Starting problems

I feel a right git for asking this, but im scratching my head trying to figure out what the hell is wrong here[1].

I washed the bike the other day and rinsed it off with a hose thoroughly, started it up for a little bit to dry
things out, then realised i was short of time so aborted that pretty quickly. I left the bike for a few days due
to being busy over the weekend..

Come Monday the LTD decided that it didn't want to start the other morning, i have since had to revert to
the car to get around (which is good, as we've since had 3 days of torrential rain). Anyhow. put a spare
plug into the boots, got spark (it's a deep purple, is that a indication of a weak spark?). drained fuel
floatbowl's incase, got electrics, turns over well (aside from the random grind of a sprag clutch i intend
replacing shortly.

Turning it over i can feel pressure on my legs coming out of the exhausts. spraying aerostart (ether mix for
starting contankerous engines) in the carbs didn't do anything to help the starting situation. I am seriously
considering taking the rocker cover off tomorrow to make sure my rocker thingies haven't snapped as they
did in a past bike (but i kinda broke that by a) stupidity and b) messing with the timing ).

is there anything i missed?

[1] Any suggestions of time to split the cases will be met with a "go **** yourself, or find yourself a poofter"
remark[2]

[2] This isn't aimed at BTH or Conehead.
Mike.S

 

if it has fuel , and spark is it timed correctly ???
I would think a strong yellow spark is better but maybe your toy is
different , have you looked to be sure the points/ignition is dry ?.
pull a plug add a little fuel and bump start ?.
engage 2nd hold clutch and get the kids to push , side saddle the seat
( bouncing as you land) and fast release the clutch . it should go .
good luck .

 

spraying aerostart (ether mix for

starting situation. I am seriously

thingies haven't snapped as they

Have you tried cranking it over with the plugs out, just in-case water's got
into the combustion chambers?
When you sprayed aerostart into the carbies, did you have the throttle fully
cranked open?
Have you checked compression with the thumb ?
Are the plugs getting wet by the fuel ?


vifer

 

is there anything i missed?

Nope, about to try that this morning.

It nearly sucked my frickin thumb in, so yes it has compression.

Nope.
But then again i charged my battery overnight too, and am going to put it in again this morning
maybe it'll have enough umph to actually do something

Thanks, i'll look into it. Wish me luck

Mike.S

 

Charged the batt this morning, hopefully that'll give it enough guts to turn over correctly & draw fuel in
Timing, hell yes, i haven't screwed with that at all. I'm not quite willing to bugger that up too[1]

As i said, newly charged battery, let's see what it does. the ign unit looked dry w/o any condensation on it
the unit is hidden well up above the battery and i mostly doubt i got it wet.

Haven't got kids (not yet at least, im not married). if i havent gotten it sorted out in 13 yrs i'll consider that option

I think i'll need it, thanks.

[1] once bitten twice shy in the fuckup stakes here.

Mike.S

 

Shoulda bought that VTR!

Hammo

 

spark?). ....
~
No that's quite normal for a Machine Head.
Clem
[It is Made in Japan after all!]

 

That's obviously your punishment for wasting water while restrictions are
imposed.

Nev..
'03 ZX12R
'02 CBR1100XX

 

Although it has been raining quite steadily for the past few days (we need
lots more though!)

 

Burn, Fireball...

Doug Cox.
Lord give me some paice...

 

figure out what the hell is wrong here[1].

started it up for a little bit to dry

quickly. I left the bike for a few days due

morning, i have since had to revert to

torrential rain). Anyhow. put a spare

Water shorting the plugs? Instead of using a spare plug, pull one out &
check that it's not wet.

Conehead

 

I *did* buy a VTR!


Postman Pat

 

figure out what the hell is wrong here[1].

started it up for a little bit to dry

quickly. I left the bike for a few days due

morning, i have since had to revert to

torrential rain). Anyhow. put a spare

of a weak spark?). drained fuel

grind of a sprag clutch i intend

spraying aerostart (ether mix for

starting situation. I am seriously

thingies haven't snapped as they

yourself, or find yourself a poofter"

Try replacing the front tyre...


Postman Pat

 

Good boi!

So you WILL be THERE then!!

Hammo

 

Try replacing the front tyre...

Would ya believe that that is on my todo list with rego coming up. soon as rego is gone im gonna get the bike once-overed to make
sure its shipshape.
Mike.S

 

As a bunch of you suggested, i figured water had worked its way in somehow. so i removed the plugleads, and any connector i could
and the igniter box too and sprayed a decent quantity of WD40 in there. i then took the plugs out (without the fuellines linked
up) , and turned the engine over for a good 20 seconds or so. i could smell a bitta fuel, methinks possibly flooded slightly.

then tried kicking her over once assembled, she gave a wheeze or two. had to jumper it to the car and kick it in the guts a few
times, but it got working!!!!! i ran it idling for 15 minutes and it seemed to behave itself. now im going to take it out to give
it a 30 min run to make sure that its battery will be ok tomorrow when i take it to go to work.

*WOOT*, b.t.w. thanks everyone for the helpful suggestions (this means you too Pat!)

Mike.S

 

You gonna adjust the tappets?

 

What!? And **** up the gearing?

 

I've learned, if there is any damn tinkering to be done, it IS worth paying someone to do it!
(yeah yeah, i know)

Mike.S

 

You gonna adjust the tappets?

Yeah you never know, these radical belt driven bikes'n'all.

Mike.S