Engine trouble kwak zzr

[fozzym]

Hey Guys,

I've been offered a Kwak zzr600 as a spares or repair job. I'm only interested as a winter project but I'm not much of a mechanic from the point of diognosing problems. I can fix them once I know whats what.

Anyway, so this bike is one of the very last to roll off the production line and only has 4000 miles on the clock. The fella wanting rid is the second owner and has hardly ridden it over the many years he's owned it hence the mileage. I reckon it's a genuine bike from looking at it.

Basically he says it's been running perfect and he's been going for a upto 10 mile run on a 2 weekly or monthly basis over the last year. However last week he tries to start it and has trouble getting it to fire up and when it does it backfires and runs real rough and then cuts out. He tries it some more and just gets explosions (his words) until the battery runs down. Apparently he's too afraid to try and start it again and just wants rid.

My initial thought is it must be something with the fuel/carburetion system. But the fact he doesn't want to touch it again and just wants it gone makes me worry that he's knows it's something worse.

I guess if I can get the bike for a song then even if it needs an engine you can pick them up for 3-500quid.

Any thoughts?

[CaNsA]

clean the carbs and use fresh posh fuel.

jobsagoodun

[mentalboy]

^^^ Wot 'e said!

If it's anything like the 1100, it will keep backfiring big stylee if you keep winding the motor over and it's not starting. Old fuel is the most likely culprit - 4000, FFS it's barely run in! - and I'd be inclined to dump a can of generic carb cleaner in the fuel rather than strip it down (at least initially, although it could probably do with it as it will have spent long periods sitting).
Then once it's running take it out regularly and knock the knackers off it
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Make mine a Corona.

[fozzym]

Thanks guys, I think I'm going to take a punt on it. My initial though was something to do with fuel/carb. Hopefully it'll be a quick fix and I'll have a cracking bike for little money.

[temeluchus]

You might get away with simply draining the float bowls and topping the tank off with fresh fuel.

I'd change the oil as a matter of course as it has been flooded.
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Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[fozzym]

If I end up buying it then I'll do a full service on it and ditch all the old fuel and clean and reset the carbs.

[stickybackbob]

Check the fuel pump relay too. Can go dodgy with no warning giving the impression of carb problems.