ZXR400 doesn't sound quite right

[spike_Alike]

Bit of a weird one. I was taking a mate home when the bike ran out of fuel. Didn't think it was a big deal untill I discovered the reserve tap apparently does nothing. We ditch the bike where it should be safe and walk to get petrol (5 mile walk, ouch in bike boots)

Anyway, it starts up again but doesn't sound right at all. It's all garbled and lumpy and doesn't quite feel right riding. I just know something isn't right.

But it was running perfectly before we ran out of fuel, I don't understand how it can go wrong when I'm not even riding it!

(And I definatly didn't put the wrong fuel in ! )
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Bandit 600

[tutton]

If its a metal tank, could be rust
or all tanks get some sediment at the bottom, which is like basically like gritty shit, this is why most people never run their tanks to the bottom as it forces this sediment to be sucked up like it were petrol, maybe its clogged up your fuel lines, or carb if its a carbed bike.
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Past: '05 Peugeot XPS '99 Aprillia RS125 '94 FZR600R
Current: '02 ZX636 A1P '51 CCM R30

[ms51ves3]

It should have filters inside on the fuel tap so the sedment can't get into the fuel lines and down the carbs. What it could have done is clogged up the filters. Best thing to do would be to drain all the fuel out of the tank and take the tap off and have a look. Clean it if there is anything around it, fit it again and see if the problem is cured.

If the pipes don't have filters on then what Tutton said could be the problem.

Also to stop it happening in the future take your tank off the bike and you can use a few ball bearings in the tank to knock off any loose rust and dirt on the inside of the tank, then rinse it out with some petrol.

When doing the above you're best taking the fuel tap off so that the ball bearings don't smack into it.

Then buy a fuel filter off eBay and fit that in between your fuel line which will then catch any dirt and crap trying to get to your carbs.

[spike_Alike]

Nice one guys, I'll have a look at it today whilst its dry out
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Bandit 600

[Pie-Roe]

It may not be rust, simply crud and mulch. If so, there are additives you can buy reasonably cheap to clean out a fuelling system, such as silkolene. If you say it only happened after you switched it to reserve, it could make sense that it is only the reserve fuel line is blockaged with the crap, and when you put new fuel in with reserve still on you pushed this further down the system.
Friend had this with his RVF ( think it was an RVF), It was annoying because we were really far from services. He had plenty of fuel left, you could see it, but it was a bit murky and horrible looking. Every time he went to reserve it would cough, splutter and have very little power, and it would continue for a good 2 miles after filling up and switching back to normal because there would be some crap forced down the system. He used some sort of fuel system cleaner like I mentioned and after using it through three tanks its fine.

Pyro
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[Fisty]

Right, sounds like you had the same problem as me last year with my zxr 400. Water in the fuel.

When you switched it to reserve (the lowest point in the tank) a small amount of water got into the carbs.

Drain the fuel tank and carbs completely and start again with fresh petrol.

Dont suppose you need and zxr 400 parts do you?

Tom.
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Quietly and consistently taking the piss.
TL1000R | Hayabusa | ZXR400 | TL1000S | Bandit 400 V
Fatter and faster than Fret

[spike_Alike]