Motorcycle Repair: fuel injection/ engine cutting off, kawasaki ninja, fuel residue

Question
Hey Chris,

I have a 2001 Kawasaki Ninja (this may be fairly easy) I just bought from a guy in town. 8000 miles, runs great. I'm new to riding- I just got my license.

I was riding yesterday with a bunch of guys, real fast for the first time and my engine cut out on me and I couldn't get it back on. It would turn and turn and turn but it seemed like it just didn't have enough gas or the idle was too low to keep it running. I turned the engine off and turned the fuel line to off as well for about 10 mins. Then I put it in gear, clicked it on and it did just fine the rest of the way home. I was happy and everything was good until it happened again today. Recently I've put the best gas in it at the gas station but I only put in about 5 bucks. There were no problems with the engine running before then. Do you think this is the problem?


Answer
Hi Lia.

You could have an issue with the fuel valve itself.  It could need a rebuild, because it sounds like it is not shutting off properly.

It could also be an issue with the float valve gasket leaking in the carb.

To the best of your knowledge, has the bike spent any time in seasonal storage?  If so, then the entire fuel system needs cleaning to remove any excess fuel residue that would have built up during disuse.

Check those things and let me know what happens.
Good luck and ride safe.
FALCON