Starting issue.

[Burbbles]

On our 2002 FZS600 we have a starting issue. You have to hold the button for about 3-4 seconds before it fires. I first thought it was spark plugs so I whipped them out and replaced them. Its improved a little but by no means fixed. I know the bike was stood for a couple of years before being bought as an instructor bike, before we bought it from the school.
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[/size]This is what it sounds like when starting [/size]http://vocaroo.com/i/s1fPr8Q8yJiu

Jenny told me if you give it a hint of gas when starting it fires up straight away. Im thinking it has to be down to the carbs. [/font]

[stevierst]

Check all the usual bits for when a bike has been stood for a while.
Air filter.
Plugs.
Leads.
Caps.
And have a general root around for chewed/rotted wires and connectors.

If all these are ok, then it'll be deffo carb gunk, or maybe just wildly out of balance.
Good luck with it

[Burbbles]

I have checked the air filter, and the bike runs great and smooth when its going,.. its just this little starting issue.

whats involved in rebalancing carbs? Is it something thats easy to do at home or does a mechanic have to do it?

How much of the bike has to be stripped to get the carbs off?

I have done it before on my old ZRX11, and the whole back end had to come off the bike before i could get anywhere near the middle.

[bandit]

Not that bad of a job on the fazer

motorcycle carburetor balancing- Carbtune

[unfazed]

If it only happens first thing in the morning it is most likely water settling over night in in the float bowls. It is picked up first by the pilot jets and unfortunately water is not combustible. 

Before you start the bike in the morning drain the float bowls. When float bowls have drained tighten the drain screws and turn the ignition on and ensure the kill switch is set to run, wait until the fuel pump stops ticking, turn the ignition switch off and on again and when the pump stops ticking, switch it on and off again. Keep doing this until the pump stop ticking when the ignition is switched on. This means the float bowls are full. Now start the engine. If it starts ok, then it is a build up of water in the tank. Run the bike until the fuel is as low as possible. Remove the tank and drain every drop out of it, you will have to remove the fuel tap to drain all the fuel out. Replace the fuel filter, put the fuel tap back on the replace the tank. Put fresh fuel in and away you go.

You can use different additives to the same effect, but I am not a fan of them and prefer to drain the tank.

[Burbbles]

Damn good idea that,... should of thought of that one myself to be honest,.. okay i shall drain them tomorrow morning,.. we're heading out early so ill make sure i do this

Thanks!

[Frosties]

I'm going for fuel pump if it's first thing in the morning - takes longer to prime it after being left overnight.


Does the pump seem to "tick" for a while before she fires or do you try to start whilst the pump is still priming - if so, wait for the "ticking to stop"


Good luck.

[Burbbles]

The ticking is only momentary,.. less than a second i would say

[His Dudeness]

If it's been parked for a good while a carb clean would do no harm but unfazed explanation sounds right to me

[darrsi]

Damn good idea that,... should of thought of that one myself to be honest,.. okay i shall drain them tomorrow morning,.. we're heading out early so ill make sure i do this

Thanks!

Probably too late, but be careful, the screws are made from soft cheese.

[Burbbles]

Done a carb drain this morning,.. screw unscrewed all good,.. drained them and reprimed them and still the same.. ho huff,.. so im going to put some STP petrol cleaner into a full tank and take it for a ride,... if that doesn't improve it i will strip the carbs down.

[darrsi]

Use the STP Complete Fuel System cleaner, as there are lesser versions that aren't as good.
Half a bottle per full tank, in 2 tanks worth.

[Burbbles]

Shall do! Shall keep you updated

[darrsi]

I've used it a couple of times before, and if it's just a mild clean that's needed you'll notice a difference on the second day.

[unfazed]

Done a carb drain this morning,.. screw unscrewed all good,.. drained them and reprimed them and still the same.. ho huff,.. so im going to put some STP petrol cleaner into a full tank and take it for a ride,... if that doesn't improve it i will strip the carbs down.

Always worth trying the cheap easy option first, sounds like it might a clean. Nothing to lose by going the STP route

One thing all the fazers need a little bit of throttle to start.

[Burbbles]

Do most fazers start like Jens bike does? i posted a sound clip of it starting

[unfazed]

No, but then it sounds like it is not getting enough throttle starting.
 

[darrsi]

Noggy, how many starting issues have you had since using Activ8?
Just asking?