1985 fz400r wont start, dry plugs

[nestor555]

Right I came to the bike this morning to turn it over and it started to turn over sluggish and then turned over fine, didn't start but I was concerned with the sluggish initial start.what could this be? Atm I'm borrowing a batthery from my cbr600 to start it.

[Evilchicken0]

Might just be the initial turn.

If the CBR is around use some jump leads - start the cbr's engine leave it on choke so it idles quick then try starting the 400.

[willandrip]

As above plus;

You are trying to start something that has not ran for a long time by the sound of things or even been spun over.
Most engine components will be a bit "sticky" inc. starter motor.
Sluggish initially could also be partially flooded cylinders that cleared.
You need a good battery that sustains amps and volts to start a "mothballed" Fzr 400 type engine..



Jump leads are the way forward.

[nestor555]

Well I've got the jump leads out and she's still a no go

[willandrip]

Nestor; you need to reply to the previous questions that have been asked !

Have you done the float levels ?
Are you using starting fluid ?
Are the low tension wires going to the correct coils?
Are the plugs now wet ?
When it was popping and banging was it running or just igniting fuel in the carbs/exhaust ?
Are the correct pair of plug leads going to the correct cylinders ?
Are you getting a fat blue spark on all plugs?

I already know the next answer but will ask anyhow !
Have you a compression tester?
Can you do a valve clearance check?

[Evilchicken0]

Sounds like it's all pointing to one thing doesn't it ... time to buy the manual

[Kayla850]

My coils have a red and white cable to both and a orange to one and a grey to the other, everything seems fine but still no joy, not running but still popping.

Try swapping the plug leads over- 1 & 4 to 2 & 3 and vice versa. The wrong leads on the wrong plugs (or the wrong wires on the wrong coils) will give pops and some quite spectacular bangs. It's a quick and easy thing to eliminate.

[nestor555]

Nestor; you need to reply to the previous questions that have been asked !

Have you done the float levels ?
Are you using starting fluid ?
Are the low tension wires going to the correct coils?
Are the plugs now wet ?
When it was popping and banging was it running or just igniting fuel in the carbs/exhaust ?
Are the correct pair of plug leads going to the correct cylinders ?
Are you getting a fat blue spark on all plugs?

I already know the next answer but will ask anyhow !
Have you a compression tester?
Can you do a valve clearance check?

Yes set the floats
Yep tried starting fluid
Yes coils are wired correctly
Plugs are wet
Havnt had it running at all but pops and bangs
Plugs leads are now in correct order
Got a fat blue spark
Don't have a compression tester, did but it busted
And yes I can do Valve clearances

[willandrip]

The one thing I did not ask about was the age of the fuel but by your
previous answers I think it will be recent.

If no signs of starting;do a valve clearance check.
Popping and banging in the exhaust indicate it is very near to starting.
The plugs foul very easy.
Clean them again,get them hot,use starter fluid and jump leads.
Full choke ; no throttle.

[nestor555]

The one thing I did not ask about was the age of the fuel but by your
previous answers I think it will be recent.

If no signs of starting;do a valve clearance check.
Popping and banging in the exhaust indicate it is very near to starting.
The plugs foul very easy.
Clean them again,get them hot,use starter fluid and jump leads.
Full choke ; no throttle.

Yep fuels fresh, ill keep trying tomorrow, all the simple stuff seems to be alliminated.