Okay, here goes!

Long time rider, new to sport bikes, new to forum.
Knowledgeable in automotive repair and not affraid to do/try anything. Motorcycle repair experience is limited, but willing to learn and try anything that is needed.

Just purchased 1991 Kawasaki Ninja ZX600-D2 that is not running. Has some scrapes and cracks, but came with new lower faring, blinker, windshield, foot peg and cover.

Bike was ridden in 2002, parked, and gas left in tank. Previous owner drained the tank last week (for sale) but did not start the bike.
We have pulled the seat, rear side plastic, tank, air filter and air box.
Gas tank is cleaned out. We did this on another bike before - muratic acid, for a swimming pool, poured in the tank and sloshed around will eat the laquered gas and any rust that is there. Rinse well with water, blow dry with air compressor and then final rinse with alcohol to get any remaining water removed. We also have tank liner (liquid pour-in, coats and seals leaks) but it was clean, shinny and in good enough shape to not need the lining.
Vacuum operated petcock on the tank seemes to have done it's job. Carbs were dry. Looking down the air stacks and into the carbs, they look pretty clean. Pulled a plug and it looks good, too.
Battery is dead and will not take a charge (new one needed). Can get the bike to crank with the aid of a car battery jump (battery out of the car). Re-installed the tank, put some gas in and tried to start it. It cranked, but didn't fire. Realized the petcock was stuck, no gas. Removed tank again, pulled and cleaned the petcock and reinstalled. Gas now gets to carbs.
Cranked again, but did not fire. Pulled tank and pulled a plug. Plug is wet (gas). Tried to check for spark with tank off, but bike would not crank, just click and lights went off. Release start button, pause, click, and lights come back on. Not the click-click-click of low battery, one click and no lights.

Need/like to know:
1. If the low fuel sensor (on tank) needs to be plugged in to crank the bike?
2. Best way to check carbs?
3. Best way to check for spark? (hard to do with the tank on the bike)
4. Best battery to buy?
5. Recommendations for oil?
6. Recommendations for frame sliders?
Thanks in advance,
Mike

 

Buy the manual. That'll tell you everything you need to know about your bike. You need to take the tank off and air box, etc to check the carbs. Checking for spark you'll need to do the same.

 

Yes, yes, getting the manual is a good thing. I will get one.

Right now I am looking for quick help from someof you "experts", to get the bike running.

Some of you should know some tricks to help me along.

Mike

 

1) I would not think that it would matter.
2) I would remove the rack and clean it all at the same time. This way you could inspect the diaphram too. Then once started, re-synch.
3)



4) Yuasa
5) Castrol or Amsoil, but opinions vary.
6) Not sure

edit: Don't forget to check for cracked boots and vacuum lines especially since it has sat for awhile.

 

Yea what he said.

 

Alright, I made some progress.

Got a new battery and it cranks really well now.

Pulled the rack of carbs, dis-assembled the bottom side and cleaned them. Yes they were a little dirty.
Tried starting the bike and it would run, but only with the choke on.

Took the tops off and cleaned them, too. Now it will start, but most of the time only if I use starting fluid.
Once it starts, it only runs if it idles at about 2000-3000 rpms. After 20-30 seconds, it will idle down and die. Kind-of "woofs" when you spin the throtle.

I need initial setting for the carbs. Float setting, neeedle valve turns, etc. so I can get it running.
Plan to get it to the shop for syncing the carbs in the end.

Really want to get this baby on the road!

Thanks,

Mike

 

Float ht: 9-13mm
Fuel ht: 2-4mm below mark
Choke free play 2-3mm
a/f screws are normally at 2.5 turns to start with

 

Make sure that the low speed circuit is totally clean! Some small orifices in there. Without knowing that they are 100% clean, you are on a goose chase after that.

 

After doing some researce and reading other post, I believe I have a vacuum problem.

Thanks for the settings, I will check them.

Mike

 

I would adj vales 1st and a carb adj, these are famos for the symtoms,