starting problem

[john]

Hi my Z 1 b will only starts on 3 cylinders from cold, 1 2 3 not 4
I have stripped and cleaned the choke on # 4, when you turn the choke off you can get it to run on all 4 by slightly turning the throttle. When the engine is hot it idles perfectly at 1000 revs. I have changed the spark plug. sprayed the carbs / ducks with carb cleaner when engine is hot on idle, changed the vacuum pipe cap. switched the coils an HT leads round 1\4 over to 2/3 an visa verse. any ideas what the problem is thanks John

[Pigford]

Check the coils are getting a good +12v when running

Swap plugs around (3 & 4) and see if anything changes

[PAULJAC47]

Hi John does she run on all 4 when hot? lots of Kwaks do the same trick from cold my A4 does sometimes...

[john]

Hi Pigford / Paul

I will try that with plugs and checking voltage, I know about the cold blooded point, she idles at a steady 1000 revs when hot, and pulls pretty good from stop.
thanks
Kind regards
John

[Mark Tiller]

All of my A1s were a little slower to fire up on No4, just a bit of character

[john]

Hi mark
that is a sweet collection of Z s.
Thanks that is a conciliation to know.
kind regards
John

[davejames]

My B is very similar, takes a while to pick up onto 4 cyls. I find the best way of starting is no throttle and lots of choke, then gradually reduce the choke until it picks up on all 4. I leave it to warm up for a few mins and then it's ok. Trying to ride off too soon and I end up with fouled plugs etc.

[Garry.L]

It's a bit of a T.A.D.T.S...... 'They all Do That Sir'

[paulmceleney]

remove the tank ,and check the male and female wires at the coils are pushed in tight ,if one is hanging out a bit this will cause it to run on 3 cylinders then 4 when the engine is warm

[Z1B Alan]

John if you look at the float bowl on all cylinders you will see the brass tube from the choke pathway projects onto the floatbowl in the corner this tube enters the bowl in the bottom corner through a very fine passageway if this has become blocked it will prevent the choke working on that cylinder ensure it is clear by squirting with a syringe down the hole you should see liquid entering the floatbowl via the passageway. Its worth a try as this was the problem I found on my bike with starting issues as yours.

[Mark Tiller]

My B is very similar, takes a while to pick up onto 4 cyls. I find the best way of starting is no throttle and lots of choke, then gradually reduce the choke until it picks up on all 4. I leave it to warm up for a few mins and then it's ok. Trying to ride off too soon and I end up with fouled plugs etc.

My current bike likes the opposite, full choke, after a few throttle twists No 4 will have come in then take virtually all the choke off, it has Smoothbores and is a bit lumpy at tickover

[john]

Hi Dave / Paul / Alan. That is half my problem it starts on 3 cylinders but if I increase the choke it seems like I might fowl the plug completely on # 4, so just slightly using the throttle I get it to fire on #4. the plug looks like it is running pretty rich. I changed the coils over 1/4 to 2/3 and visa verse, While doing this I noticed the connections were total cruddy, I will go back and clean them off thanks Paul, cheers Alan I have stripped the choke down to the bone all OK there, however now that ya say it could it be the spring?. sweet hour of divine, I just want to ride it. Thanks. kind regards John