Zzr600 (2001) starting problem

Tonyg1987 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 18 Feb 2017 Karma :

Hey guys I'm having a problem with my bike, it WILL not start first time. At first I thought it was the battery but it now has a brand new one fitted and still the problem continues. It only happens on a cold start, and happens with or with choke. It will make a sound like it's trying to start but the battery is dead, so I turn the ignition off, leave it 10 seconds and try again and it always starts second attempt with a bit of throttle. Once started, I can turn it off and the bike will restart every time after that. I set the petrol switch in the off position overnight, I have no idea if that has anything to do with it, but I have to because the bike floods and will make a bang/explosion sound if left for a long time with the petrol on. Any ideas? I'm due to get the carbs balanced, have the plugs changed and check if the fuel mixture is set right, but I'm at a loss here, I'm just repairing stuff at random until I find the problem.

Nobby the Bastard · Harley Gaydar Joined: 16 Aug 2013 Karma :

CaNsA · Super Spammer Joined: 02 Jan 2008 Karma :

Leave the tap set to ON
Try it.
Replace fuel filter
Clean the carbs before you get them balanced
Replace the HT leads

That's what I would try, in that order.

RhynoCZ · Super Spammer Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Karma :

Something that's on my mind and haven't been mentioned yet, check the choke is actually working. I have experienced this before, the choke cable was slack and wouldn't apply the choke fully. Very hard to cold start the engine. I even started to use ether, for the bike not to get high.
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'87 Honda XBR 500, ~~'96 Kawasaki ZX7R P1~~, ~~'90 Honda CB-1~~, ~~'88 Kawasaki GPz550~~, ~~MZ 150 ETZ~~
~~'95 Mercedes-Benz w202 C200 CGI~~, '98 Mercedes-Benz w210 E200 Kompressor

Tonyg1987 · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 18 Feb 2017 Karma :

jaffa90 · World Chat Champion Joined: 06 Apr 2016 Karma :

If the battery is ok then check the connections at the other ends of the battery leads.

johnsmith222 · World Chat Champion Joined: 26 Dec 2008 Karma :

I'd focus on fixing the flooding issue first imo. Get the carbs off, give them a clean, but also inspect the needles, seats etc.

When it does start, does it run on 3 cylinders for a bit?

Find out which cylinder/s is flooding. Should help get an idea of what's wrong when you have the carbs off.

If it clicks and doesn't turn, sounds to me like it's the flooding that's the problem.

I know cos I have the same issue on my 9R. Just haven't got round to fixing it yet.