Running rich on start-up

[ZedHead]

PM Sent on the taps

[grumpus]

so this morning i tried to run the bike with the fuel off to no avail, it did start and run for a bit with the usual plumes of fuel rich smoke from all 4 pipes, it then started to bog down and eventually stalled and wouldnt run at all.
i pulled the plugs (which are brand new, only run for 10 mins) and they are wet around the edge with black sooty electrodes!
Im sure the bike is over fueling so i will pull the carbs again and investigate will try and set the fuel levels lower if i can i am finding it difficalut to bend the little tangs on the floats im worried they will snap off as the are so old!
any tips?

[Pigford]

Has valve timing been altered by any chance?

[PAULJAC47]

So with fuel off still smoked all the time till it stalled? if so you were lowering the fuel level in the float chamber which is the same as altering the float tangs,as i suggested put a manometer on one carb bowl while it runs and see were the level is,once you start bending tangs its hard to get them all the same.JUst be methodical ,make sure you have the correct jets,air filter clear,and start from scratch ,bunsen blue on the gunson from tickover up through the revs.might be worth trying to run with no air filter and see if it makes a difference.

[johny brando]

Hi all ive a problem with my z1b, whenever I leave the bike for more than a few hours then start it up i get clouds of smoke out of all 4 pipes for about 30 secs before it clears.It smels like very rich fuel smoke not oil.I had the engine totally re-built a couple of years ago and have done about 1500 miles on it since. to try and correct this problem I have stripped and re-built the carbs with all the standard internals, had them ultrasonically cleaned. reset float heights with the special tool pipe thingy tested the floats by soaking them for 2 weeks in fuel ,the bike has a new loom, electronic ignition and Ive just put on dyna s coils (the green ones) as i thought the spark was weak, so new leads, caps and plugs, same result using ngk and nippon plugs.its running standard air box and filter and standard 4 into 4 exhausts, everything is set to factory standard. timing is spot on tested the voltage at the coils it was over 12 volts, im running out of ideas.
like i said it runs fine but only after the excess fuel is burnt off, once the smoke clears after 30 secs or so its ok.
I have the standard fuel tap with the the 2 outlets, and i have noticed when you take off the rubber caps from the balance take offs they are full of petrol?
help me please have i missed something???

Hi I know you have repeatedly stated you have checked floats & heights BUT like every one else is saying the Fickled finger of fate is still pointing in that direction aye ! Personally, I'd pop the float bowls off again & set your existing float heights 3 mm lower / higher ( dependant on how your viewing them ! ) than you currently have them set at the moment.... = so it shuts the fuel off sooner. This will shut us all up !!! & eliminate this part of the diagnosis process. Cheers Lee.

[ZedHead]

Or as PAULJAC47 suggests use one of these.

http://www.saisei-europe.com/Shop/Produ ... evel-gauge

[grumpus]

hi thanks for the suggestions, that fuel level tool is the one I have, i will take off the tank and see if the tap leaks ,i may buy one of the replacements anyway as mine is really stiff to turn off and on , (just love that ethanol)
i will pull the carbs, and re-set the levels lower and see what i get!

[ZedHead]

hi thanks for the suggestions, that fuel level tool is the one I have, i will take off the tank and see if the tap leaks ,i may buy one of the replacements anyway as mine is really stiff to turn off and on , (just love that ethanol)
i will pull the carbs, and re-set the levels lower and see what i get!

New Tap in the post. Thanks

Dave