She no go

[Ped]

Hi Simon,

With # 1 and 4 plugs clean and dry it shouldn't be a flooding problem. 
Even if # 2 and 3 had been flooded at least # 1 and 4 should fire up. On 
the other hand when it caught briefly it shouldn't be an ignition 
problem either...?

Randy already suggested it's a flooding problem, giving the smell of 
gas. I tend to agree with him, but there may be an ignition problem 
also. This could also result in a smell of gas. I'll give you a couple 
of hints as to the ignition - maybe one of them will work.

- are you sure that your kill switch is in the "run" position? (Happened 
to me once :-[ ) Maybe the switch needs a little contact spray.
- are you sure your battery is in good condition? It may be able to 
crank the engine for some time, but the voltage required to ignite may 
be too low. This may be combined with:
- aging spark plug cables. This issue has been mentioned on this list 
before and also in the German GPZ 1100 Forum. Aging spark plug cables 
may cause rough running and starting problems.
- the side stand switch and the clutch switch may need cleaning and a 
little contact spray. A combination of malfunction in the two switches 
could cause no ignition
- have you installed an alarm with ignition cut-off? There could be a 
fault in the alarm or the wiring (also happened to me).

Hope this helps.

Ped
'96 "Black Stealth" GPZ
Denmark


Simon White skrev:
> Hi all,
>
> Time for me to rise from the world of lurk for an important question.  When I went to leave work yesterday, I couldn't get the bike started.  It turned over quite happily, but no kick, no nothing.
>
> Things I did:
> As there seemed to be a strong smell of petrol (or gas for the Norte Americanos), I tried cranking with no throttle or choke, then with full throttle.  Still no luck.  I did notice it cranked faster with the throttle full open - weird, but beside the point.
>
> I then removed the tank, and pulled # 1 & 4 plugs. They were clean and dry.  With them out, I cranked the bike over, and it actually caught briefly.  I reassembled everything, and was back to square one - turning over like crazy, but nothing else.  At this point the battery was starting to sound tired, so I put it back together and got a lift home.  But today I'm back with the car (and jumper leads) and wanting to figure this out, so any thoughts/suggestions people may have are most welcome.
>
> I'm baffled as to what's happened, as the bike was fine coming to work, and has always been ultra reliable.  I filled the tank two days ago, so if it was bad fuel it would have shown before this.  One thing I did notice is that the petcock has a steady trickle whether it's on or reserve, so might be time for a new kit.  I don't think that's a factor here - I'm just trying to include all my observations.
>
> If I can't get it started today, I'll be calling my mechanic, as I ride to work every day and hate bringing the car (this is the second time in 3 years I've driven to work).
>
> Help!
>
> Simon
> '95 GPz1100 - It's big, it's blue, it's quick.
> Melbourne, Australia
> Life is the flower for which love is the honey..
>
>
>