Hi everyone,

My 1998 Estrella has the following issue:

The engine very often does not rev down when I release the speed handle.
This is very dangerous as the engine keeps running fast even when I want to slow down.
I have checked the cable from the handle to the carburettor and they are in perfect order.
The carb enrichment screw is set at 2. 1/4 turns as recommanded on the Estrella site.
The bike has done only 5.0000 real kms and is in as new condition and runs great (apart from this problem).
I've dismantled and cleaned the carb and also checked possible air leaks everywhere.
I've also checked the valves settings.

Any idea ?

Regards

Bernard

Bonsoir Bernard!

Ma connaissance de langue francaise téchnique n'est pas assez bien pour éxpliquer une solution pour ton problème.
Alors je vais l'essayer en anglais ...

The problem you described is very known to Estrella drivers.
I had exactly the same problems with my Estrella before.
It is usually not a carb or cable problem, but will normally be caused by a wrong valve setting.

The valve setting for the Estrella is a bit tricky.
If the setting is too tight, the engine will show the symptoms as you described in your message.
Did you execute the setting as described in this manual?

The setting should be close to the higher values:
- intake valve about 0,17mm
- outtake valve about 0,22mm

After the valve setting on my Estrella has been done according to the above mentioned values, the problem has disappered.
The works should be made on a cold engine.

Here you will find a manual in pictures, just in case you will do the setting yourself.

May be you try the setting again accordingly.

Au revoir et bonne chance
Uwe

Hi Uwe,**Thans veryt much for you kind

Hi Uwe,

Thanks very much for you quick and kind response.

Don't worry about your french as my german is even worse !

I have actually set the valves at 0.15 and 0.20 on the occasion of the carb cleaning.

I guess it is still not enough and I will reset them at 0.17 and 0.22 next week.

I will keep you informed on the result of the new setting.

Kind Regards

Bernard

PS: do you know - technically speaking - how the valves settings can create this strange engine surging ?

Also,

Why must the gearbox put in fith gear for the valve setting ?

Because it is easier to turn the back wheel.

I have the same problem and I will turn the enrichment screw anticlockwise to enrich the gas.
Also I will check the valve setting. (The bike is not where I am now).
Try to check the valve setting again.
Sometimes it is not correct, although it was adjusted properly.
That' what I heard from other Estrella-Riders.
It seems to be a frequent problem.

Good luck!

Soulie

Hi,

I have re-checked the valve settings and it seems they had been inverted by the Kawasaki garage (!)

I have reset them at a little less than 0.20 and 0.25 (I don't have the thinner shims).

I have also modified the enrichment screw setting by adding half a turn (now 3 turns).

These new settings have significantly improved the engine's behaviour although some surging is still happening from time to time.

I will drive the bike like this and try and fine tune the settings later on if necessary.

Thanks everyone for your very useful advice.

Regards

Bernard

Your 1998 Estrella needs shims to adjust the valve clearance?
Are You sure?
We had this problem with the throttle not revving down a couple of years ago with my wife's Estrella.
This was really dangerous. Fortunately, there was an expert nearby, who asked me to bring him the carburator.
What he did was to put some special grease onto the rubber membrane. Afterwards the problem was gone.
It sounds queer, but it worked - and still does.
It seems to be the problem with motorbikes that have been parked for a long time instead of being driven.

Cheers
Soulie

Hi Soulie,

I did check this rubber membrane when I cleaned the carb and it seemed OK
although the bike had been sitting several years.
I making a good note of your point though, just in case...

Regards

Bernard