Garage Queen - 1978 KZ650

If the battery is low charge it slowly with a 2 amp or LESS charger; otherwise the battery life will be shortened. If the battery is old replace it.

DO NOT jump start the bike from a running vehicle as that can damage the bike's electrical system. Ed

Bad gas sounds like the float bowls and jets need to be cleaned.
Steve

Thats what Im guessing too - can that be done without removing the carbs completely?

The correct way is to remove the carbs, disassemble each one and thoroughly clean every passageway in the carb body. If you don't do it this way and try to clean them on the bike you will be fighting a losing battle and end up removing them any way.
By the way contrary, to what people say and believe , old gas in a tank cannot be made into good gas or into a carb cleaner by adding anything to it including high octane gas.

Won't run for SHT and stinks too.
Steve

I've bought numerous bikes that had been sitting for a long period of time and I cannot tell you how many sellers make the comment of, "I just filled it up with high octane gas and added some carb cleaner. That will clean out the carbs for you." What a stupid statement.

baldy110 wrote: I've bought numerous bikes that had been sitting for a long period of time and I cannot tell you how many sellers make the comment of, "I just filled it up with high octane gas and added some carb cleaner. That will clean out the carbs for you." What a stupid statement.

Agree! I once made the mistake of not using my bike for about 16 months, and I left fuel in the carbs. I had no problem starting the bike after installing a new battery, but it would not run more than 50 mph. I removed and cleaned the carbs (I did not need to separate them, just carefully cleaned the jet and orifices) and the bike ran like new again. I do not believe just putting in fresh gas and carb cleaner would have dissolved the red varnish that was on the internals unless maybe you submerged the carbs in pure carb cleaner and let them soak for a couple months. :laugh: Ed

Changed all the fluids.

I got it running !!! It idled for 10 min on 1/4 choke.





Actually drove it around the block. Then it backfired and died and I cant get it to run again.
So next....I'm pulling the carbs. and rebuilding them. I worry about re-syncing them - i don't have a tool for that, can you rent them?

Don't change anything. Just open the float bowels, clean the pilot jets with a guitar string or wire from a brush, squirt carb cleaner through the passages, make sure the main is clear, put back together. Use grease on the gasket to help it seal. Run it.
Steve

I am assuming they need need to come off the bike for proper cleaning correct ?

Im not sure if it actually backfired or not now....it was a loud pop but doesn't sound like a bang like a car backfire.

check around the bike, nothing cracked.

Still cant get the damn bike to start again....what happened ???

Welcome to KZR!

Nice find you've got there.
A C2, the nicest kz650 in my opinion.

Pull the plugs out and let the engine air out.
Give the plugs a cleaning if they look dirty.
A little sooty in your earlier picture.
Put the spark plug wires/caps back on the plugs while they are out, and lay the metal of each plug against the engine. Try starting the bike (turn over the bike), and see if all four plugs are firing.

If not, fix electrical problem.
If OK, re-install plugs.

With a kz that has a Vacuum fuel valve, you will need to set the lever to PRIme to fill the carbs before starting, if she has been sitting a day or more.
Once set to prime, check if each carb is getting fuel by opening the drain screw on each bowl one at a time.
If a carb or more show no signs of fuel, fix, if all four have fuel, make sure all drains are closed.

Try starting her again.
Fuel valve/petcock to prime, choke lever up, no throttle, key and kill switch ON.
Clutch pulled in, in Neutral, and hit the starter button.
If she wont start after a few tries with the choke On/lever up, try with out choke/lever down.

A strong battery helps.

Mine started today after 5 months of Winter hibernation.
Also a C2, with 108,000 kms, 90,000 by me.