Damned thing won't go!

[magicmonkey]

is the zxr the one wher you have to balance the carbs?
something to do with the vacuum in them or something like that.

I figure I'll have to balance the carbs but I thought that had to be done with the engine running, I could be wrong there though, I'm a complete beginner with this stuff!

[CookMySock]

Is there a fuel smell at the exhaust tailpipe?

Be careful using easy start sprays, as they are really flammable.. as has been noted, take the airbox off using start sprays in case it backfires through the carbs. BOOOM!

Steve

[CookMySock]

Is there a fuel smell at the exhaust tailpipe?

Be careful using easy start sprays, as they are really flammable.. as has been noted, take the airbox off using start sprays in case it backfires through the carbs. BOOOM!

Steve

[MSTRS:Me]

All multi-carbed engines need the carbs 'balanced'. All it means is that the carbs all do the same thing, at the same time. Out of balance won't stop the engine running...but it won't perform properly.
Someone said earlier that all an engine needs to work is, compression, fuel and spark. As long as all those are present, and in the right quantities/time - then it'll go.
You just need to figure out what isn't being supplied...

[magicmonkey]

well, I'm now the proud owner of a brand new can of 'start ya bastard' and I'm all prepared to get the bastard started tonight Just a shame I don't have internet at home at the moment as I'll have no idea what to do next if it doesn't work!

[magicmonkey]

Would compression loss cause the engine to not catch at all? I would have thought it would catch and then splutter out of existence maybe, depending on how much compression was being lost that is. That's just a guess based on my somewhat limited knowledge of engines tough, would be great to knwo the right answer!

[kevfromcoro]

i bore washed that cbr.
left it ideling with the choke on
wouldnt start.
cranked it over. then all the unburnt fuel ignited in the pipe
blew the baffle clean over the neighbours fence.

[BoristheBiter]

Would compression loss cause the engine to not catch at all? I would have thought it would catch and then splutter out of existence maybe, depending on how much compression was being lost that is. That's just a guess based on my somewhat limited knowledge of engines tough, would be great to knwo the right answer!

this is why i just give it to someone else to fix.
If you have spark and gas it should start, if the compresion is low it should still try and start.
i think the only other thing is what has been said earlier and put some fuel direct into the engine via the carb throat (if not try the plug).
it might be the timing, but again it should try and go. i've not worked on a bike like this so not to sure but it does sound fuel related.

you are right it does need to be running to balance the carbs so forget that.

[magicmonkey]

i bore washed that cbr.
left it ideling with the choke on
wouldnt start.
cranked it over. then all the unburnt fuel ignited in the pipe
blew the baffle clean over the neighbours fence.

lol, so I'd better be a bit careful when starting it then!! I'll remember to check the exhaust for petrol smells before I try and crank it over methinks ...

[magicmonkey]

this is why i just give it to someone else to fix.
If you have spark and gas it should start, if the compresion is low it should still try and start.
i think the only other thing is what has been said earlier and put some fuel direct into the engine via the carb throat (if not try the plug).
it might be the timing, but again it should try and go. i've not worked on a bike like this so not to sure but it does sound fuel related.

you are right it does need to be running to balance the carbs so forget that.

Sweet. I kinda worked out that it was either fuel or air not getting down there and as there's nothing blocking the airflow at the moment it has to be fuel. Still left me with bugger all idea how to fix it!

Hopefully I'll be able to get a 'vrooom' with the easy-start and then I can take the carbs apart again safe in the knowledge that they're the problem, at least I'll have somewhere to start from then rather than shooting in the dark like I am now....

[blackdog]

just a thought, but are your HT leads connected to the correct plugs?

if your firing order is wrong it would definately not want to start

[magicmonkey]

just a thought, but are your HT leads connected to the correct plugs?

if your firing order is wrong it would definately not want to start

yup, numbered the leads as they came out and double checked them against the manual before they went back in, that's probably the only thing which I know I've done right!!

[MSTRS:Me]

A simple way to 'check' compression is to put the bike in first gear, and try to turn the engine over by turning the back wheel. Either by hand (you'll need someone to help, or a rear paddock stand) OR just push the bike . If your wheel won't turn, then you have plenty of compression. OTOH if it turns fairly easily, then...
However, I am picking that your problem is fuel-related.

[TimeOut]

Is the fuel cock set to prime.

Kill switch? must be on if you have spark.

They can be hard to start sometimes, used easy start many times but if it was left for a week or more seemed to start better on prime.

[magicmonkey]

A simple way to 'check' compression is to put the bike in first gear, and try to turn the engine over by turning the back wheel. Either by hand (you'll need someone to help, or a rear paddock stand) OR just push the bike . If your wheel won't turn, then you have plenty of compression. OTOH if it turns fairly easily, then...
However, I am picking that your problem is fuel-related.

sweet, that's something I've done already and the rear wheel won't turn in first but will in neutral with the clutch out (I thought that might have been a test for a seized engine though, right test, wrong idea!!)