Right guys s**t has hit the fan with my 3en1 track bike build. Im quite new to this track bike lark. She was running very rich when i bought 2 weeks ago, bogging down and dying on low revs, stripped cleaned and synced the carbs, new plugs, fired up, quick poodle down the lane all seemed better!

Back in the brick shed today. Backfire. Go again and some life, White smoke from exhaust which i can only diagnose as the head gasket! Not only this but the exup valve sounds like its rattling like mad (not too much of an issue going to be buying a full black widow system) and as i dropped my ear down there, a second rattle! Which sounds like the cam chain has had enough of life too.


Has anybody else had such a series of unfortunate events from one backfire?

With the new exhaust will i need to upgrade the jets?

And does anyone recommend a manual cam tensioner for this model?

That's a bit of a bugger! It could just be you need to adjust the exup cables for slack. There should be a couple of adjusters up around the tank area in think.
As for cam chain if you carefully remove the spring loaded top to the tensioner and gently push a screwdriver in it should click the tensioner down to stop the rattle. However if it doesn't it could be that you are at the max and need a new chain.
The jets in it are designed for airbox and exup. You will need to jet it. It's best to put it on a dyno as you'll be chasing a good set up all over the place otherwise!
It could also be that someone has messed with the jets already as it was running rich!
For track set the idle higher. My 3tj was set to about 2500rpm. It helps pick up out of corners!

That mahoosive backfire could be fuel leaking into the cylinders, I had it on a GSXR before.
I would check the carb float valves and fuel levels.

Thanks for the advise guys!

Dob ive just stripped and rebuilt the bloody carbs, i didnt like reading that

Had a little play this morning, when the clutch is in the sound i beleive to be the cam chain rattle increases! And the white smoke stops. Im really not looking forward to dropping the engine.

Check the oil colour and the coolant colour and level - any scum in the coolant or slate coloured oil and it's probably the head.

I will have a check tomorrow. Daughters christening this weekend so looks like it will be next weekend before any major updates.

In other news, completely un related, saw this and got giddy! http://m.ebay.com/itm/161774845095 do i? Dont i? Paid £500 for the bike plus that £165 and other work would be pushing a grand. Could of just bought a 3tj for that lol

http://postimg.org/image/a2hvpw25h/

Heres my coolant colour.

Not to bad.

Is the white smoke constant, could the air filter have got wet or is there water in the fuel ? Water might have got into the engine through the carbs

This is my next point of call,

After replacing the coolant, the smoke has stopped. But we have a total loss of power and the dies this time around mid range revs.

Possible breather issue? Air filter clogged?

I really am baffled but that doesnt take alot as this is only my 2nd bike working on.

Remove the crankcase breather from the air box and vent it to atmosphere or catch bottle.
Cap off the inlet where it fitted to air box.

That removes that from the equation.

Remove the air filter and test engine running.
Retry with filter replaced.

Note results.

Any motorcycle diagnostics depend on logical changes/settings.....one at a time...noting results.

Obviously some problems will have been encountered before....this is where the forum comes into play.

Once the bike is started and running.
Remove and thoroughly clean the plugs....and I mean back to as good as new...both the porcelain and the electrodes.
(It is much easier with new plugs...but some have to work with budget constraints)
Refit the plugs and run the engine until it looses its power but try to maintain rpm just at that point for a few moments.
Kill the ignition,remove the plugs and inspect.
Hopefully the "plug chop" will give an indication of cylinder ignition conditions.