RF900 Help - Motorcycle-Journal Forums

DarkWolf29805 · 02-25-2007, 04:58 PM

Hey guys, I am new here. I have heard a lot about the good people here and was hoping someone could help me. I have a 1994 RF900RR that I just spent 900 bucks getting tuned up in August of 2006. I have only put 1000 miles on it since then. I would start it up once a week just to run it while winter was here. I went out to start it up yesterday but it will not start.It is getting spark and fuel but wont start. It smells like it is flooding when I try to start it. The shop that did the work on it for me wont look at it unless I pay for diagnostics. Can some one point me in the right dirrection of what might be causing this problem. I started it on monday but on saturday it would not start. It dont even act like it wants to start. I am so bummed it has been in the high 60's low 70's here and I want to ride. Please help me?

**Clint** · 02-25-2007, 06:01 PM

It's probably pissed that you ran it every week for no good reason. What's your startup procedure, in detail? Is it turning over quickly?

DarkWolf29805 · 02-25-2007, 06:20 PM

Well to start I turn the gas on. Then I apply some choke since it is still a little cold here. Then I turn on the key and wait just a second for things to flow. I then pull in the clutch and try to start it. It turns over fast with the choke on but turns over normal with out the choke. But it wont start either way.

**Clint** · 02-25-2007, 07:56 PM

Hmm. Doesn't make sense that the turnover speed changes with choke. I'm not sure why it's flooding if you're not using the throttle at all.

Does the fuel switch have an actual 'off' position, or what do you put it on to store it?

DarkWolf29805 · 02-25-2007, 08:29 PM

The fuel has (ON OFF RES) I store it on Off. I am so confused by this It was just running on Monday, and it is getting spark and fuel. It just wont ignite

919Hooligan · 02-26-2007, 12:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkWolf29805

The fuel has (ON OFF RES) I store it on Off. I am so confused by this It was just running on Monday, and it is getting spark and fuel. It just wont ignite

If it's sparking and getting fuel then maybe it's not getting air. Did you check the air filter housing to see if maybe a mouse got in there and built a nest or something? It happens sometimes.

**Clint** · 02-26-2007, 07:08 AM

Good idea.

919Hooligan · 02-26-2007, 09:36 AM

I hate to bring up worse case scenario, but there is always the remote possibility that it tossed the timing chain the last time you turned it off, or when you tried to start it the next day. Rare, but it does happen.

If a couple intake valves are in the open position it would force air back out the carbs causing the flooding fuel smell.

Rickster · 02-26-2007, 03:03 PM

How long do you leave it run when you do your weekly starts?

If it's not getting fully warmed up, you might have gotten some moisture in the cylinder. This could cause rust to form on the spark plug electrode. It's called a "gaped' plug, and you don't get any spark if this occurs.

DarkWolf29805 · 02-26-2007, 06:19 PM

Oh man, I feel so stupid. I found the problem. When I was checking everything I used a test plug to check for spark. Well two of the plugs where carbon covered and not sparking. Changed out the plugs and it fired right up and runs good. Thanks for the help guys hope to be here a long time.

**Clint** · 02-26-2007, 06:35 PM

Good. Now stop tormenting the thing. Let it sit for a month at a time, with stabilizer in the fuel.

DarkWolf29805 · 02-27-2007, 11:49 AM

Well lets see if you guys can help me again. My bike is running now. I took it out for a ride today. But she has a hesitation at mid throttle. Low throttle and full throttle she is good just at mid she hesitates and kinda jerks. If i goose it past mid she opens up and runs awesome. Thanks for your help again.

Blade · 02-27-2007, 11:10 PM

Run some good carb cleaner through the fuel tank for a couple of tanks. Sounds like you might have some varnish in some of the jets and it needs to be cleaned out. IF that does not work the carbs may need to come off and b cleaned.

DarkWolf29805 · 02-28-2007, 01:57 AM

Thanks for the info. I have heard that, that stuff does not work. I have never used it. Any certain brand or just any carb cleaner should do? Thanks.

Blade · 02-28-2007, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkWolf29805

Thanks for the info. I have heard that, that stuff does not work. I have never used it. Any certain brand or just any carb cleaner should do? Thanks.

I use STP and you do usually need to run a couple of tanks through the carbs for it to really work, if it will work.

eb77k · 03-15-2007, 11:21 AM

Fuel aditives DO work if used properly. If you start the bike in the off season make sure you get the thing HOT. Don't just start it to hear it run. Use Sta-bil in the tank and then run the thing until you can smell it in the exhaust, this will make sure it's in the carbs. You've got a really nice bike don't kill it with a 5 minute torture test every month during the winter.

02-25-2007, 04:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
DarkWolf29805 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1994 RF900RR Posts: 16	RF900 Help Hey guys, I am new here. I have heard a lot about the good people here and was hoping someone could help me. I have a 1994 RF900RR that I just spent 900 bucks getting tuned up in August of 2006. I have only put 1000 miles on it since then. I would start it up once a week just to run it while winter was here. I went out to start it up yesterday but it will not start.It is getting spark and fuel but wont start. It smells like it is flooding when I try to start it. The shop that did the work on it for me wont look at it unless I pay for diagnostics. Can some one point me in the right dirrection of what might be causing this problem. I started it on monday but on saturday it would not start. It dont even act like it wants to start. I am so bummed it has been in the high 60's low 70's here and I want to ride. Please help me? Attached Thumbnails Last edited by DarkWolf29805; 02-27-2007 at 12:20 PM.

02-26-2007, 09:36 AM	#8 (permalink)
919Hooligan TurtleWax Taster Joined: Sep 2005 Bike: 2002 Honda 919 Location: St. Louis Posts: 592	I hate to bring up worse case scenario, but there is always the remote possibility that it tossed the timing chain the last time you turned it off, or when you tried to start it the next day. Rare, but it does happen. If a couple intake valves are in the open position it would force air back out the carbs causing the flooding fuel smell. __________________ Life's short and hard, like a body building elf. Last edited by 919Hooligan; 02-26-2007 at 09:40 AM.

02-26-2007, 03:03 PM	#9 (permalink)
Rickster Bridal Boutique Manager Joined: Oct 2005 Location: St Paul Mn Posts: 2,983	How long do you leave it run when you do your weekly starts? If it's not getting fully warmed up, you might have gotten some moisture in the cylinder. This could cause rust to form on the spark plug electrode. It's called a "gaped' plug, and you don't get any spark if this occurs. __________________ Ever notice that the person telling you to calm down, is the same one that got you worked up in the first place. 2008 1250 Bandit ABS 2008 DR 650 2006 HD Road King 2004 Twin Peaks 700 2003 KTM 525 EX/C (for sale) 2005 Santa Cruz Heckler

02-27-2007, 11:49 AM	#12 (permalink)
DarkWolf29805 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1994 RF900RR Posts: 16	Well lets see if you guys can help me again. My bike is running now. I took it out for a ride today. But she has a hesitation at mid throttle. Low throttle and full throttle she is good just at mid she hesitates and kinda jerks. If i goose it past mid she opens up and runs awesome. Thanks for your help again. Attached Thumbnails Last edited by DarkWolf29805; 02-27-2007 at 12:21 PM.

02-27-2007, 11:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
Blade TurtleWax Taster Joined: Mar 2006 Location: La Quinta, Ca Posts: 598	Run some good carb cleaner through the fuel tank for a couple of tanks. Sounds like you might have some varnish in some of the jets and it needs to be cleaned out. IF that does not work the carbs may need to come off and b cleaned. __________________ Bill Johnson Email: bill@billsbikesnservice.com website: www.billsbikesnservice.com

02-25-2007, 06:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
DarkWolf29805 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1994 RF900RR Posts: 16	Well to start I turn the gas on. Then I apply some choke since it is still a little cold here. Then I turn on the key and wait just a second for things to flow. I then pull in the clutch and try to start it. It turns over fast with the choke on but turns over normal with out the choke. But it wont start either way.

02-25-2007, 08:29 PM	#5 (permalink)
DarkWolf29805 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1994 RF900RR Posts: 16	The fuel has (ON OFF RES) I store it on Off. I am so confused by this It was just running on Monday, and it is getting spark and fuel. It just wont ignite

02-26-2007, 06:19 PM	#10 (permalink)
DarkWolf29805 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1994 RF900RR Posts: 16	Oh man, I feel so stupid. I found the problem. When I was checking everything I used a test plug to check for spark. Well two of the plugs where carbon covered and not sparking. Changed out the plugs and it fired right up and runs good. Thanks for the help guys hope to be here a long time.

02-28-2007, 01:57 AM	#14 (permalink)
DarkWolf29805 Newbie Joined: Feb 2007 Bike: 1994 RF900RR Posts: 16	Thanks for the info. I have heard that, that stuff does not work. I have never used it. Any certain brand or just any carb cleaner should do? Thanks.

03-15-2007, 11:21 AM	#16 (permalink)
eb77k Found second gear by accident Joined: Mar 2007 Bike: I'm lucky, I've got alot Location: minnesota Posts: 329	Fuel aditives DO work if used properly. If you start the bike in the off season make sure you get the thing HOT. Don't just start it to hear it run. Use Sta-bil in the tank and then run the thing until you can smell it in the exhaust, this will make sure it's in the carbs. You've got a really nice bike don't kill it with a 5 minute torture test every month during the winter.

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