Problems Starting Bike - Kawasaki ZZR400 '92

[Adaptive]

Hello hello,

I haven't had a chance to post much on these forums yet, but a little bit of bike troubles is always a good time to start.

Anyway, I have a problem with my 1992 Kawasaki ZZR400 that started today. Basically, the bike refuses to start unless I let it sit for a while first, and only with the headlights off. It worked fine all day, but started doing this just after I brought her home. The lights and everything seem to be fine, and once the bike is running I have no problems, but each subsequent start is hard. Also, if I do not leave the bike off for long enough (cooldown?) the engine will try to turn over, but eventually the nothing will happen after trying the starter a few times, just a clicking noise instead of the usual whirring.

Any thoughts on this would be a great help. Also, if anyone knows where to get a Haynes manual for a '92 ZZR 400 that would be awesome as well!

[dino3310]

sounds like a battery problem to me but thats all i know about bike electrics,
welcome aboard

[FilthyLuka]

check your battery charge, top up electrolyte and leave it on a trickle charger overnight.

Hold the starter button on, it goes "click" then nothing happens. Don't let go of the button, grab a hammer, bash the starter motor. If the engine turns over then your starter motor brushes are probably worn, needa go get 'em replaced.

[Squiggles]

top up electrolyte and leave it on a trickle charger overnight.

Topup with Deionised water, not tap water

[F5 Dave]

Also disconnect the battery both sides before charging it.
Chances are it's on it's last legs.

Once it's running check the voltage over the battery, should be ~ 13/14V at a few revs.

But a duff battery could bring this down.

[Adaptive]

Yeah I've checked the battery and it's only reading about 10V, which actually drops down to 8 or so after trying the starter only briefly. The odd thing is that if I leave the bike alone for about 15 minutes I have just enough juice to start it with the headlights off. I guess it's off to the shop then...

[surfer]

+1 all been said, charge the battery.

You might also want to put a multimeter across the battery to see what it is currently holding. It should read 12v or thereabouts when engine not running.

[surfer]

Yeah I've checked the battery and it's only reading about 10V, which actually drops down to 8 or so after trying the starter only briefly. The odd thing is that if I leave the bike alone for about 15 minutes I have just enough juice to start it with the headlights off. I guess it's off to the shop then...

Shops, why you going to the shops?

Charge the battery and it will probably be ok unless of course it is knackered and doesn't hold a charge. But this might be because your charging system isn't up tot he job.

Charge the battery first.

[FROSTY:Me]

Battery is a good place to start--buy a new one.Even if the problem is elsewhere the battery is most likely none too healthy anyway