out of my league

[stevo2]

HI
i just signed up . been reading through some of the posts, seems like some of you guys really know your bikes.
So maybe someone can help me out.
I have a 2001 baggy 660 that i love but i confess since i got a new crotch rocket have neglected to ride as much.
But just can' bring myself to sell.
I know just enough to be dangerous.
The problem is the bike would not start until i put in a new plug (fair enough)i took her for a short 20k ride.2days later
same deal .new plug short ride .so i have done this dance a few times now (getting old) the plug seems dry but carbonated.
A friend suggested the choke could be stuck in open position, does not seem to be the case. a stronger than usuall smell of fuel is present so i guess she is running rich I dont now much about carbs, is there some adjustment i can make without opening the carb up as this would be entering the dangerous part of my skill level .i have sprayed carb cleaner and used fuel system cleaner additive before those short rides i mentioned.
Thanks for any help

[OLDMTNCARVER]

Great to welcome you to this forum,
Like you I'm learning. Members like Bill Jurgenson, Mark from slipstream (Wonky) and Keithcross, as others have a weath of information. Just spending an evening going back through past posts and you'll be overloaded with great information as I've been all to often.
If you haven't done a basic service. Oil and filter are available from the local Yamaha dealer. clean and service the air filter or replace it. The filter is available from the local KTM / Husqvarna dealer.
I would start from the basics (I'm in the process with my own '01 Baghira). Draining the tank, the proper amount of additive and running the engine through several heat cycles even if and a plug change is included, plugs can be cleaned and too rich won't hurt the engine.
Examine the plugs for how rich the mixure is and adjust them to the proper settings.
Beyond these, humble thoughts, I'll step aside for greater understanding and experiance. And learn with you!
Best wishes,
OMC

[keithcross]

I would try the above, but I had a similar problem with my Baggi. It turned out to be the cold running jet (choke) sticking part way open. IE the bike was running with the choke part way on.
If you look at the left hand carb, you will see the choke cable entering the carb body. The jet and mechanism is held in via a (I think) 12mm headed brass bush. carefully remove this bus and using some release agent (one that wont attack rubber) pull out the cold running mechanism. Give this a good clean with WD40 or similar and re-assemble. Take care when tightening the 12 mm brass headed bush, it only needs to be `nipped' up.
Hopefully this will cure your problems.

Keith

[phlat65]

also, float can stick adding fuel to the oil supply, which can cause problems too. I agree that the likely culprit is the choke sticking. is it hard to rotate the choke lever? it should be buttery smooth. pull the oil cap off and give it a good wiff.

[Bill Jurgenson]

The so-called choke fouls up quite often, regardless of bike model.
I can imagine, it is less well "protected" on a Baggi than on a Skorpion. What gets it most, however, is cleaning the bike with a high-pressure washer.
This sort of hosing down, ruins lots of things and is really best avoided entirely.
Prime targets to be ruined are of the course the chain, but above all, the entire spring linkage in back. Rearwheel bearings and spacers, too.

b

[stevo2]

Thanks you for all the response so far .
The oil does have a slight fuel odor.please excuse my ignorance but is the float access located on the left hand side of the carb where the choke cable enters the carb.There is a cover plate held on by 2 screws could that be it.I am in the process of getting the cd that andyw is selling as without any manuals i feel like i am flying blind.As a last resort i will take it in to be worked on , but i am still far to stubborn at the moment, plus i would realy like to learn.
Thanks again
stevo2

[keithcross]

Hi

No need to buy the cd, a lot of it is available on line now. Look at
http://www.teamslipstream.co.uk/mz.php
Most of whats available and useful is on this site. Also if you search the web for the Yamaha SRZ660, you should find a workshop manual for the engine, carbs, starting and charging included. These are the same as your bike.
For your info I scanned the parts manual into BMP format a few years ago. This has been put into PDF by others now.

Keith

[Wonkmeister]

Hi and welcome,
Indeed i would also look at the choke mechanism, but, firstly i would look at the condition of your choke cable and check the you are pushing the choke all the way back to the off position. As daft as it sounds, i had a Baghira in which was running lumpy and smelt of fuel, when riding it i pulled back into the workshop and pushed the choke a bit harder with my thumb and the choke moved back a little, the revs immediately settled and the bike cut out, once the idle adjuster was re-set back to where it needed to be the bike started, it had a few bumps and spurts and then settled. I squirted some WD40 down the cable and gave it a good working in and the cable freed up. Worth checking, sometimes the cable can fray even just one fibre of the woven cable and cause friction, when the broken cable fibre bends up it can stop the choke from returning to its "off" position. Usually you will notice this nearer the "off" position as the choke becomes stiff, but i have known cables to feel relatively free yet they are being restricted by damaged cable. Always worth a check before you dismantle anything else.

The cable is basically like a bicylce brake cable with a nipple on the end, they do get rusty and can snap, they also deserve a good squirt of WD40 every now and then, or remove from the outer casing and give it a good rub with Teflon grease or something thats not too dense and sticky! That'll keep it working as it should!