help help 03 kat wont idle and more...

[SnatchBox]

hey guys.

well here goes...

i'm new to the bike scene and i picked up an 03 kat 600 mint with 1300 miles for 3 grand. what a deal.

well he let it sit forever and it won't hold idle.
today i replaced the plugs and the old ones were chared but it still won't hold idle.

also when adjusting the thumb screw (black knob) behind the left side fairing it fell out and i have no idea where the end of it screws into.

anyone have any suggestions on how to fix the idle and where the threded end of the thumb knob cable screw thing goes...

again i appologize for being retarded but like i said i am new bikes and could just use a little help.

oh yeah by the way nice site!!!!

[The CyberPoet]

(A) Swap the gas out. The existing gas is probably why it won't idle -- gas breaks down over time, and 1300 miles in 2 years tells me it's been parked too long. Add 1/3rd of a bottle of Techron fuel system cleaner -- it will reliquify the old-fuel residues and let them burn off, cleaning out the carbs & tank.

(B) That thumbscrew isn't supposed to be able just fall off... I suspect it's time to buy a shop manual.

(C) The plugs are probably charred because it ran on choke too long -- turn the choke off within 30 seconds of starting.

(D) Look in the tank and make sure there isn't rust build-up.

Good Luck!
=-= The CyberPoet

[SnatchBox]

the gas is new i have run 3 tanks with injector cleaner through it.

i know the thumb screw shouldn't fall off. it didn't just the other end fell out of wherever it screws into ... carbs?

plugs are now new nkg's so that shouldn't be a problem

i thinking i may have to give in and bring it to a shop...

boy this bike pisses me off....

[Black_peter]

OK first;
3K does sound like a steal,,
(but we don't have it running yet do we )
Second;
The idle adjuster screws into the carb bracket.
You are going to ned to pull the fairings and the tank. After that I think you will see where it needs to go.

If it has been sitting for a long time (more then a few months really) with gas in the carbs, I'm betting you have gum in there.
Clogged jets who knows.
Easiest route?
Buy the manual..
really purchase in this order (IMHO):
Helmet,
Bike,
Insurance,
Manual....
Pull the fairings, tank, airbox and carbs.
(not that hard if you have good tools and are ok with your hands.. really!)
Drain the carbs.
Get to work.
At least spray the inlet and outlets (and all those tiny holes) with carb cleaner (wear safety glasses)
Then pull the mixture screws (follow instuctions in manual or search for carb or rebuild on this site)
Full rebuild might be needed but you may get away with just this bit.
While the carb is out reattach the cable.

(back it out all the way)
Reassemble and give it a go.
NOTE:
Rotate the gas switch (fuel cock) to PRI
after hooking up the fuel lines. This will fill the bowls.. (rotate back to RES or ON after a few seconds)

[Black_peter]

(C) The plugs are probably charred because it ran on choke too long -- turn the choke off within 30 seconds of starting.
=-= The CyberPoet

++++1 on that..

[SnatchBox]

right now bike is stripped just has the tank on...

have to get a manual.

any suggestions to anyone who has NEVER cleaned out carbs?

[md86]

Get someone who has to watch you do it ! It's a pretty daunting task the first time you try it , so you should really consider your mechanical abilities , or lack thereof . There are a few little bits in there that get lost REAL easy (trust me !) . But if you really want to do it yourself , get a manual , and listen to whatever tips you're given here , and you might make it out alive !

[The CyberPoet]

right now bike is stripped just has the tank on...

have to get a manual.

any suggestions to anyone who has NEVER cleaned out carbs?

Yes... buy a spare set off me and use them to practice/learn on. That's how I familiarized myself to start with (and it helped too)...

Cheers
=-= The CyberPoet

[Jax]

OK first;
3K does sound like a steal...
(but we don't have it running yet do we )
really purchase in this order (IMHO):
Helmet,
Bike,
Insurance,
Manual....

I would have to agree it was a steal...or maybe not....depending on how much work and $$$ you have to put into it...

I would have to add to my fellow riders' list...
Helmet--we agree no arguement
Jacket with armor, gloves and boots---can never do without protection
Pants---are nice and will protect you
I agree with the rest....

[Jax]

Kept getting an error message when I tried to submitt my reply...

[Jax]

+1---yes again...

[SnatchBox]

ok i gave in i brought it to a shop... i just don't want to take any chances.


as for having it running or not... the bike runs great when riding it just doesn't wanna idle. other then the idle the bike is great... i have put 250 miles on it so far and have had it for about a month---> many cold rides

well i'll post up the results with costs when i get it back.
thanks for all the help.
Sean

[md86]

I'd be willing to bet it was the pilot/idle jets gummed up . Maybe a good call on taking it to the shop if you're not cool with doing it yourself . Maybe I shouldn't say , but you could probably have gotten the cost of repair down some by just bringing the carbs in instead of the whole bike . Costed me $80 a few years ago that way .

[Black_peter]

I'd be willing to bet it was the pilot/idle jets gummed up . .

+1

I have a tiny set of ratchet screwdrivers, I was able to reclean mine with the carbs in place..
Try something easier then carbs for your first repair.. Like rebuilding the engine