Hi guys, I just bought a 1986 ZL600 and am having some issues with it. According to the previous owner, the battery, plugs, and air filter were just replaced, and the carbs were cleaned just last fall. He bought it for his wife four years ago, but she didn't ride it very often. When I looked at, it started without issue, and I didn't have any problems over the next few days. I changed the oil and didn't have a problem getting it started right after that. I rode it about 20 miles and let it sit for around ten hours. After sitting, I couldn't get it to start. The motor was turning but just wouldn't fire. I ended up bump/run starting it, and it started right up.
I decided to change the plugs, to be safe, and found that he had D7EAs in it instead of the recommended D9EAs. The plug ends were clean, but the threads were fairly blackened. I put in four new NGK D9EAs. and it started without issue immediately afterward. I rode it 30 or so miles and let it sit overnight. When I tried to start it in the morning, I didn't have any luck (though I didn't try to run start it). I tried starting it again this morning, and it fired up in less than a second. I rode it 20 miles, and it started fine 6 hours later. I took it on an errand about a half mile away, and it started there and back. Now, however, it won't start again. I tried run starting it and cranking on the electric start with the choke wide open, to no avail. I think I completely drained the battery trying to get it to go this time. It's a newer looking Interstate battery. I have it out of the bike and trickle charging, crossing my fingers that it will work.
All of that being said, do you guys have any idea what the problem might be? I have no idea what to look at from here. Any sort of insight would be greatly appreciated.
I decided to change the plugs, to be safe, and found that he had D7EAs in it instead of the recommended D9EAs. The plug ends were clean, but the threads were fairly blackened. I put in four new NGK D9EAs. and it started without issue immediately afterward. I rode it 30 or so miles and let it sit overnight. When I tried to start it in the morning, I didn't have any luck (though I didn't try to run start it). I tried starting it again this morning, and it fired up in less than a second. I rode it 20 miles, and it started fine 6 hours later. I took it on an errand about a half mile away, and it started there and back. Now, however, it won't start again. I tried run starting it and cranking on the electric start with the choke wide open, to no avail. I think I completely drained the battery trying to get it to go this time. It's a newer looking Interstate battery. I have it out of the bike and trickle charging, crossing my fingers that it will work.
All of that being said, do you guys have any idea what the problem might be? I have no idea what to look at from here. Any sort of insight would be greatly appreciated.
Your carbs need a good cleaning.Sitting gas rots, decomposes, turns into varnish and goos up your carburetors. A small amount of gas, like a pint, can go bad in as little as two weeks.
