TOPIC:

Sorry if this is a dumb question guys , but I've had my 1979 A1 about 6 months and started to use her whenever I can. The P.O. was typically clocking 50 miles a year over the 18 year he owned her, so she's now finally starting to get some proper runs.

She starts on the button (no choke needed ) and carburates / runs cleanly across the rev range, but on the last couple of trips I've noticed if I leave the fuel on for a few minutes with her on the side stand, I am flooding No.1 spark plug. Easily remedied by drying the plug and popping her on the main stand. But was wondering if this is a recognised gremlin with the Z13, or Ive got a problem with carb No.1 floats or float valves.

Any thoughts on this appreciated.

Cheers Tim

yes, and not a dumb question

when on the side stand fuel does tend to flood #1, and the sump, air box etc.

Most owners tend to turn the fuel tap off a few hundred yards from where they are going to park.

I'm not sure about the physics but I think it's the hydraulic force of the weight of up to 5 gallons of fuel, which is probably expanding due to engine heat, overwhelming the float valve on the lowest of the carbs.

BTW, 50 miles a year is 50 more than mine has managed to do for the last 5 years Was hoping to get it back on the road this summer but losing confidence now.

Hi Tonto,

I fought the same issue for several years till I figured out that the foam floats in the carbs deteriorate with time, perhaps because of the alcohol in our fuels, they become heavier and allow the wet fuel level to rise till all the carbs are too full most of the time and the #1 & 2 cylinders just get washed away when the bike is parked on the side stand.

I'll bet if you wet set the floats you'd be surprised at how much you have to bend the tangs to get the fuel to the right level, which is 5.5 to 8 mm below the bowl gasket.

Let me know!
Bill

Hi Tonto

some owners have mounted a vaccum-petcock on the bike in order to get rid of any issues around fuel flowing when it shoudl not, in addition there might be the option to turn the mangnetic valve (in case yours is still mounted) from automatic operation into manual operation.

For the option on the vacuum petcock there is however a discussion in this forum as to some it does not work properly.

All the best

Holger

It makes sense. I own two Goldwings (apart from my KZ), and I've made it a habit to pop any bike I own up on the center stand if it's going to be sitting for any length of time. Problem with the Hondas is that, because it's got a flat-4, oil likes to seep past the guides and pistons and sit in the lower pistons. It's not a big deal, except when you go to start it it looks like you're fogging for mosquitoes...

Guys thanks for the clarity: went for a blast today and met a mate with several old Kwaks: Z's, GTR's GPZ's etc - and he said he's got into the habit of turning the fuel off before he comes to a stand-still

I just purchased a replacement Pingel fuel tap to cure the inherent stiffness in the old tap, but will defo look at resetting the float height. Oddly I currently have a similar flooding issue with my Z900 on No.3 carb - old bikes hey !!

Here she is in all her glory on a glorious English summers day - sadly we dont see too many of them each year - really enjoying riding the old girl.





Cheers Tim