CBR won't fire.

[dynamite9585]

cranks over and sounds fine, sounds like it REALLY REALLY wants to go. and backfires (big ones)
but just won't kick!!!!!!!!

a bit of google suggests plugs. and that CBR's don't like the cold.
2 part question: does this sounds like a plug problem? (just tried 2 more times after letting it sit for 30 mins same result)

2: anyone in hamilton (pref near claudelands, have a garage, tool kit and experience on these kinds of repairs/servicing that would be willing to give a couple of noobs a hand?

i can find my way around the car engine block ok, but not sure where to start pulling stuff off the bike

[neels]

Has the bike been running recently? If not it could be worth putting some fresh petrol in the thing and draining the carbs.

Are you trying to start it with or without choke? My sons GSXR250 starts best with full choke and no throttle, even if it's not really that cold.

Could be that you've flooded it, try winding it over with no choke and the throttle wide open then go away and have dinner/watch something on telly, then try it again. Worth a try before you get into pulling plugs out etc.

[dynamite9585]

tried flood start procedure already.
fired up yesterday when we went to buy it (push start), fired up this morning a dream, no choke, and about 1 sec on the starter. (charges the batt last night)

we let it idle a bit and went to do our bits and peices, came home to have our first ride and have been bashing our heads agianst the wall for about 2 hours now

[mikemike104]

When I first got my bike I kept having issues with starting it too, turned out it needed no choke so I was always flooding it, I assume you have tried starting it with full then half then no choke just to test it?

[dynamite9585]

have tried every combination of choke/no choke, no throttle/full throttle and all the bits in the middle

[nathan.read]

Sounds like my new bike, started fine a number of times and then would back fire but not start.

The spark plugs were fouled, new plugs and it starts within a second of started (even with a broken choke cable) but it does live in a garage in Northland so its not cold

[=cJ=]

Yup, I had this issue (three are easy, fourth is from hell).

Pull and clean the plugs, if this doesn't fix it, close up the gaps a bit.

[mrchips]

Sounds like my new bike, started fine a number of times and then would back fire but not start.

The spark plugs were fouled, new plugs and it starts within a second of started (even with a broken choke cable) but it does live in a garage in Northland so its not cold

+ 1 fouled plugs.

[dynamite9585]

i'm leaning more on the convinced it's the plugs side of the fence eevery moment, problem is i found out 30 mins after ripco or super crap auto closed.

[imdying]

More plugs are changed prematurely than they need to be. Use the choke, and don't open the throttle even a little. I've seen even shagged ones of these start up with a little encouragement if you follow the rules.

[dynamite9585]

More plugs are changed prematurely than they need to be. Use the choke, and don't open the throttle even a little. I've seen even shagged ones of these start up with a little encouragement if you follow the rules.

tried that, even squirted a little engine start, no dice

[=cJ=]

i'm leaning more on the convinced it's the plugs side of the fence eevery moment, problem is i found out 30 mins after ripco or super crap auto closed.

You should be able to get away with cleaning up the old ones if they're just fouled. And do the gaps properly too :-)

[Icemaestro]

What did the plugs look like? I had that for a bit on mine a while back - the diaphragm on the fuel tap was buggered and the plugs were getting a little fouled (plus was winter and was running lean)..
From memory you can bypass the vacuum fuel pump problem (badly) by removing the vacuum tube from the carb, put a screw in it to block it off. You just need to make sure you turn the fuel tap off every time you turn the engine off.

[scracha]

What did the plugs look like? I had that for a bit on mine a while back - the diaphragm on the fuel tap was buggered and the plugs were getting a little fouled (plus was winter and was running lean)..
From memory you can bypass the vacuum fuel pump problem (badly) by removing the vacuum tube from the carb, put a screw in it to block it off. You just need to make sure you turn the fuel tap off every time you turn the engine off.


Clean the plugs - why bother. If you've went to the hassle of pulling them out then just replace them. Gawd only knows how old they are. Chances are they're fucked and will leave you stranded somewhere you don't want to be. You'll appreciate the better running and the fuel savings will pay for the new plugs anyway.

Backfires mean unburnt fuel so I'd say the fuel pump/filter are OK. Be unlikely to be all 4 plugs so I reckon you're barking up the wrong tree with the spark plug thing. Go back to basics, pull out each plug, earth it and check for a nice fat spark. If it's a pair of plugs then check the corresponding coil. Obviously check for fauly HT leads too.

Drain carbs and put in new fuel. Bump or tow start the fooker (might be battery/starter).

Compression test and/or check valve clearances. If its an early one they're screw and locknut and a piece of piss.

If it's been sat for ages it could just be a combination of all of the above.

[mikemike104]

any luck with it ?

[dynamite9585]

new plugs and an oil change and started first pop.
then mine started playing up :S turned out to be stale fuel, filled her with the good stuff and very little trouble since.

we have just got in from putting our first 30k's on our bikes :D:D:D

[mikemike104]

Good work guys that's gotta feel good :rockon:

[dynamite9585]

more drama :(

went for a quick trip down to KFC for a feed, got there to find during the trip my key had fallen out of my ignition....

managed to start it with a padlock key (this barrel is boned!!!) ogot home and walked the length of the trip looking for it.

home from the walk, have now pulled my ignition apart so i can hotwire it easily, will go see a lock smith tomorrow and get a new key made (and probably the barrel replaced.)

[sil3nt]

Where was the key lost?

[dynamite9585]

along grey street, between the KFC and claudelands show grounds.

forgive me for not being more specifiv considering i just posted that my bike is easily started without key at the moment.

[sil3nt]

along grey street, between the KFC and claudelands show grounds.

forgive me for not being more specifiv considering i just posted that my bike is easily started without key at the moment.Well its only a small area so i wouldn't give up looking. I would say its either in the carpark or in your driveway. Would take quite a big bump to send the key flying.

Key is rather loose in my bike as well and have wondered if it would ever go walkabouts.

[vindy500]

So what youre saying is perhaps buying 20 year old bikes wasnt the best idea?

[dynamite9585]

Well its only a small area so i wouldn't give up looking. I would say its either in the carpark or in your driveway. Would take quite a big bump to send the key flying.

Key is rather loose in my bike as well and have wondered if it would ever go walkabouts.

walked it twice (there and back), drove it twice (there and back). no sign.
quite possible someone walking across the street in one of the higher foot traffic areas saw a Jagermeister Lanyard and thought "I'll have that"
will go have another look tomorrow in sunlight, but i don't like my chances, will take the ignition down and get a new key made, or if they can pick the lock on my gas tank i'll get the lot re-tumbled

[dynamite9585]

So what youre saying is perhaps buying 20 year old bikes wasnt the best idea?

not saying that at all, just having a few teething problems you get with any older or even 2nd hand vehicle.

[pc220]

So what youre saying is perhaps buying 20 year old bikes wasnt the best idea?

Buying an older bike usually does come with some problems. Also a wealth of knowledge can be gained from keeping them on the road. Glass half full.

[nothingflash]

Clean the plugs - why bother. If you've went to the hassle of pulling them out then just replace them. Gawd only knows how old they are. Chances are they're fucked and will leave you stranded somewhere you don't want to be. You'll appreciate the better running and the fuel savings will pay for the new plugs anyway.

Backfires mean unburnt fuel so I'd say the fuel pump/filter are OK. Be unlikely to be all 4 plugs so I reckon you're barking up the wrong tree with the spark plug thing. Go back to basics, pull out each plug, earth it and check for a nice fat spark. If it's a pair of plugs then check the corresponding coil. Obviously check for fauly HT leads too.

Drain carbs and put in new fuel. Bump or tow start the fooker (might be battery/starter).

Compression test and/or check valve clearances. If its an early one they're screw and locknut and a piece of piss.

If it's been sat for ages it could just be a combination of all of the above.

+1 10 char

[mikemike104]

Jesus!, chin up guys :blink: everything will be fine... everyone has teething problems.:yes:

[dynamite9585]

Jesus!, chin up guys :blink: everything will be fine... everyone has teething problems.:yes:

yea i know, i'm fine with the small issues, it's stuff like loosing my key i wasn't prepared for.
just went for another look, still no joy.

[neels]

Bummer, you're not the first person that's happened to. Good to hear you got the bikes going.

You should be able to get a new key cut from code, and it will probably stay in better as it won't be as worn as the old one. Having as little as possible hanging off it will help too.

Don't plan any long rides, as a mate of mine found after he hotwired his bike when he lost the key you also need it to open the petrol cap......

[dynamite9585]

Don't plan any long rides, as a mate of mine found after he hotwired his bike when he lost the key you also need it to open the petrol cap......

got that covered, i can jimmiy it open with a small padlock key

[scracha]

got that covered, i can jimmiy it open with a small padlock key
Plenty of racers have discarded CBR ignition barrels.

[dynamite9585]

Plenty of racers have discarded CBR ignition barrels.

it's the GSXR that needs a barrel, someone just put one on TM for me, but he wants $60 for it.

sorry thought i posted in here that i had a key made from my barrel, only cost me $35 with 2 keys, Lockshmith says the barrel it's self is shot, and it's no wonder i lost the key. my key is now on a small chain with a clip on it to attach it to the bike when i'm riding, if it comes out worst it can do is move 25cm

[dynamite9585]

i know this has gone off topic, but it save cluttering the board with random threads.

pulled the GSXR to bits today trying to get the tacho working, turns out my tach is dead. but when i pulled the fuel tank off what did i find???? my bloody key!!!!!!!

now comparing it to the key i had cut from the barrel they are no where even close!!!! think the one i was supplied with was and old garage key....

anyway bought a 2nd hand tacho ($60 for the whole cluster) and it's working. idle is below 3k (lowest tacho will read) so i'm happy with that.

[Gibbo89]

idle is below 3k (lowest tacho will read) so i'm happy with that.

sounds about right, she's a high revving wee unit you've got there. so 3k is about right.

[neels]

sounds about right, she's a high revving wee unit you've got there. so 3k is about right.
According to the owners manual I stole off the internet, the correct idle speed is 1500-1700rpm, which is bloody hard to set on a tacho that starts at 3k!

[Gibbo89]

According to the owners manual I stole off the internet, the correct idle speed is 1500-1700rpm, which is bloody hard to set on a tacho that starts at 3k!

i stand corrected!

[dynamite9585]

According to the owners manual I stole off the internet, the correct idle speed is 1500-1700rpm, which is bloody hard to set on a tacho that starts at 3k!

yea takes a small twist to get a reading on the tach.

[Moooools]

i know this has gone off topic, but it save cluttering the board with random threads.

pulled the GSXR to bits today trying to get the tacho working, turns out my tach is dead. but when i pulled the fuel tank off what did i find???? my bloody key!!!!!!!

now comparing it to the key i had cut from the barrel they are no where even close!!!! think the one i was supplied with was and old garage key....

anyway bought a 2nd hand tacho ($60 for the whole cluster) and it's working. idle is below 3k (lowest tacho will read) so i'm happy with that.

Just read this thread. First thing that popped to mind was that your key would be under your tank. Bit late for that advice now though.:doh:

[Logpot]

Here are a couple of useful docs for your CBR.

My bike won't start

http://cbr250.com/forum/thread-60.html

Spark plug changing guide

http://cbr250.com/resources/plugguide/index.html

Enjoy:ride: