Any input on diagnostics?

[ninjagirlbobbi]

Hey guys! Recently did a full inspection at a kawasaki shop, and they said i could use a lean mixture carb adjustment. They also said since i had 15,000 miles that it would be due for a full service. But i was wondering what you guys thought about the lean mixture carb adjustment?

[csmith12]

Yes, the bikes come lean from the factory and again yes, if you haven't done any maintenance, it's time... waaaayyyy past time.

[ninjagirlbobbi]

So should i not ride it too much? Or is it ok but need to do the service asap?

[jkv45]

Originally Posted by ninjagirlbobbi

So should i not ride it too much? Or is it ok but need to do the service asap?

Depends on what needs to be done.

Things like chain lube and adjustment, oil/filter change, brake fluid change, coolant check/change, all NEED to be done in order for the cycle to be safe on the road.

Almost all carbs are lean from the factory. The adjustment screws are capped-over to keep to from tampering with that adjustment. If/when the carbs come off of he the cycle, most people will remove the caps so they can make adjustments. Maybe someone has done it (removed the caps) with the carbs on, but it would be pretty tough to do. If it idles smoothly and doesn't stumble when you take off it's not too far off. If you can get gas without ethanol it will help it to run better. Syncing the carbs is also a normal maintenance item.

Valve adjustments may need to be done at this point if they have not been already. Typically a ticking noise from the top of the engine tells you they are out of adjustment.

[Triple Jim]

My Pregen's symptoms were the typical hard to start and keep running when cold, but OK when warm. When cold, it either idled at 500 rpm or 3,000 rpm. The all valves but one were too tight, so no ticking noise. Do the new ones tend to have the clearances grow instead?

[Flying]

Originally Posted by Triple Jim

My Pregen's symptoms were the typical hard to start and keep running when cold, but OK when warm. When cold, it either idled at 500 rpm or 3,000 rpm. The all valves but one were too tight, so no ticking noise. Do the new ones tend to have the clearances grow instead?

Newgen bikes also get tight over time.

[Ralgha]

Eh, in my opinion the only things that would significantly contribute to safety are brakes and fluid, chain condition/adjustment/lube, and tire condition.

Neglected coolant might cause your engine to overheat, which might strand you somewhere, but I don't think it would cause you to wipe out. Neglected oil could damage the engine, again possibly stranding you somewhere, but actually causing a wipe out is slim (unless it seized, but that's pretty extreme).

Not to say you should neglect those, but I'd put them at a somewhat lower priority than brakes, tires, and chain, any one of which could easily kill you if they malfunctioned.

[Motofool]

Originally Posted by ninjagirlbobbi

Hey guys! Recently did a full inspection at a kawasaki shop, and they said i could use a lean mixture carb adjustment. They also said since i had 15,000 miles that it would be due for a full service. But i was wondering what you guys thought about the lean mixture carb adjustment?

What was the reason to take your bike to that shop?

Would you know how to do maintenance and service yourself?
Would you have a place and the tools to do it?