DR-Z 125 will not start!

I know little to none about dirt bikes and I just got my first one besides a little 50 when i was little. It's a 2004 Suzuki DR-Z 125 and I bought it on craigslist two days ago. It was running great and no problems until earlier today. I was riding down the road and all of the sudden it sounded like my chain fell off and the engine died, I tried kick starting but it was stuck. I looked up online and it told me to put it in gear, rock it, and try to kick start it. I did so and it free'd up the kic starter, but when I try and start it, it doesn't do anything at all. Doesn't sound anywhere close to starting just sounds like im kicking the stand down. I read something about draining the oil and if there is brass shaving in it that means somethings been blown but I haven't done it yet. Really hope someone can help me. Thanks.
 

SRAD97750

Moderator
Staff member
Welcome.
So, the kick start moves through the full travel normally but it doesn't feel like you're turning the engine internals?
Is there any resistance at all?
-BIG DAN:thumb:
 
Welcome.
So, the kick start moves through the full travel normally but it doesn't feel like you're turning the engine internals?
Is there any resistance at all?
-BIG DAN:thumb:
It sometimes feels a little jam but for most of the time now it is free, but it still feels like theres pressure on the kick starter.
 

SRAD97750

Moderator
Staff member
It sometimes feels a little jam but for most of the time now it is free, but it still feels like theres pressure on the kick starter.
As long as the lever returns, sounds normal for a 125cc 4T.
I would clean the carburetor, air filter, and install a new spark plug. Get fresh fuel.
These bikes run forever with little maintenance. Just start fresh.
-BIG DAN:thumb:
 
As long as the lever returns, sounds normal for a 125cc 4T.
I would clean the carburetor, air filter, and install a new spark plug. Get fresh fuel.
These bikes run forever with little maintenance. Just start fresh.
-BIG DAN:thumb:

I just tried kicking it again and it feels like theirs no compression but the engine is turning, any ideas?
 

SRAD97750

Moderator
Staff member
I just tried kicking it again and it feels like theirs no compression but the engine is turning, any ideas?
Sadly, I doubt your leg is calibrated.
You can perform an actual compression test to know what the psi reading is, or a leak down test to find the health of the compression.

I would clean the carburetor, air filter, and install a new spark plug. Get fresh fuel.
These bikes run forever with little maintenance. Just start fresh.

-BIG DAN:thumb:
 
A chain falling off noise? Like kachink kachink type noise? Also the engine was locked up then freed? I'd definitely check compression with a gauge. If you don't have compression next step is to pull the head. You could have dropped a valve or have timing chain issues. Hell maybe it just flooded with fuel and hydro locked. If you do have compression do like BIG DAN said.
 
A chain falling off noise? Like kachink kachink type noise? Also the engine was locked up then freed? I'd definitely check compression with a gauge. If you don't have compression next step is to pull the head. You could have dropped a valve or have timing chain issues. Hell maybe it just flooded with fuel and hydro locked. If you do have compression do like BIG DAN said.

Well it's been raining all day and my friend hosed mud off of it, not much mud but trying to keep our clothes clean for hauling it back in the truck. How do I get rid of hydro lock if it is that?
 
If it kicks over now it's past that. Like I said perform a compression test. If you have low compression (0-100 psi) it's time to pull apart and inspect, if you have decent to good compression (150-200 psi) probably need some maintenance. But I'm concerned about these noises and the condition that locked the motor. Even if it freed up and the engine rotates now, the damage may have been done. But again, first do a compression test.
 
First thing I think I would do is remove the spark plug and inspect for physical damage first. If it looks like an elf with a hammer has been in there the dropped valve that Steve is talking about sounds like a distinct possibilty. If the plug looks good other than color then you probably don't have the valve problem (though that was the first think I thought of). Ground the plug to the engine (if your friend knows nothing about motorcycles give him a screwdriver to hold the plug to the head with. if you want some real fun, give him a "screwdriver" to drink before he helps you with this test). once it is grounded turn the switch on (if so equipped) and work the kick starter. see if you have spark. If so, I would check to make sure you have fuel getting to the carburetor (take the line off with the valve in the off position, hold the hose over a fuel can and turn it on). Do that out of doors. if you have flow to the carburetor you can try putting some fuel down the spark plug hole, reinstalling the spark plug. and kicking it through. if it tries to run, you can bet that you may have a problem inside the carburetor. A condition known as "dirty".

We can all take you on to the next steps, but your engine needs fuel and spark to go. Like the others I am concerned about what you have in the "locked" dept.
 
First thing I think I would do is remove the spark plug and inspect for physical damage first. If it looks like an elf with a hammer has been in there the dropped valve that Steve is talking about sounds like a distinct possibilty. If the plug looks good other than color then you probably don't have the valve problem (though that was the first think I thought of). Ground the plug to the engine (if your friend knows nothing about motorcycles give him a screwdriver to hold the plug to the head with. if you want some real fun, give him a "screwdriver" to drink before he helps you with this test). once it is grounded turn the switch on (if so equipped) and work the kick starter. see if you have spark. If so, I would check to make sure you have fuel getting to the carburetor (take the line off with the valve in the off position, hold the hose over a fuel can and turn it on). Do that out of doors. if you have flow to the carburetor you can try putting some fuel down the spark plug hole, reinstalling the spark plug. and kicking it through. if it tries to run, you can bet that you may have a problem inside the carburetor. A condition known as "dirty".

We can all take you on to the next steps, but your engine needs fuel and spark to go. Like the others I am concerned about what you have in the "locked" dept.

I took the spark plug out and it looked clean, almost new but it was kind of hard to unscrew because at the end it looked like some of the metal melted. Not much. Also the carb is getting fuel because it's leaking badly. I also opened the carb and looked inside and it's really clean. I'll try the gas in spark plug thing
 
Gas in spark plug hole didn't help. To me when I kick the starter, it sounds like you're trying to start a lawn mower but the thing that spins in the mower isn't connected to anything.
 
That is why I told you to have a friend do it. If you had the throttle held on during that test and you know the gauge works i think its time to check for s bent valve and or jumped timing.
 
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