe try pulling and using the plugs that are currently installed to test for spark? I've had plugs not fire before that were brand new. Looks like you have everything set up properly - aux tank, vacuum ports all capped off - etc. You've gone through the carbs but like others, if carb cleaner shows a spark of life, then it starts looking like a fuel problem again. Good luck. Later.
 
I tested each plug before it went in, and they are brand new iridium NGK plugs. The only thing I can think of is that the carbs are SO out of whack that it wont start.. but I have a hard time believing that. I don't want to send them to rick and spend 200 bucks (not that it isnt worth it, I have seen his work) if it isnt absolutely necessary.
 
I don't know what else to try either, I'm at a loss. Wish you were closer, I bet you I could come over and get that thing running in no time.
 
Guess Scoob is going to take a trip here shorty. With the weather the way it is, it will probably be sooner than spring.
 
I'm going to keep trying but man of you wanna come down one weekend I would sure appreciate it. Beer and steak and some gas money for sure.
 
Scooby knows what he is looking at more than most of us. He had a 96/97 ZL600....and he likes to make sure things run perfect.....

Much good luck!
 
better watch out if scooby comes over 2 work on your bike! he's gonna want 2 make it go FASTER! :laughing7:
 
Manny said:
Any updates on this?
Click to expand...
+1
I seem to be having a similar issue - I recently had my carbs cleaned (by my mechanic) along with a new set of wires/spark plugs/caps.
She ran without a glitch for about a week and then one day she just refused to start. Checked the plugs - sparks good enough to start a bonfire. While I had them out I checked the cylinders and they were bone dry - not even a trace molecule of gas.
Tried spaying starter fluid in the air box - no cigar - for some some reason the carbs refuse to blow any gas in the cylinders (checked the bowls - there's gas in them). And now the cherry: I had a couple of buddies push me for a bit and presto! - that lovely familiar growl <3 . Once I let off the throttle though she started sputtering and died. Sparked her with the starter button and she went back to life... for a second. In the end I realized that keeping a constant slight twist on the throttle gave her enough time to warm up and start revving up - in a couple of minutes she was running like it's her job. At least until the next time I tried a cold start - the gas from the last boot-up had already evaporated and I had to go through the whole procedure again. That lasted a few days and now even the bump start fails... :(

Anyone had similar experience with their girls? Any suggestions what I need to look at?

Oh yeah - '87 zl600

Cheers! V@
 
R. J. said:
How many miles is on your bike. The Service Manual states that the valves should be checked every 5 K miles.
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No idea. The gauge says 11K but I'm not sure that's the real mileage since one of the previous owners seems to have been messing with the speedometer - the back light was removed and the whole assy is a bit loose (no service record of course). I've done about 2K miles on her so far, so I guess it's about time for a check.

Thanks! V@
 
Yep... not even 15 psi. Guess a new set of piston rings and a thorough check of my lubrication system would be in order.
I should have found a girlfriend! :D

V@
 
Rings...lol, ez there. Ya know if the valves are out of adjustment it affects compression. Try the things that are free before you go thinking a teardown is in order. The petcock needs vaccum to open and let the gas flow unless it's on pri. If your compression is down it may not be drawing enough vaccum to open the gas valve diaphragm. If it don't start you can then do leak down testing to see where the issue is.
 
87kawzl said:
Rings...lol, ez there. Ya know if the valves are out of adjustment it affects compression. Try the things that are free before you go thinking a teardown is in order. The petcock needs vaccum to open and let the gas flow unless it's on pri. If your compression is down it may not be drawing enough vaccum to open the gas valve diaphragm. If it don't start you can then do leak down testing to see where the issue is.
Click to expand...

Petcock's broken - gas comes pouring out no matter which position it's in so I guess that's not the root cause. I recently had my carbs cleaned and there's fuel in the bowls, so I guess the problem should be down the line. I'm having the valves adjusted, but how bad should they be for the pressure to drop to practically zero? O_o
I did have some oil leak out of the air box - hence my fear of a clogged oil line which AFAIK is not the best case scenario for the pistons...

Si vis pacem, para bellum, you know :)

V@
 
There is a crankcase breather tube that goes to the airbox that let's the vapors get burned up thru the intake. Oil sometimes accumulates in the bottom of the box. Doubt you have an oiling issue, you would hear bearings rapping if you did.

Valves can be out of adjustment bad enough that it won't run. If you can change the plugs you have the wrenching skills to adjust your valves, the manual is very thorough on the required steps. You go broke in a hurry paying someone to wrench on 30yo bikes.

The petcock is something that needs addressed immediately, rebuildable at home. It will cause bent rods or timing chain breakage maybe a hole in the block.
 
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