Possible Fuel/Carb problem
Posted: Mon Jun 24, 2013 1:26 am
HI, I got a Stock-Standard '96 ZXR400 not too long ago and had a few minor problems before (All related to the battery/electrics) few days ago I took a roadtrip and got a good 70+ km on the clock in this trip, then lost power, clutch in to gear down and revs died, bike was Dead in the water, released the clutch and it revived itself, but died as soon as we got to a standstill on the shoulder of the road.
This after running fine for a good few days and doing a good few km's per day.
Now, I have 2 hypotheses on why this happened, but I would really appreciate any help whatsoever on this regard.
1) Rectifier/electrics. It might be a problem with something along the Electronics line, but also doubt it, because it worked fine and then all of a sudden just died, lights still on, starter swings, it just doesn't turn over.
2) (and likely the problem the more I think of it) it was an imported bike to South Africa and has never had to be turned to reserve tank so far. I rode it to see how far I can stretch a tank and turned it to reserve when I initially thought it ran out. Could it be that a little chunk of dirt or rust (Tank is pretty crappy looking inside) got into the fuel filter/carbs/valves and choked the engine that way? Would explain why there is petrol, but no acceleration when she broke down on me.
If I'm overlooking something (Going to try and get her checked out tomorrow) please let me know and explain to a complete noob with mechanics. I mean I can strip the bike down and put her back together given the proper tools (Torque wrench and elbow grease) and if I really had to, but that is useless if I don't know what I'm looking for and if I don't know what it should look like even when it is squeaky clean and working like a charm.
Please, any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Kai
This after running fine for a good few days and doing a good few km's per day.
Now, I have 2 hypotheses on why this happened, but I would really appreciate any help whatsoever on this regard.
1) Rectifier/electrics. It might be a problem with something along the Electronics line, but also doubt it, because it worked fine and then all of a sudden just died, lights still on, starter swings, it just doesn't turn over.
2) (and likely the problem the more I think of it) it was an imported bike to South Africa and has never had to be turned to reserve tank so far. I rode it to see how far I can stretch a tank and turned it to reserve when I initially thought it ran out. Could it be that a little chunk of dirt or rust (Tank is pretty crappy looking inside) got into the fuel filter/carbs/valves and choked the engine that way? Would explain why there is petrol, but no acceleration when she broke down on me.
If I'm overlooking something (Going to try and get her checked out tomorrow) please let me know and explain to a complete noob with mechanics. I mean I can strip the bike down and put her back together given the proper tools (Torque wrench and elbow grease) and if I really had to, but that is useless if I don't know what I'm looking for and if I don't know what it should look like even when it is squeaky clean and working like a charm.
Please, any guidance would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers
Kai