ZX2R problems

[zx2rnub]

Hey, i am brand new to the site, my name is Marco and all my housemates ride bikes so i thought it was about time i get one. They always say how much fun the have.

So i bought a '91 zx2r on friday and i rode it today for the first time. At first it was running fine, i was just int he car park learning and then it started stalling at low revs. got it to work a few times then coolant started leaking from the bottom, so i thought it was overheating then i left it off for about 20min then it started again and no problems.

then i rode to a car park about 10km away and it stalled 3-4 times on my way there, when i got there the headlights weren't working anymore not even the high beams. i always have to push start it and when i stop i have to keep the revs a bit higher to stop it from stalling. the other thing is i think there is something wrong with the electrics as well because at the end when i put the indicator on it flickered really fast.

When i bought it the guy had to charge up the battery for it to run so i imagine it needs a new battery but it seems like i need to maybe clean out the carbies? and get it serviced?

any help would be greatly appreciated

[Frogger]

above the front sprocket there is an idle adjuster " a black knob" which u turn to change the idle. try increasing it and see if it help's . whats your current idle at ? .

if its been sitting then u should clean the carb's but be very gentle as these bikes are hard to get parts for and the carb seals will break easy.

[out_in_front]

Yep - carby clean, you are probably starting it more than it is running and it cannot replenish the battery fro the next time. FWIW - I had an 89 model with very similar symptoms, I thought it was the battery / something electrical too.

I used some motul carby cleaner - dont use a car one as it's not really made for the same application, cars have one really big carby, bikes have 4 tiny ones by comparison - get the bike specific stuff IMO - but if it's too bad you will need a professional clean - or you can have an attempt at cleaning them yourself if you like.

[Loud]

You've named a few issues there dude. I'd be looking in to that coolant leak first off, if you leave that go you'll end up needing to spend more than just the cost of new hoses or the time it takes to tighten a clamp or drain plug.

Next check the battery and charging system. If the charging system (stator) is tired then it mightn't be generating enough power for good ignition until it gets more RPM.

If it's still playing up after that then look at the carbs - start with a clean, but check the idle jets (and filter) for dirt before you pull anything else apart.

[kessen]

Another problem you might wanna check the regulator/rectifier as it may not be converting the charge for the battery.

Sounds like there's quite a few things going wrong there. When it stalls describe what it does when it stalls?

You might also want to check the air box o-ring seals and the air filter itself.

[zx2rnub]

above the front sprocket there is an idle adjuster " a black knob" which u turn to change the idle. try increasing it and see if it help's . whats your current idle at ? .

if its been sitting then u should clean the carb's but be very gentle as these bikes are hard to get parts for and the carb seals will break easy.

it idles at around 1500rpm, havent gotten it to start again so ill see how adjusting the idle goes. ty

[Goldmember]

1500rpm is the idea idle speed

[zx2rnub]

i called up the dealer i bought it from and he said i can bring it back so i'll see how that goes, hopefully he'll take care of it. but if not it looks like im gna have to clean the carby and probably get it serviced..

when it stalls it basically just cuts out at about 2000rpm, nothing else happens

when i get the chance again ill have a better look

[Frogger]

it could be your charging system , or even just the battery. some bikes dont start charging untill a certain rpm. so when u start slowing down the battery doesnt have any juice and the bike stall's. this happened to me with my first bike as i was riding up and down the street at low rpm and after awhile the battery was dead so when the rpm got below 5k it was running off the battery and stalled. try putting one of your house mates battery's on it to see if it will start it straight away.

[Big_Dave]

God I love zx2r's. Had one as my first bike and will always miss it.

They always have some quirks
I had a lot of good times pulling my old one apart and learnt a great deal about bikes from doing so.

If you need someone to take a poke at it let me know. I'm on accident induced holidays at the moment and more than happy to spend time working on a bike.


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[out_in_front]

These bikes have a switch for the headlights to come on (as well as high beam) - while you need to have your headlight on all the time in WA, unfortunately they barely have enough power from the alternator to power them and charge the battery too - IMO ride without the headlight on occasionally and have a trickle charger.

[Big_Dave]

These bikes have a switch for the headlights to come on (as well as high beam) - while you need to have your headlight on all the time in WA, unfortunately they barely have enough power from the alternator to power them and charge the battery too - IMO ride without the headlight on occasionally and have a trickle charger.

I think that depends on the model. Mine was a ZX2R-C and didn't have a headlight switch, just the usual highbeam switch.


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[kessen]

test the regulator/rectifier

my zxr250c runs plenty fine with the lights on high beam all the time

it doesn't make sense to design a road bike which cannot supply enough power from the alternator at idle to keep lights working. They're old bikes. The more logical and reasonable conclusion to make would be that age has lessened it's ability to generate power at idle, not that you should ride without the headlight on. It's bad enough having people 'not see you' with your lights on, let alone having them off...

[courtz]

This feels like deja vu for me! I've had all sorts of fun with my old cbr.

I would definitely start off with easy stuff like getting a new battery, changing oil and filter, cleaning/replacing air filter and fuel filter, and putting the motul carby cleaner through. Once that's done you can eliminate a few variables.

Like Loud said though, would certainly be taking a look at where that coolant leak is coming from!

My carbs ended up needing a professional clean. Luckily I had some help from a PSBer first and then took it to a mechanic to finish off. its not a job I would recommend unless you know what you're doing, as a lot can go wrong! Since I had it done though the bike runs amazingly.

Good luck! Once its running right again, I can guarantee you'll love the bike I see the problems as a good thing - I've learnt SO much about my bike as a result of constantly having to fix it and then you will be able to appreciate the next bike you get as it will probably be newer and less prone to issues.

[-chris-]

new batt and some other thing cleared it all up ty for responses guys