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Bike turns over but wont start

37K views 17 replies 11 participants last post by  bladeracer  
#1 ·
I just bought a 95 cbr 900 and the guy i bought it from said it needed a battery and it should run. It has a new battery but it just turns over wont start just get a little popping out of the exhaust. I took the spark plugs out and they were all black so I cleaned them but does the same thing. Anyone have any ideas?
 
#2 ·
Any idea how long the bike sat without running? The plugs were black you said, so assuming they weren't wet, it's likely not getting fuel. If it hasn't run for a year or so, you'll have to empty the fuel tank and drain the carbs. Try fresh gas and new spark plugs. Make sure the fuel tap is on and fuel is flowing into the carbs. Also be sure your choke is closing when you move the lever. Check to be certain kill switch is in the run position. Charge battery so you have good cranking power.
 
#3 ·
Dont over run your starter motor or you could risk burning it out.

Was there soot/gunk on the plugs or were they wet with fuel? The petrol may have become gummy over time and just need to be cleaned out of the system.

Is the popping related to the engine flooded? And have you checked for a spark? If the battery is low, the engine will struggle to start even if it turns over.
 
#5 ·
I would start at the begining of the fuel system, drain the fuel tank completely ,remove fuel lines and check they are clear from obstructions in fact take this as a good time to replace them as the old ones are getting on a bit.Remove and replace fuel filter and finally the carbs will need to be cleaned out as they are proberly gummed up in the float bowl and the jets as well.Fit new spark plugs and charge the battery ,put fresh fuel in and you should be ok.
This is not the first time I've heard of or seen a fuel system gummed up dispite stabilizer being used . The cause is normally the stabilizer is added to the tank but for some reason the owner doesn't run the fuel through the carbs or injectors resulting in what I think we have here.Gummed jets and float bowels and neddle valve,fuel filters etc
 
#8 ·
You can also run your engine for about 10 minutes after adding the stabalizer to be sure it is in the entire fuel system. Leave the fuel in the carbs if the storage isn't much beyond a year. If it is, then drain the fuel bowls in the case of carbs. There should be a screw in the bottom of each fuel bowl. On Injected models just run it the same, shut it down, then leave it. I believe this procedure should work just fine.
 
#10 ·
I had this problem a few weeks ago on my 98 fireblade,i hadn,t used it for a few days,same symptoms, it was a very cold morning(not sure if that applies over there)when it did fire up(after giving battery good charge)it ticked over at 2500 rpm no choke,it had been fine couple of days earlier,i start mine with no throttle it seems to flood easily otherwise(pops and bangs down exhaust)once fired up i then give it choke,no more trouble since , sorry cannot offer anything more good luck.