Ninja EX 500 1993...BIKE won't start

[MarylandMagnav45]

Buddy of mine has this bike. 

The bike will turnover but it won't fire up.

We checked the spark plugs...and they're fine. 

We think it may be a starter issue b/c his bike has electrical problems. 

Any other ideas that aren't too difficult to try? (we're resolved to take it to the dealer so that they can bring it back to life).

To my knowledge, he took out the carbs, and he put on a new Vance and Hines Exhaust.  He did not rejet the carbs though.

[roboto65]

So you checked the plugs and saw a nice blue spark when turned over and why did he remove the carbs did he clean them??

[gbrueggemann]

Fuel and Fire is really all it takes. If it ran before he did this and now it doesn't it sounds like something didn't get hooked back up quite right.

[MarylandMagnav45]

So you checked the plugs and saw a nice blue spark when turned over and why did he remove the carbs did he clean them??

Will let you know once I get in touch with him.

To my knowledge,

The bike RAN before he installed the exhaust, and then it wouldn't run after he put on the Vance and Hines Exhaust system.

Sounds like common sense (maybe didn't put something on right?) but he thinks he put everything on correctly etc...

[roboto65]

Well i will say that we have all had those I "think" I put everything back only to you guessed it LOL Oh I am the worse  sounds like he did not get something back on right

[MarylandMagnav45]

Well i will say that we have all had those I "think" I put everything back only to you guessed it LOL Oh I am the worse  sounds like he did not get something back on right

The bike was not in good condition when he bought it.  It had this weird "looping" sound when he rode it.  The bike would literally move back and forth a little while riding.  That was scary.

[roboto65]

Not sure if i would blame the engine for that could be chain slack or the rubber dampers gone bad in the rear drive where the sprocket attaches. Keep us updated to what happens with the spark if you have that then it would be fuel next !!!

[roboto65]

Hey Dan did you guys get it running !!!

[Damn Yankee]

I was going to say, is the fuel petcock switched off? If it's turning over it has to be an issue over fuel--or lack thereof.
I've been red-faced by that more than a couple of times...

[dgc67]

If you pull a plug out right after trying to start it, is it wet?  If so then it is getting fuel.  Maybe too much.  Dry, no fuel.
After that
If the spark is there good and strong and the plug comes out wet, I would think timing.
If there was just no way he messed with the timing then you need to refer to:

Fuel and Fire is really all it takes. If it ran before he did this and now it doesn't it sounds like something didn't get hooked back up quite right.

[MarylandMagnav45]

Hey Dan did you guys get it running !!!

Sorry.  Roboto65. I'm still waiting for another good day to wrench with his bike.  Give me 2 more weeks if you please.  I have a huge final exam in  my grad course next Tuesday.  As much as I like wrenching, I'll be kicking myself if I spend too much time with his POS bike lol.

[MarylandMagnav45]

I was going to say, is the fuel petcock switched off? If it's turning over it has to be an issue over fuel--or lack thereof.
I've been red-faced by that more than a couple of times...

Nope. 

Best times in my life when I rode away with the gas off. 

"OH sh$t...i'm losing power....what the?  ....oh wait, turn gas on!...VROOOM"

[MarylandMagnav45]

So you checked the plugs and saw a nice blue spark when turned over and why did he remove the carbs did he clean them??

He says it was more "white" than blue. 

He removed the carbs, and he cleaned them.

[MarylandMagnav45]

Hey Dan did you guys get it running !!!

Here is what he said:

He believes there is a SEVERE electrical problem. 

"my negative terminal on the battery burns when you try to start it, it will melt w/ prolonged attempts".

In reference to DG's comment, he said:

"well w/ the plugs removed fuel would skirt alil through the plug hole, so yea.... i think the cylinders are getting fuel - both were wet..."

"i thought my carb might be improperly adjusted"

"but then there was the burning in the electrical..."

"it sounds like the starter is catching on something like something is blocking it - so it stops - which i guess could cause that electric backlash"


Any ideas appreciated on my friend's dilemma. 

If we can't wrench it to good health, he'll be paying the shop big bucks...considering that our service rates around here are near $100/hour!

RIPOFF I know 

[dgc67]

well w/ the plugs removed fuel would skirt alil through the plug hole, so yea.... i think the cylinders are getting fuel - both were wet...

it sounds like the starter is catching on something like something is blocking it - so it stops - which i guess could cause that electric backlash

Sounds to me like he might be experiencing "hydrolock".  This is a case that can happen when the float valves stick open and the cylinders flood with fuel.  The engine can't push all the fuel out of the cylinder and it becomes a burden on the starter/electrical system.  Eventually it will stop turning over.  It can also damage engine parts like valves and connecting rods.
I have never, in my life seen so much gas in a cylinder it was "squirting out", that is scary amount of gas in there.

Smell the oil, smell like gas?  If so I bet on a flooded cylinder(s), it seeps down past the rings and contaminates the oil.

Turn the petcock off and drain the fuel from the bottom of the carb bowls to empty them.  Then let the bike sit, with all the plugs out, for a couple of days.  DO NOT TURN FUEL BACK ON. 
Turn engine over without plugs to see how freely it spins.  Inspect to verify cylinders are dry as possible.  Now spray some starter spray into the carbs, STILL DO NOT TURN THE FUEL BACK ON.  Does it try to fire?  If so, the carbs are your culprit.  If not, then I would look at electrical connections, cleaning reconnecting.  Maybe even a new battery.