looking for some advice bike wont run

[katman9680]

I am trying to help a friend get his new bike going. He bought it wrecked and cant get it going. First off it is not a Katana, its a 2003 ZX6, but many of you seem very knowledgeable about most bikes so I figured I would try here first. The bike runs as long as you hold the start button but dies as soon as you let go of it. I first thought it was just cranking the whole time, but you can here the starter shutting off(I think), once it fires. Any suggestions. I would really like to get him going so I can have another person to ride with.
Thanks, in advance
Rob

[joe]

Well, you only need three things for the engine to work (provided it is in good health mechanically): oxygen, fuel and ignition. Oxygen is usually a gimme and ignition is probably the easiest place to start. Is this bike fuel injected or carbureted? You could always spray a tiny bit of starter fluid into the intake to see if she fires. If it will run, you know the ignition system is, at least, functioning.

[ckenwright]

I need to see a wiring diagram to be of any help.

[arsenic]

oxygen, fuel and ignition.

not quite. What you need are fuel, spark (ignition), and TIMING FOR COMPRESSION, not just oxygen.

[pilotdada1]

Don't know about the bike you are working on, but some starter relays have a lead that energises the ignition while you are cranking. Could be the key switch is not energising the ignition and it's only seeing voltage from the starter relay/solenoid while cranking. If this is the case I'd look for ignition fuse/fuses.
James

[katman9680]

Thanks for the responses everyone. I talked to him today and it is running like a top. He replaced the battery and it took off. Pretty simple fix, I never get that lucky!