Bike in flames

**pete376403** · 24th February 2010, 20:25

If your KZ uses Mikuni CV type carbs (most bikes of that era did except Honda - they used Keihin) there is a series of instructions (with very detailed pictures) about carbs at http://www.thegsresources.com/gs_carbrebuild.htm
Have a look and even if you have no intention of pulling the things apart yourself you'll have a better idea of what goes where.

**jonbuoy** · 25th February 2010, 09:14

No need to use Easy Start on a bike thats flooding - Its handy if you think it might not be getting fuel just to see it fires on the ether but putting in an engine thats flooding or running rich is asking for trouble. If its flooded in the past I would pull the plugs, dry and clean them and get the flooding sorted.

**motorbyclist** · 25th February 2010, 11:48

Originally Posted by Ratti

Have been having trouble getting bike going. Squirt of engine start in the air filiter and all good.
except for a while back when flames shot out and set one or two things on fire.

flames shot out from where? If it was the exhaust then you're clearly running rich or maybe have a spark issue, but if it was the intake then we're talking valves and/or valve timing (had this happen to myself with an XR200 that somehow would run with everything 180 degrees out! no fire though... damn.)

aside from that, engine start goes straight into the intake or carb mouth, not the filter! the idea isn't so much to start your engine but more to prove it runs when given fuel

**avgas** · 25th February 2010, 12:24

If its not starting you do not - spray ether and fire it up. Chances are you have flooding everything and just added the final bit of fuel for a bit of an explosion. (sounds like "pop-BANG", usually followed by a flame somewhere)
So if it hasn't started for about 3 or more attempts and you have been using the choke - let it sit a while, kill the choke then try the ether.

Check idle screws as well as they may be too tight or loose.
Without more information that is all the info I can offer

**Edbear** · 25th February 2010, 12:37

Originally Posted by Smifffy

Sorry - mention of ether reminds me of Fear & Loathing in las vegas (movie) and happy friday afternoons in the lab where I worked (misspent youf) before OSH went mad

Reminds me of having my tonsils out. In the old days they used that horrible ether mask, started it dripping and said,"Count after me". Most people were out by the count of ten. I can remember saying, "19" but Mum says I did get to 20, the Doc was getting worried.

Since then I've only used it on diesel engines...

**Ratti** · 25th February 2010, 15:00

Thanks guys, Im beginning to get a clear picture of the stupidity of what I did. Flames out of the air filter inlet. set the filter on fire.

Gotta learn somehow tho eh?

**Edbear** · 25th February 2010, 17:59

Originally Posted by Ratti

Thanks guys, Im beginning to get a clear picture of the stupidity of what I did. Flames out of the air filter inlet. set the filter on fire.

Gotta learn somehow tho eh?

Yeah, the common definition of "burnout" is not quite what you did...

**Ratti** · 25th February 2010, 18:02

*shudder* pssst Ed, tell you what mate. It was bloody scary. burnout was exactly what was going through my mind, bike, shed, house....

**FJRider** · 25th February 2010, 18:22

A few things I'd check first ...Plug gap ... Point's gap (CDI unit ???) Timing ???? ... Battery strength (a sick battery wont have enough kick to turn the motor over fast enough to provide enough spark to start)

I'd look at the battery first ... then the gaps ...

**Edbear** · 25th February 2010, 18:52

Originally Posted by Ratti

*shudder* pssst Ed, tell you what mate. It was bloody scary. burnout was exactly what was going through my mind, bike, shed, house....

Yeah, I can see why you might get a wee bit apprehensive...

Originally Posted by FJRider

A few things I'd check first ...Plug gap ... Point's gap (CDI unit ???) Timing ???? ... Battery strength (a sick battery wont have enough kick to turn the motor over fast enough to provide enough spark to start)

I'd look at the battery first ... then the gaps ...

Not that you want to fill in the gaps in this case...

**FJRider** · 25th February 2010, 18:56

Originally Posted by Edbear

Not that you want to fill in the gaps in this case...

At MY age ... if ya see a gap .... never let a chance go by ....

**FROSTY:Me** · 12th March 2010, 14:18

Next startup I'd be intrerested to hear how you go using a set of jumper leads from the van and 1/4 choke no throttle.
Not that I know about big old bikes

**Ratti** · 13th March 2010, 17:14

cheeky sod!
Got it sorted with a new battery.
Seems to not be charging while the bike is running tho.
Guess it requires further detective work. o well I have a tickle charger that I can leave on the battery.

**motorbyclist** · 13th March 2010, 19:34

Originally Posted by Ratti

cheeky sod!
Got it sorted with a new battery.
Seems to not be charging while the bike is running tho.
Guess it requires further detective work. o well I have a tickle charger that I can leave on the battery.

so... no spark was the problem then? :slap:

your regulator/rectifier may well be shot; get it checked...