TOPIC:

1982 ltd 550!!
Im fed up with doing all this research asking all these questions doing all these things cleaning carbs checking for spark even made a new simple wire harness that came out pretty good purchased used but fairly new ic igniter even got a Cdi off eBay since I didn't have one new spark plugs new cables!!! Checked timing with piston at top dead center even new pulsed coils!!!! And still I get not even a studder of it coming back to life!!!! Just a simple back fire with black smoke from mufflers and a puff or some sort threw the carbs!!! Compression seems good !! Ps when I turn the engine threw the ignition magnet it turns pretty stiff then at some point it gets fairly easier than rest . I'm to the point were considering I have no money and no job since I my last bike was stolen and crashed!!! I'm beginning to think that I'll have to find a way and pay a motorcycle shop!!! This bike needs to be running soon I've already gotten new gas tank got it painted and ready got tires on the way too!!!

Did you lay your plugs on the head touching a bolt to see if you have spark?
Steve

Where do you live? Do you have a Kawasaki factory manual ?

Take 2 shots of Gentleman Jack and call me in the morning .

Im not a 550 guy , but someone here should be able to talk you thru your problem. These bike are pretty easy if you don't get mad

Compression, fuel, spark, which one don't you have?


.

I have put it on bolts and definitely have spark. It's getting fuel everything checks out compression I haven't tested with a gauge but they all suck or push out I don't really have a clue anymore.

If you don't have a gauge you can put your finger over the hole and turn it over with the starter. If you can hold it there, no runable compression. A lot of times the PO didn't know how or want to go through the hassle of adjusting the valves. They'll just ride until it won't run anymore, then sell it. That could be it. Check them.
Steve

Also if it's not your motorcycle previously could be the cams were installed incorrectly by previous innept maintenance. KZ550 timing not difficult, but possible to do wrong.

When I remove them I get suction or a push up I guess suction when piston is going down and when coming back up it pushes it put the bike only has 9000 miles I would say it's fairly in good condition another thing just this weekend I realized that the timing was actually really of I saw a picture of how they both are suppose to align with the edge of engine were gasket goes and fixed the cams to we're they are there with piston at TDC I even thought I did it wrong so I even went over it all again and recounted the pins on the chain to the marking on cam sprocket were chain goes on and everything seems pretty good actually . Must I mention when I got it the exhaust and engine was pretty dirty with like oil but a really grease like for example around the sprocket of the chain to rear tire I thought something has to be wrong there no engine just magically gets that dirty

Did you measure the valve clearances? You shouldn't be able to hold your finger over the hole while it "pushes".
Steve

No that's one thing I haven't done checked the valve clearances simply because I don't know what the purpose is and how I've only helped doing that once on a moped but didn't quite understand it.

You have the plug wires on the right plugs

Yes isn't it 1 and 4 together and 2 and 3 I think I've gotten past all that al pretty much learned most of that stuff hoping it be many of things id say my last thing would be what Steve said the valve clearances that would be maybe my last thing if could be I really really hope it fires