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| Zephyr 1100 Problem; Electrical | |
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| Topic Started: Jul 7 2010, 04:23 PM (852 Views) | |
| Zephyr Eleven | Jul 7 2010, 04:23 PM Post #1 |
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About 8 weeks ago I asked a local motorcycle MOT place if they would collect my Zeph, service it and replace both tyres. The bike had stood for a few months and the battery had gone flat, the bike was running fine before I parked it up. The guy has had the bike 8 weeks, I kept ringing him weekly and asking if he had sorted it and he said he couldn't get a spark. I left it with him as he said he was sorting coils out etc etc The upshot is he is returning my bike tomorrow - still not running as he can't sus out what the problem is. I don't really have the time to start trying to fix iit hence handing ot over to a motorcycle mechanic. Seems I have two choices either I make the time or I try another mechanic, I live in Teesside and wondered if anyone on here could recommend one - if not - has anyone had experience of this problem and knows where to start? Later ZE |
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| andy-750 | Jul 7 2010, 08:27 PM Post #2 |
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clean out your carbs , when it was sat the fuel in the carbs would have evaporated and left a residue in the jets and airways stopping it fueling properly 
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| faster in black | |
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| Zephyr Eleven | Jul 8 2010, 04:34 PM Post #3 |
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The bloke who had it in his shop said he couldn't get a spark, he said he had checked the usual things coils, side stand switch etc - he said he had cleaned the carbs for the reasons you mentione failing miserably to get it to run. I have just been out to have a tinker and turned it over it made a very slight attempt at running just a beat but no luck optimism more than anything. I am going to spend some time over the weekend - plugs out, go back over the obvious etc and will report back - I think from what the guy said it sounds as if it is electrical - time will tell. |
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| andy-750 | Jul 8 2010, 06:08 PM Post #4 |
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if it makes an attempt to run it must be sparking , try changing the plugs and if that doesnt work then do the carbs , doesn't sound like it was a competant mechanic looking at it if he can't get a spark yet it tries for to start you so would be best to ignore what he said/did to your bike and start from scratch |
| faster in black | |
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| phibbieman | Jul 8 2010, 06:35 PM Post #5 |
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it could be your battery is u/s. most of the battery power goes to starting your engine then the rest to your ignition system. phibbieman |
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| Zephyr Eleven | Jul 9 2010, 04:53 PM Post #6 |
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The battery seems ok plenty of life in it - everything electrical works fine, had the plugs out and turned it over - no spark at the plugs whatsoever. I have disconnected the side stand switch and joined the wires - still nothing. I have a neutral light - and pulled the clutch lever whilst turning it over - still no spark at the plugs. Unplugged and reconnected the obvious connections - no spark. |
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| Zephyr Eleven | Jul 9 2010, 06:11 PM Post #7 |
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Just realised this should have been in the tech bit. Any how I had a multimeter across the battery - 12.5v. Checked the front brake switch, 12.5v. I have cut both wires leading to the side stand switch and tested them the reading was 0.45v. That does not seem right surely it should be 12.5v - need to establish if there is a relay somewhere problem is the wiring is hard to trace. |
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| 4speed | Jul 16 2010, 08:55 PM Post #8 |
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you could still have 12.5 v in the battery and not enough amperage stored up to do any good my guess is the carbs also and if thats the case (mine does it after a month or so) you will need to replace the pilot jets. The carb cleaners out there today just don't cut the residue any more. I had my carbs of and totally disassembled 4 times trying to fix the problem (even soaked them in a vat of carb cleaner for 3 days). Finally gave up and replaced the jets the 5th time.....ran perfect (went up 1 size too). You can order all kinds of card stuff thru SUDCO. I would suggest new plugs for the heck of it. Are you sure all 8 coil wires are on the correct cylinders and the power wires to the coils are correct also? |
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| Zephyr Eleven | Jul 19 2010, 06:18 PM Post #9 |
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Update - Been right through the electrical system and have to say the wiring is pristine - not bad for an 18 year old bike. Narrowed it down to the igniter, the power goes in as it should but the readings coming out are not right. There is also a grey wire from the ignition switch that is putting out 6v, need to check with Kawasaki to see if that is right. I am on the lookout for a ignitor box to see if that makes any difference, it is made by Mitsubishi so suspect it is a standard bit of kit - ebay here I come. I will also change the jets as I suspect they will need it - cheers for the advice. |
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| 4speed | Jul 21 2010, 02:58 PM Post #10 |
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you can get parts for any carb at SUDCO.com |
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| Zephyr Eleven | Aug 11 2010, 11:48 AM Post #11 |
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Problem is now sorted - £125 for a replacement CDI unit runs like a dream.  A new one was going to be over £400.  What confuses me is the bike ran ok then was garaged for a bit then no spark, very odd , I hate electrickery. |
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| yanto | Aug 18 2010, 04:07 PM Post #12 |
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if your battery was knackered it could be the mechanic jump started it and shorted against the frame that could fry the cdi box if you want to clean your carbs buy a jewellery sonic cleaner around £40 that's what i use and they come out like new |
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