2001 Katana wont start... - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

staticxmg · 05-31-2004, 05:29 PM

I was riding last night in traffic that was very slow for around an hour or so, i mean i like stay on the clutch, never get out of first slow. Then I noticed that the bike got very hot and everything was hot. I also noticed when I gave it throttle a white vapor was coming out of the muffler. So i pulled into a gas station and cut the engine off. I let it sit for about 30 minutes, but the bike never started again(think the engine flooded). We tried for 3 hours to get that bike started, but never succeded, anyone ever had this problem? It turns over but doesn't crank. This doesn't sound like a blown engine, because then it wouldn't even turn over would it? I think it might be the spark plugs but I dont know how to get to them. Anyone ever had this problem? Any help is greatly appreciated.

pitbull76 · 05-31-2004, 05:55 PM

The plugs are located under the tank. Remove the tank and you should be able to get at them. If that isn't the problem, post this at www.katanaplanet.com. They may have more ideas.

tlwisner · 05-31-2004, 05:58 PM

If it was watercooled, it would sound like a warped head or head gasket. I don't know how the oil cooled things work though....

Good luck!

mac · 06-01-2004, 11:16 AM

If the engine flooded out your plugs are probably fouled. If you don't want to remove all of the plastic try this. Pull the seat and set it aside. Remove the two bolts at the rear base of the tank. Next remove a couple of the top hex head bolts that secure the left and right fairings just to loosen them up. Gently pull on the top of each fairing and you should see a couple of plastic nubs pop out of rubber gromets. Just pull the tank back and up from the rear and rest it on top of the underseat compartment, watch the paint. Be careful not to pull the fuel lines from the tank. The plugs are fairly easy to get to with the tool kit on your bike but a sparkplug socket and makes it a whole lot nicer. Make sure that when you go to put new plugs in it they're gauged properly and you don't strip the threads. Either start them with your fingers or a small piece of rubber hose. Also, check the voltage on your battery and it might be a good idea to change the oil. Good luck.

staticxmg · 06-02-2004, 06:52 PM

its been with a guy thats been working on it, he changed the plugs and it doesn't start, hes checked the coils and they are fine. Its got to be something electrical, must be a short somewhere somehow, its crazy though, the motor will turn over, there just isn't any fire to it.

mac · 06-03-2004, 07:15 AM

Battery maybe, and I know I sounds dumb but maybe the ignition fuse.

05-31-2004, 05:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
staticxmg Newbie Joined: May 2004 Posts: 3	2001 Katana wont start... I was riding last night in traffic that was very slow for around an hour or so, i mean i like stay on the clutch, never get out of first slow. Then I noticed that the bike got very hot and everything was hot. I also noticed when I gave it throttle a white vapor was coming out of the muffler. So i pulled into a gas station and cut the engine off. I let it sit for about 30 minutes, but the bike never started again(think the engine flooded). We tried for 3 hours to get that bike started, but never succeded, anyone ever had this problem? It turns over but doesn't crank. This doesn't sound like a blown engine, because then it wouldn't even turn over would it? I think it might be the spark plugs but I dont know how to get to them. Anyone ever had this problem? Any help is greatly appreciated.

05-31-2004, 05:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
pitbull76 Found second gear by accident Joined: Dec 2003 Location: Montgomery, IL Posts: 330	The plugs are located under the tank. Remove the tank and you should be able to get at them. If that isn't the problem, post this at www.katanaplanet.com. They may have more ideas. __________________ 1994 Kawasaki ZX-6E

05-31-2004, 05:58 PM	#3 (permalink)
tlwisner Throttle Jockey Joined: Apr 2004 Bike: '05 Boulevard C50 Location: Central Kentucky Posts: 3,208	Re: 2001 Katana wont start... If it was watercooled, it would sound like a warped head or head gasket. I don't know how the oil cooled things work though.... Good luck! __________________ Tim Wisner AMA, SCRC Happiness is something we create

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06-01-2004, 11:16 AM	#4 (permalink)
mac Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: NC, US Posts: 19	If the engine flooded out your plugs are probably fouled. If you don't want to remove all of the plastic try this. Pull the seat and set it aside. Remove the two bolts at the rear base of the tank. Next remove a couple of the top hex head bolts that secure the left and right fairings just to loosen them up. Gently pull on the top of each fairing and you should see a couple of plastic nubs pop out of rubber gromets. Just pull the tank back and up from the rear and rest it on top of the underseat compartment, watch the paint. Be careful not to pull the fuel lines from the tank. The plugs are fairly easy to get to with the tool kit on your bike but a sparkplug socket and makes it a whole lot nicer. Make sure that when you go to put new plugs in it they're gauged properly and you don't strip the threads. Either start them with your fingers or a small piece of rubber hose. Also, check the voltage on your battery and it might be a good idea to change the oil. Good luck.

06-02-2004, 06:52 PM	#5 (permalink)
staticxmg Newbie Joined: May 2004 Posts: 3	its been with a guy thats been working on it, he changed the plugs and it doesn't start, hes checked the coils and they are fine. Its got to be something electrical, must be a short somewhere somehow, its crazy though, the motor will turn over, there just isn't any fire to it.

06-03-2004, 07:15 AM	#6 (permalink)
mac Newbie Joined: May 2004 Location: NC, US Posts: 19	Battery maybe, and I know I sounds dumb but maybe the ignition fuse.

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