What have you done with your bike today?

[Brockett]

The XJ is sulking about something and it won't start.

The plugs ( yes all four) are Wet and Black  So maybe overly rich.

According to the Haynes manual pilot screw setting is three turns out.

Now is the time for a silly question : is three turns out  3 X 360 degrees or 3 X 180 degrees?

[Rixington43]

Whilst I have no specific knowledge of the carbs in question, I would guess at '1 turn' being 360 degrees.

[Barbel Mick]

Otherwise it's only half a turn?   

[nigel s]

1 turn is 360, but two actions with the screwdriver,which is where the confusion comes from,or as Mick said how do you get 1/2 turn.
But if it was running OK before I doubt that is the problem,unless you have been fiddling?
Blocked air intake/filter?
Look where you were last working for a clue to any sudden change in "performance".

[endintears]

@Brockett
3x360
However as others have pointed out what's changed [suddenly] since it was last starting/ running OK ?
If I remember rightly you repaired some wiring and filled it with fuel from cans.
Given it did start there was still a spark, the plugs are wet so there's fuel.
I'd go for contaminated fuel (water?) or as nigel has mentioned somehow the air intake has become restricted when you've reassembled it after working on the wiring.
Compression + air & fuel + a spark at approximately the right time and it should go bang 
Anyway 

[Brockett]

Thanks for all your comments.
New fresh fuel was used.
I stripped out the carbs and they are clean and all jets and the needles are correct sizes and on the right settings.
I had set the pilot air screws correctly three X 360 degree turns
So it's a puzzle as to why all of the plugs are black. Whatever is causing that is affecting all cylinders. 

However.... after the above post and before I removed the carbs, I checked the TPS. This is done via the rev counter which is centred at 5000 rpm and out of range at 1000 or 10000. The needle fluctuated beteween 1000 and 5000 so fast that it never settled. I waggled the wiring in case there was break or poor conection and then slackened the screw and gave the unit a waggle and managed to settle it on 5000. So I am wondering if there was a poor contact in the TPS that prevented a clean start and then the engine flooded.  So many things eh!

[Asmith61]

I had half an hour Spare at work today so I started up the Triumph Trophy 1200 I have stored at work, I had not started it for about a year and it started after a few seconds, and it runs very well I ran it up for about 10 minutes until the fan cut in.
It has been on trickle charge all the time and the battery seems to be fine.
The last tank fill was filled with super unleaded.

[2112]

Nice one, I've had an 'early' 1200 trophy before and they are pretty bomb proof. Heavy, but they have an air of indestructability about them. Surprisingly agile too for a big old girl 

[Asmith61]

Yes you are right there mate it is a great bike in excellent standard condition.
It shares a corner at work with the V-Strom ( which still has a fuel leak when the ignition is turned on which I must get sorted soon 🤣) once I get that sorted I will get it out in the open and see if I can get on it anymore if not I may have to reluctantly sell it 😠

[The Doctor 46]

I too have owned a 1200 Trophy. I bought it used off a very meticulous man wo would strip the plastic off ones a month to clean it, even if it was clean. I loved it, it was quick and great on the twisty roads too. Sold it because problems with my divorce. I wish I could have kept it and just binned the ex wife sooner. 

[Asmith61]

Mine is a Trophy 4. as you have both said they are  surprisingly quick and nimble, I will try a add a couple of pictures ( been having trouble posting pictures of late)

[Brockett]

Re XJ600:- inside the main jet holder sandwiched between the main jet and the emulsion tube there lurkes a teeny tiny "O" ring. Each of the four carburettors said "O" rings are in various conditions ranging from "OMG" to something more like a "C". These little blighters are not mentioned in the Haynes manual but are available from Fowlers for the paltry sum of £4.25 each. Not a sum to be sneezed at as the merest puff would blow the things away. Never to be seen again. Ooops I digress. So a Question:- I have not seen such things in any other carburettor and am puzzled as to  the purpose of them. I have now replaced them with new ones, but will they get rotted out by the dreaded E10?   
Photo shows 8mm spanner for scale main jet and holder a new and an old "O" ring.

[nigel s]

E10.............ARGHH
Maybe, but it would take years I would not get too worried about it.
Good luck

[kwackboy]

Brockett, 

E10 fuel is fine if older vehicles are being used regularly however, being unused for months at a time is not recommended. 

[crump]

Took the FJR out for a little ride and had an all day brekkie at the Raven cafe.
Roads were a bit iffy but it was still enjoyable.
I love riding my little Strom but the motor on the big Yam is an absolute peach. She's a big old lump and getting on a bit but still rides lovely, doubt I'll ever sell her.

[Jim13_Wee_Strom]

@Brocket
I found tiny 'O' rings at the bottom of the Air mixture screw chambers on my Kawasaki Gt750 carbs and GS750 carbs... almost guarantees a seal when one is needed between two 'brass' surfaces imho. In neither case were they mentioned in the Haynes... but appeared in the rebuild kits when I rebuilt the carbs.

[Brockett]

XJ 600n:- While cleaning the carbs and checking as best I can I measured the float height as per the manual. They should be 8.8 to 10.8 mm. They were all 11.8. I removed the floats and valves and could see that all four needle valves are new. The carbs have other new parts which I am guessing were fitted when it was taken out of it's eight year sleep and brought back to life. I am wondering if the wrong needle valves have been fitted. The float height for US models is 11 to 13 mm. The needle valves are not the usual one piece brass type but are steel with a neoprene type tip.  The Floats may be adjustable but I see the usual bendy tabs are qyuite thick and not easy to bend. I think the next step will be to attach a tube to the drain and measure the actual fuel level against the line marked on the outer body of the carb.  Everyday a new puzzle:-

[Steve T]

Got it a bit dirty & salty when out checking pheasant feeders . . . . at minus 5 

[timangus]

Had to ride it to work as my MX5 is being sorted. At least I know that the low temp light works , even if the heated grips are somewhat weak.

[nigel s]

MX5 needs sorting eh.....that's what you get with Japanese rubbish....... oh, hang on......DOH   

Ho Hum