Smoking and running like crap.

[94Katter]

I bought a 94 Kat 600 from a guy for 150 bucks. I got it started today after quite a while. I dont know anything about bikes this is my first bike. The choke cable is disconnected and I am not sure where it hooks up. Anyway I got it started and it was smoking out of the exhast pipe. The guy who I bout the bike from said he took the tank off to change the plugs and disconnected the vacuum hoses and didnt remember where they went. I put them where they looked like they should go. i was just wondering if a vacuum hose in the wrong place would cause the smoking cause he said it didnt start smoking until he changed the plugs and messed with the vacuum hoses. Any help would be appreciated. thanks in advance.

[Clint]

How long did it run? It's common for a bike that's been stored to burn off some oil that's seeped past rings and valve seals. A vacuum issue usually results in high idle and surging.

Get a Clymer for the bike and go through it top to bottom. Chances are it needs tires, a chain and sprockets, a carb cleaning, and a bunch of other adjustments. Make sure you adjust a helmet to fit your head, too.

Welcome to the forum.

[94Katter]

Yeah it ran for 2 min or so with the help of the throttle. It wont idle at all. The guy that I bought the bike from said he had just bought a new back tire a couple months before I bought it. The front tire however is questionable. I was wondering what the best book to buy was. I have seen the haynes and clymer. From what i have been seen on different boards in the last couple days clymer is the way to go. I have a helmet I bought to use for racing my mustang at the track. So I should be good to go there. I am just looking to get the bike running and looking good right now. I am going to take a motorcycle safety course in 2 months, the next time they offer it in the area.
I'm in no hurry to get out there and tear up the roads like an idiot. I've always wanted a bike so I bought one that was kinda rough so I could learn about the bike as I get it going. Also he said the bike had been lowered and jetted. Anyway thanks for the reply.

[87gsxrnut]

Won't run well when cold w/o choke. Choke hooks up in the center of the carbs on those I believe. There should be a vacuum hose going to the petcock for fuel flow.

- Nut

[87gsxrnut]

Yikes, beware, it's been "re-jetted". That could be part of the problem.

- Nut

[gajan25]

Hey 87 gsxrnut...do you know where the vacuum hose goes on a 1989 gsx katana750? The one that goes to the petcock on the tank. I have it on the petcock but I dont see where the other end of the hose goes. I have a post also about this. Sorry for jumpin in. Help needed. Warm days are comming

[Clint]

It probably tees into the vacuum lines from the carbs.

[Navar]

try http://www.repairmanual.com/ for a manual

[Shea]

Originally Posted by 94Katter

I bought a 94 Kat 600

Hmmm, I think I see the problem. Just kidding.

Well, I am wondering if the guy sold mit for $150 because he thought there was something wrong with it.

My first thoughts when I see smoking is either fuell mixture or blow by. Check the plugs and air filter, make sure both are clear of oil. If that's not the case, then run some gas treatment into the tank to see if it may have water in the tank.

Just trying to think of cheap alternatives.