"GSX-R400R SP Nightmare: Cylinder Head Fix Gone Wrong? - Why Won’t It Start?!"

[@bananabrooks3836]

Personally l dont get tired of these carb problem videos, each one has its own idiosyncrasies and opportunities for learning.

[@davidmitchell2311]

Jim top tip. Put your phone on silent when you're filming, lol. Love the content, and the language is normal for me coming from Northern Ireland road bike heaven. Keep it up

[@patthewoodboy]

do the simple things first is a great philosophy. I remember meeting a stranded motorcyclist , he said the bike just stopped , I had a quick look and he had forgotten to turn the petrol tap on 🙂

[@paul8161]

Yeah or maybe you forget to switch the tap onto reserve when you hit reserve ,, ooops,, or I didn't have a fuel tap on my newest bike to me at the time and didn't know with the bike that when it hit reserve or low fuel it stopped, called out the bike garage and they said don't worry we recover you which they did and got it working. 😂

[@nickandliz]

100% the best channel on KZbin right now. Thank you for doing these videos. They are brilliant and I am learning so much.

[@paulswank2695]

Coming to you from California!!! Love your videos Jim, I'm a Kawasaki guy myself and not a professional mechanic, but I dabble as a hobby and watch and listen to your show fairly regularly. No need for apologies for rambling... that's what Engineers do to keep the steps clear and fluidly work the flow chart in our heads!... it's kind of a check and balance... in real time.

[@tadbeer9173]

You just ain't old enough Jim😄 Plug spanner was what would be used in early days of IC engineering. The name has stuck as with most things. There were no sockets back then. Box spanners and spanners were the norm. Great site mate I like watching your progress. As a mechanic I was cars and bikes, then branched into fork trucks and tractors. 🙂

[@redtobertshateshandles]

A plug spanner has a rubber insert to grab the plug. A modern definition, anyway.

[@paul8161]

That was an interesting comment. Thanks.

[@pauldale4874]

I seen GSXR400 and got all excited, then realised it was the GK73 not the GK76. I own a GK76 in a very poor state at the moment. I've always had carb issues (or what appears to be carb issues) since owning her. This video has helped and given me a clear idea of where to start from when I get the chance to look at her. Looking forward to the second part. Keep up the good work!!

[@redtobertshateshandles]

Here in Australia we have red Bull dust, which is so fine it finds it's way into float bowls and builds up enough to block pilot jets. Usually on 125cc size carburettors. So 100cc carbs it's even worse.

[@666squidly]

That's probably a genuine factory seat unit, they were all fibreglass, the story I know is there was only about 1000 Gk73a SP made and they decided that for a low run bike the tooling was too expensive so did the seats unit the cheaper way. I got my one pretty much fresh off the container in the mid 90's, I was at Seastar Superbikes with a mate who was picking up his NC30 and they had just wheeled my one into the place hadn't even inspected it, I fell in love and put a deposit down there and then.

[@joshuaanothereraseddad]

People call me crazy because one of the first things I check on no start vehicles is compression.That and spark was what I checked first on an 02 Busa project I recently picked up that had sat for six years. You sir, have a new subscriber, and I'm just 4 mins into the vid haha! Can't wait to see the outcome.

[@LinkinMcOwnage]

My kind of bike Jim. Here in Aus, I am a fanatic of 250 four cylinders. The 400's were never here in large numbers due to licensing for learners being restricted to 250's, so naturally everyone had the fastest ones you could get. I have had many many FZR250R's, still have one now as my daily, a 3LN6 model, rarer than most due to only selling ~2,000 units out of Japan. Have also had GSXR250R GJ73A, Bandit GJ77A with the variable valve jobby (this one was an official import and not a grey import), ZXR250C Malaysian built import (no 180km/h restrictor like the Japanese ones, and a 240km/h speedo - hit 210km/h indicated on that!), FZX250 Zeal (naked FZR250). I have not yet had a CBR250RR or Hornet, maybe one day. Most were busted arse shitboxes that gave me no end of trouble, but through their trials and tribulations I became a qualified motorcycle mechanic and value the experience. As always, carbs!!! the 3LN1, 3LN3, 3LN5 FZR250 carburettors... Yamaha cheaped out and removed most of the jet needle (emulsion tube needle) retention mechanism that the earlier models had, only to restore it for the 3LN6 and 3LN7 models (~3000 units total). The result as you can imagine is clapped out needles, using more fuel than a 5 litre V8 in heavy traffic, and absolutely terrible performance. Once sorted they are a little rocket. Keen to see how you go with this one.

[@samh3145]

Nice one, the GK73 looks much easier to work on than the GK76 I recently had to do

[@stephenmerrill9890]

I think they are plug spanners because we used to use box spanners to take out the plugs before you could get sockets.

[@markholden57]

love your videos jim,keep up the good work mate😀😀😀

[@colinbagshaw1796]

They’ve put the wrong piston tdc when putting the camchain back on so the pickups are firing on exhaust strobe or they have the pickups mixed

[@DMRMOTORSPORT]

Interesting

[@georgebeast7024]

And i like you dont use awfull disturbing music. Keeps me in the flow. thanks

[@ThomasMoore.1]

Once again, always something to be learned from watching your videos Jim

[@Macfam-Garage]

Good job Jim… I just love how you talk the problems trough…I also find myself talking all the time and discussing the procedures with myself✌️✌️😁🚜

[@JohnWhite-tg9wf]

loverly little pocket rocket Jim, looks in good nick hopefully the niose will stop once its warmed up, looking forward to part two

[@garybrown6966]

I have a gsxr400 73 sp and the seats are fibreglass that is standard mine didn't run until cleaned carbs properly and put it all back together and run very well.

[@diggy-d8w]

"Valve Timing"..... No, I wasn't thinking that or anything else about it. I don't get paid enough to think about this so I'm watching you "Thinking about it". Great work and impressive as usual. Happy Holiday Seasons to ALL

[@matthewharmer1656]

Easy when you know what your doing jim.... nice one.

[@andyjrichie6709]

Well done my good man, look forward to next video

[@PicturebikeMXphotography]

Great vid as always, I had the SP2 version years ago was my first bike, wish I still had it was awesome. I went on to own the ZXR400 H1 SP after another great bike. Ducati now, must be mad :)

[@stuartrogers776]

Cheers Jim Love watching you work through the problem, taking your own advice and starting with a compression test first even though your first thought was carbs, and where do we end up? Yep the Carbs!!!! cheers. Stuart in New Zealand

[@kingkong180280]

I had one of these years ago .bought from a guy In Linlithgow.had to go back to him and get another engine off him. . No compression cylinder 3 Fun wee bike

[@jonathanspencer8305]

Love the carb vids, that's the reason I joined patreon.

[@andrewwallis328]

Great video as usual. Can’t wait to see the next one when she’s running sweet 👌

[@wswan81]

Plug socket is perfectly fine here in the southern hemisphere...plug spanner we refer to those multi tool screwdriver t handle socket things like you get with a chainsaw.

[@firestorm755]

I remember those little 400s. Back in the day the manufacturers had a rev war. Who could make a bike that would rev the highest. 16 to 18k was fairly common. I had a mate with a zxr400 and i had the big ZZR11. The little 400 could hold it's own but the revs were enormous and they were reliable too.

[@baduridgeback4926]

Jim, I had a CBR1000XX Blackbird for maintenance. It did not start afterwards until I changed plugwires from 1&2 coils. Took me 4hrs to figure out…..

[@billywilliams8833]

This bike was for sale in Leicester a year or so ago, Apparently fully restored so not sure why exhaust studs are snapped off on it. Unless it was a Bodge job, it's definitely been fully painted and lots of Zinc plated parts that are the wrong colour.

[@bananabrooks3836]

British race series rules: 400 four strokes and 250 two strokes pitted against each other, see Whitham v Foggy.

[@FunTravel-jm9ss]

Thanks for another interesting video, great to see another amazing bike get revived 👍🏼

[@JapVanMan]

Love these grey imports . Had a nc23 cbr 400 back in '02 painted up in the babyblade red white and blue scheme. Was a beast of a bike but the 18" rear wheel was a pain to get tyres for !! Didn't help doing burnouts 😂😂😂

[@Herco28]

Always disappointed when we got to " to be continued" 😂. Waiting in anticipation for round two. Thank you Jim.

[@redtobertshateshandles]

When the GSX550 came out I serviced and test rode one which blew the voltage regulator and fried the whole electrical system. Owner was not happy. I told him that it was lucky it was me, not him. You can keep these crazy rev machines.

[@geraldfitzgibbon7428]

Plug sockett makes it sound like what we would plug the kettle into ❤

[@darkside8072]

If memory serves me well,all these 400’s came with 110 main jets ,with a replacement exhaust they used to run 120’s or a massive black spot ,had a CBR 400rr & a VFR400r,fantastic handling on the twisties 😂✌️

[@archiemilligan1565]

Have you tried soaking intake rubbers (or any other rubber parts) in wintergreen oil mixed with isopropal alchohol. Did my 1978 CB750 carb rubbers (which were as hard as the taxman's heart) for a week and they were like new, nice and supple.

[@kepamurray1845]

"Another carb cleaning video!" 😂 As long as there are other points of interest, bring it on. Plug socket here in Australia. Thanks Jim.

[@johnpartridge7623]

Good job Jim, look forward to the next instalment 👍

[@nigelsride]

Nice one Jim, loved the hammer 😂, blimey that was confusing 👍👍

[@antimosh]

These and 250s suffered terribly from bad regulators and Ecu's. Also the choke slide used to stick and not return.

[@weekendmodeller2740]

My 125 was just the same un till I swapped all 4 spark plug caps around. Cheers Jim.

[@rogerkay8603]

125 with 4 cylinders, what is it, a Ducati?

[@aleishareed5063]

my dads gs1000 came from bill smith motors, it still has the dealer reg plate.

[@bobskingle5762]

Always called it a plug spanner. Socket sets arrived a long time after spark plugs.

[@Patchesrepairshop]

What a beautiful looking bike! Another great video Jim thank you 👍

[@rickcrespo5410]

I love these 90's 400's, or any of 90-2000s sport bikes.

[@antondontchev5656]

Been watching your videos. Love them! :) about the plug spanner. I am Bulgarian and funny enough, in Bulgarian it is a plug spanner as well :) made me thinking after I watched that bit. :)

[@1985murphy]

Love theses bikes I owned a black on sp 19 years ago until someone pulled out on me and wrote it off lovely bike

[@noelcasley4512]

Another great video ❤

[@adivarso8175]

Might want to check the jetting on it too. Wonder when that old micron exhaust can was last repacked.

[@harryw9598]

lovely my first bike ,gixxer 400 i had the standard. 4 into 2 pipe remember the f3 races 400 4stroke against 250 2stroke in the day.

[@peterferryman4905]

PRO-tip Hard and shrunk rubber, a "bath" in karosene will make them soft and swell, just be careful and keep check so its not to much 😎😎😎

[@barryneul8954]

Simples, before the advent of Sockets and ratchets, we had Box spanners.

[@paulcrane2010]

Love watching your work Jim. Can you either sell your gloves as merch or let me know where you get from 😂

[@spatchist]

Judging by the colour they're Ansell touchntuff 92-600's , recommended by me at least.

[@paulcrane2010]

@ superb cheers

[@snipperukandy3158]

My 1st big bike after my test .... Gsr400 gk73a in burgundy on a D plate

[@sb-s395]

I’d never thought about it being called a plug spanner… however now I am, thanks I guess?

[@antimosh]

I like the way the crows are mocking starter motor noises 9:40

[@Mark-l1f3g]

'Plug Spanner' - My theory is that motorcycle tool kits come supplied with a 'Box spanner' tool to remove the spark plugs - hence the term 'Plug Spanner' 👍👍

[@robertcolliver1985]

Mate your amazing will definitely get u to service and look after my gsxr 1000 k1 for sure 👍👍👍👍👍

[@kevinansell9341]

Those were the Days, Grabbing 400cc imports from Japan via Bat Motorcycles Biggin Hill and having to clean every single Bikes Carbs lol

[@glynntipper9354]

Plug spanner because they were originally a box spanner with a Tommy bar ?

[@cecilwilson5442]

Cracking motorcycle shows how you should properly mark off stuff before you remove it,, 😕☘️☘️☘️☘️ from northern Ireland

[@neilmartin5345]

It's called a plug spanner possibly because they used to use box spanners to remove plugs.

[@wallabybob3020]

Was that Bill Smith Motors in Brook Street, Chester Jim?

[@dhc8guru]

Your customers could save a lot of time by having two sets of carbs. One set you have ready to go at your shop that you swap out every year after they let their bike sit without riding it.

[@stuwhite2337]

I use a plug spanner on my old British Seagull outboard. Usual an adjustable.

[@markyoung13]

I can't believe that Suzuki went back to 'up and over' frames after they built these. They didn't do gash welding like that subframe either...

[@benclarke2754]

You might find that the carb rubbers are the same as the modern Bandits; check your part numbers, if you can.

[@markaddy53]

great job so far lad next video please

[@JohnSmith-ee7gf]

Plug spanner was a socket with t-handle which pivots.

[@iantribe1166]

Jim how knowledgeable were the people that done the head god if they have mixed up the coil packs or the HT leads what else are you going find could be a hornets nest or a very deep rabbit hole you are going to disappear down but fair play for taking it on look forward to part 2,3,4,5,6, hopefully not😂

[@jbsworkshop]

Those 400 carbs are some of the most finicky carbs to sort out. I’ve done a few sets a while ago & everything had to be 100% or it wouldn’t run,had such a game getting the air box back on 😂😂I am sure it’s in the best hands though 👍

[@kainetyrie5355]

22:20 what bike is that in the background? My gut says early gsxr but that clutch cable is messing with me and those calipers

[@cypeman8037]

I watch a few channels that are bike related, absolutely love your skill and dedication with your customers bikes, brilliant. I’m not subscribed, your channel comes up in my feed quite regularly. As others have said, the swearing if off putting, the waffling is at time monumental, and off putting, hence I don’t subscribe or watch. I would imaging there are lots of your subscribers who don’t mind either way, so be it, it’s not my cuppa. Foul language has a place and I don’t think it’s in normal conversation. Some of my friends and family don’t agree, but hey ho, I can’t control what come out of their or your mouths, and I don’t want to, but you are publishing videos showing your everyday work to the world, cussing doesn’t lend itself to a product that is supposed to educate and entertain, people are distracted and therefore are not willing to watch your content. People reading this please don’t come out with the cliche that all bikers are hairy arsed with beards and cuss at every opportunity, they don’t.

[@johndaniell887]

I've always called it a plug spanner that's what it's and used for

[@teamgas]

They were originally box spanner’s?

[@johnridley5507]

Watching this still missing could it still be plug leads, when’s next video 🙏🙏

[@SuperbikeSurgeryTV]

Next Friday 👍

[@johnridley5507]

@ clever sod love watching your diagnosis videos , good learning 👍👍

[@Saixtanwar]

After 50 years in the motor trade i have never heard anyone call it a plug spanner.

[@mickeymouse4897]

trade then bro ... or you're a car salesman that knows nowt.

[@regvantoolbox5883]

Jim…please tell me why you can’t get three more compression testers and do all 4 cylinders in one hit ? 🤔

[@markneblett2777]

Come over to the left side of the Pond -- they're plug sockets over here :)

[@markt5426]

Hi Jim, great video and enjoying the content. Did you work at Bill Smiths in Hoole, Chester?

[@kevinalexander595]

Why don’t you spray brake cleaner in the intake to see if it fires to check the spark

[@munter10]

Blocked pilot jets for sure! Here in NZ we call it a spark plug socket.. always have, always will. Jim… please, please, PLEASE try to train your breathing, try to stop constantly taking deep breaths, just go a bit shallower on the breathing, if you can.. Love your vids mate , a kiwi bike mechanic.

[@Muller-s5f]

Muller: The second worst thing about getting old is losing your memory. Jim: What's the first thing? Muller: I can't remember.

[@rwd323]

I miss my Gsxr400 😢 (apart from the time one exhaust valve become lodged in the piston 😂)

[@paulcharlton2353]

I`m guessing that as early engines didn`t have recessed spark plugs due to the engine architecture, the removal tool would have been a spanner and the name just stuck?

[@davylad4804]

Things I love about your channel = the waffle Things I don’t like about your channel = you saying you’re waffling

[@MRBUN75]

Stupid question here but could the camshafts be 180° out???

[@nigelwilson8331]

I allways thaught a spark plug spanner was thinner and had a rubber ring in it to hold the plug.where a standard socket doesnt have the ring.😮.

[@aajules]

Appologies if im wrong, I believe we're around similar ages, 54 for me.... love the vids but more importantly I'm so glad that its not just me that has a Spaghetti memory and now i don't have to go to the doctor...!!! must be the watery stuff we've drank over the years or sniffing brake cleaner😆😆

[@motorcyclegarage2307]

Working on a Suzuki, what is it with the way they are put together. I am on a VS800GL OMG.

[@pargent1960]

plug spanners,, from when they were spanners, side valve engines , plug is easy to get too

[@michaelbarron533]

Right on !😄

[@ParedCheese]

It's because "socket" is short for "socket spanner".

[@535832]

Why do you need the throttle cable connected when doing the compression test as the engine turns on the starter.

[@sharg0]

If the intake is restricted by the throttle the cylinder wont be able to grab a full load of air thus the compression meter wont give a correct readout (to low value).

[@eliotmansfield]

got to assume the oil is contaminated with fuel - so needs changing before it does the bearings

[@paultanton4307]

@ 19.25

[@eliotmansfield]

@ “looks clean and oily” isn’t the same as smelling it and running it through your fingers. I’ve had expensive engines trashed due to fuel going down the bore when troubleshooting

[@garymorgan628]

Did someone put the leads back on from right to left rather than left to right 🤔

[@ribbster123]

traditionally they used box spanners to remove plugs , so i assume its stuck .