Does heat and high humidity affect the engine?

Hello All:

I have a 1981 kz550 ltd. Up until this heatwave in minneapolis the bike was running fine. I didn't have time to ride it for maybe four weeks. Now it won't start, it just turns over. Is there any chance that 95 degree weather and high humidity would affect that?

Thanks,

Joel

smørbrød wrote:

Hello All:

I have a 1981 kz550 ltd. Up until this heatwave in minneapolis the bike was running fine. I didn't have time to ride it for maybe four weeks. Now it won't start, it just turns over. Is there any chance that 95 degree weather and high humidity would affect that?

Thanks,

Joel

No it shouldn't.

Check the basics,fuel,spark,compression.

Thanks. It has fuel and compression. I'll check the spark.

Assuming it has a vacuum petcock, did you try starting it in the PRI position?

As the others wrote, For the most part no, shouldn't effect it but..... you have a lead acid battery!

When you say it turns over, does it seem slower then usual?

We face this here in AZ where these type of batteries just don't last here and I'm not just talking motorcycles. Any battery, don't care what kind or who makes it... THEY DON'T LIKE HEAT....

They can deal with the cold just fine but heat, kills them like an ex-wife does to ya.... :blink: :laugh:

If you have this type of battery, look at the posts, all white (acid paste/chalky), corroded etc...

Check your battery voltage.... Clean the terminals and charge up....

Also, doesn't your model have engine start inter lock switches and such.... If so, may want to confirm those are operating correctly as well....

Ar mentioned before, the spark is what I would check for first. Check all for plugs if possible. Did you see if it will fire with starting fluid (or any kind of positive prime)? It could be a bad fuel supply or week/no spark.

I found the problem. The ground wire that runs from the battery to the frame was disconnected. Thanks to everyone

Hey! Where in Minneapolis are you? I'm out on the west end of Minnetonka in Mound. Did you make it to First Thursday at Dulano's Pizza last week?

I live up in northeast, west of central and south of physco suzie's.