zx6r stalling

[flumpy7]

Hi all

I picked up a 1999 zx600r today. 18000 miles. Looks immaculate. It rides spot on too except for one thing....the engine stalls sometimes when i pull the clutch in to change gear. It either bumps back into action, or, if ive stopped can be restarted easily with one push of the button. It starts easy from cold and otherwise runs really smoothly.

Any obvious thoughts?

[Bikeless]

Faulty clutch switch?

[ricklincs45]

Does it cut-out if you pull the clutch in when the bike is stationary in neutral?

Does the problem go away once the engine warms up, or is it constant?

Once up to full working temperature, does she tick-over as she should?

Is your model fitted with carbs or injectors? If carbs, and the problem is constant, it could be that they're out of balance or the tick-over adjustment is slightly too low.

If problem goes away once engine is warm, could (theoretically) be carb icing, though I thought Kawasaki cured that problem some years ago (again, presuming you have carbs and not injectors) - a quick flick on t'internet suggests some of these bikes may still suffer from icing on cold, damp mornings.

Also, given the low mileage for the age of bike, it could be the pilot jets are partially blocked with evaporated petrol gum/glazing - though if she ticks-over perfectly when warm, I'd probably discount that theory.

Hope that's some help.

Rick
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Author '80 Bikes, and counting...' Currently getting frustrated with an MZ 125 TS.

[flumpy7]

Thanks guys

Not the clutch switch. Only does it when pulling the clutch whilst riding/slowing down.

It cuts out more often when the bike is cold but still does it occasionally when warmed up.I've noticed that even when it doesnt cut out the revs drop almost too low initially when pulling the clutch and then it bounces back up to idle speed.

It ticks over OK although bounces around a bit between 1000-1500 rpm. As i said, it rides beautifully, no flat spots, no backfiring etc...

Ive tried upping the idle speed a bit but this makes it hang at high revs when i rev it.

[ricklincs45]

I'd start by getting the carbs properly balanced - she shouldn't be deviating by nearly 500rpm at tickover. Virtually impossible to get an in-line 4 to tick-over at an exact, constant rpm, but I'd expect a fluctuation of around 100rpm max when warm.

If a carb balance doesn't cure the problem, you may need the pilot jets out to check their not blocked. An intake air leak could also cause similar problems.

By the sounds of the symptoms you're describing, I doubt this is an electrical fault/problem.
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Author '80 Bikes, and counting...' Currently getting frustrated with an MZ 125 TS.

[flumpy7]

In case anybody else gets the same symptoms - it was valve clearances, a little bit tight as it turns out. Spoke to kawasaki Bournemouth - apparently its common on that model. Runs like a dream now!

[ricklincs45]

Excellent, good to hear you've got her sorted!
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Author '80 Bikes, and counting...' Currently getting frustrated with an MZ 125 TS.