'95 GSX600F won't start

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

Hi, got my 1995 GSX600F yesterday, just had full service and I went out for an hour last night and it was starting and running fine. Tried to start it for work this morning and it ran for about 3 secs then died. Couldn't get it started again, its turning over but not starting. Not sure if I flooded it cos I used full choke at first and it screamed as soon as it started, so i turned it down to half choke then it died. I left it a while and tried again but couldn't get it started. Plugs are new, checked obvious things like kill switch etc. Got full tank of fuel. Do these bikes have a side stand cut out switch? It started fine yesterday with stand down. It's my first bike so I've not much experience of fixing bikes and I was looking fwd to riding it to work today so im pissed off! is there a simple way to check if the engine is getting fuel? I tried bumping it but i probably didnt get it rolling fast enough as it weighs a ton and the slope wasnt steep. is there anything simple i can check before taking it back to the garage?
cheers

arry · Super Spammer Joined: 03 Jan 2009 Karma :

If it is flooded you could always try flicking the fuel tap off and turning the engine over a fair bit to try to throw any unburnt fuel out, drying the plugs. Then switch the tap back and give it another go.

Does it sound like it's catching at all, or is it just turning over with no firing whatsoever? I'd be more inclined to test for spark before fuel TBH

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

It tried to fire first couple of times but now just turns over without firing. Apologies for all the questions, but(!):
- will it bump start if theres no spark? cos if I manage to bump it when i get home from work later i can rule this out (i think??)
- what's the easiest way to check for a spark? i've read about holding a plug close to the engine while turning it over. it will prbably take me ages to get to one of the plugs lol!
thanks

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

You can't turn the fuel off, its a vacuum operated tap. Turn the tap to prime and see if it makes a difference.

The GSXF's I've know have been a pig once flooded. Pretty much always had to take the plugs out, give them a good clean and then, personally, give them a good warm up with a blow torch.

It does have a sidestand and clutch switch which work inline with the neutral switch. Put the stand up, clutch in and make sure the neutral light comes on. You can bypass any of the switches by just shorting out the connector.

Get an old plug, any old one will do, connect it to one of the caps, earth the plug and turn the bike over to make sure there is a spark.

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

OK cheers, a lot to think about. I'm at work and bike is at home so ive got a few hours to look some of these things up on the net before i get home and try them.

Fuel tap is on, will try it on prime when i get back.

re: drain screws on carbs - no idea what / where these are but will search now.

marki, re: testing plugs for spark, forgive my ignorance but where are the plugs on my bike? Laughing

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

Drain screws are right on the bottom of the carbs.

Spark plugs are on the top of the engine. Without being condescending, the big finned bits at the front. You will see four wires going in the the cylinder head, the spark plug cap is on the end. Just pull them straight up to get the cap off the plug.

Where are you based, you might be able to get someone on here to give you a hand.

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

thanks marki, much appreciated. ive got no previous experience with bikes but intend to learn as much as poss now ive started riding. another potentially stupid question, can i get to the plugs without taking any of the plastics off? only asking cos im at work and bike is at home ( so i cant see it) and im thinking how long i'll need to do all these things later (just in case the wife wants to go out or something, i might need to pre warn her i'll be busy all night lol).

also, last one for now:where will i find the carbs? thanks v much in advance. i live near wigan btw. cheers

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

You need to take off one side of the main fairing, shouldn't take more than a couple of minutes.

The carbs are attached to the rear of the barrels. You won't miss them once the fairing is off. There are four of them and they are silver alloy coloured.

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

cheers, i'll have a go when i get back.

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

marki, just one more thing, how do i do this?:

'You can bypass any of the switches by just shorting out the connector'

thanks v much!

Ichy · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Jul 2005 Karma :

If you follow the wire that goes to a switch back to the loom you will come to a block connector. Just connect the two pins with a bit of wire.

kooga13 · Two Stroke Sniffer Joined: 14 Apr 2010 Karma :

Got home from work and the bike fired up first time, didnt use choke at all this time, so i reckon i'd flooded it in the morning with full choke when it wasn't needed. not sure if im being a bit paranoid but is it normal for a bike to start up fine from cold without any choke? thanks for all the info though, i'll know what to check next time it won't start!