1990 ZXR A - Starting issues

[Hex]

Hi Guys,

Pulled the bike apart on Sunday e.g. Pulled all the fairing off to find where important bits are. Looks like Im going to need to take a trip to a tool shop, as there were a few nuts/bolts missing.

Now to my question, I have heard there are many 'tricks' to starting your bike. I seem to have a problem starting it sometimes. When I get up in the morning and go to work, I take off the cover, pull clutch in, little choke and start after about the 3-4 cycle it starts, I then leave the choke on a bit for a few min the head to work.

When I go out riding and the bike is hot it usually starts on the 5-6 cycle (thats with no clutch or choke). I am fine with the 'little tricks' but is there something I can do to minimise me have to perform each time I start it? Battery? Spark Plug?

Thanks in advance.

[xwhatsit]

Didn't you already post about this here: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?t=48949 ? Although this is probably a more sensible place to write about it.

By `cycles', do you mean each time the engine turns over? If so, then that isn't all that bad. For some reason (higher state of tune?) bikes seem to always be a little more finicky about starting. I have a kickstart bike with a completely different set of issues, but when I hear those with sportsbikes (CBRs, ZXRs etc) at uni starting up, you always hear the starter motor working for a little bit before they crack.

Having the battery fully charged is something. You hear of people with old batteries with lots of resistance, or batteries which are less than fully charged (e.g. short commute with lights on), and although they have enough power to turn the engine over well, they don't have the little bit extra to provide a good spark. Replacing the spark plugs is never a silly idea, either; in all likelihood quite cheap too (my plugs are $7 each. You have four cylinders, though). My starting issues are caused directly by the plug being shitted (indirectly due to poor carburettion).

Plugs do crap out over time, and the bike will run fine with slightly worn out plugs, but starting puts a bit more stress upon the ignition system.

All in all though I wouldn't bother. 3-4 cycles isn't really that bad, from hearing other ZXR250s at uni. The hot starting could be you just need to find the bike's own starting `trick', the right choke setting (shouldn't need any when engine is hot, but you never know). Experiment, you'll learn it in time.

Lastly, what's the clutch all about? You're not starting it in gear, are you?

[Hex]

Cheers xerxesdaphat, yer thought this would be a better place to post. :)

As for the clutch, not sure why but that was what I was told when I bought it and for cold starts it works. Just those 'hot' starts it seems to take longer than cold. :S

[R6_kid]

its a 17 year old bike that has probably been thrashed its whole life (i mean all the ZXR/CBR's i know of have been) so i wouldnt expect it to be 100%

In saying that mine used to start up sweet first time, was a bit harder on hot starts all the time, my mates bike was the opposite.

Fresh plugs and a healthy battery would probably help out a bit, running 91 gas in it wouldnt be a bad idea (thats what i was told to run), but why invest in $160 odd just to make it start a bit better for a few weeks?

[xwhatsit]

Any second opinions on the clutch method he speaks of? I've never heard of that before.

[FROSTY]

My thoughts--given its hARDER to start hot than cold is its in need of valve adjustment--Ie the valves are loose and tight so the tight valves are closing up when its hot.
I also suspect a dicky battery.
I must say digfferent bikes need different throttle response on startup-some need deat closed throttle -some prefrer a lil snapof throttle on fireup

[Ixion]

Many Suzuki models require the clutch lever to be pulled in to start, even when in neutral. I do not know if Kawasakis share this irritating and pointless foible.

[Hex]

Its starting fine now. :S I guess its just learning the trick to start it, seems Engine start, No Choke, No Throttle starts it. Blam!