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How to start a ZX9R
mackei23b - 19/6/07 at 08:54 AM

Hi there

Well, finally got some water and oil in the engien and fuel in the tank and went to start.........it didn't!

I can confim after initial investigation that the fuel pump was working and fresh fuel was in the float bowls and that a spark is present. Though I am not so convinsed that the carbs were playing thier part in the process.

It's got a TTS air filter (No dynojet kit fitted yet) and the previous owner had sealed the inlet port vacuum take-offs with blankers and blanked off the feed to the reed switches?

Any advice would be grateful.

Cheers

Ian


smart51 - 19/6/07 at 09:02 AM

Does it turn over?
Is there any sign of the engine firing?
Are the spark plugs connected in the right order?

To start mine the first time, I squirted a bit of WD40 in each carb when turning it over, it coughed and spluttered a bit and eventually run (briefly). There is some proper stuff for starting engines but sparay WD40 seemed to work for me. I wouldnt' use it much though.


Peteff - 19/6/07 at 09:03 AM

Try some petrol straight into the inlet with the filter removed. It should fire and you probably haven't got enough fuel through if it's been stood for a long time. Have you cleaned the carbs, jets etc.?


chris_harris_ - 19/6/07 at 09:12 AM

Brake cleaner has worked for me in the past, the aerosol cans from the pound shop, be careful though.


nick205 - 19/6/07 at 09:16 AM

Try some EASY START sprayed straight into the carb barrels. If the timing, spark and firing order are right this should get it to burst into life briefly. That should at least tell you if it's a fuel problem or something more fundamental.

Don't use it too much though


BenB - 19/6/07 at 09:44 AM

Yup. Easy start would be my preferred choice. The wrong solvent in the wrong place can be bad news. I wouldn't personally spray WD40 or brake cleaner down my carbs.... If it effected the gasket / o-rings you'ld be in for a whole lifetime of pain trying to find the multiple leaks!!!


mackei23b - 19/6/07 at 10:50 AM

Hi there

Yes, cranking O.K.
No sign off firing at all.
Spark plugs in rignt order (But I'll check, even if they were not I'd expect the potential of a good backfire if there was feul in the cylinder along with a spark, but not a sausage!).

I think I will prime the carbs as sugested and I'll see what happens!

Cheers

Ian

quote:
Originally posted by smart51
Does it turn over?
Is there any sign of the engine firing?
Are the spark plugs connected in the right order?

To start mine the first time, I squirted a bit of WD40 in each carb when turning it over, it coughed and spluttered a bit and eventually run (briefly). There is some proper stuff for starting engines but sparay WD40 seemed to work for me. I wouldnt' use it much though.


mackei23b - 19/6/07 at 10:51 AM

quote:
Originally posted by Peteff
Try some petrol straight into the inlet with the filter removed. It should fire and you probably haven't got enough fuel through if it's been stood for a long time. Have you cleaned the carbs, jets etc.?


Took the carbs off last night and they look good, I was hopign to find them blocked

Cheers

Ian


Wadders - 19/6/07 at 11:12 AM

Are you using the choke? mine wont start from cold without it.

Al.


mackei23b - 19/6/07 at 11:31 AM

Cheers, wil use the choke as well. Out of interest what jets are you using?

quote:
Originally posted by Wadders
Are you using the choke? mine wont start from cold without it.

Al.


Hellfire - 19/6/07 at 11:44 AM

New spark plugs may solve your problem.

Phil


awinter - 19/6/07 at 11:56 AM

I'll second that, they will need choke to start from cold, mine will not start without choke. Also make sure if you are using a bike battery that it is fully charged, as mine will not fire if the car has not been used for 4 weeks ish.
Mine is on completely standard ZX9r jets and I am using the bike airbox turned through 90 degrees with ZX6r rubber trumpets reamed out to match the ZX9r carbs.
Allan


ScotJebus - 19/6/07 at 09:33 PM

well a common biker problem is forgetting the kill switch sure that aint it?