Help! coils? plugs? wires?

1980 KZ750E. got it May 6th from original owner.
When first starting the bike, I hear a " tic, tic, tic"
sound. More than 3 times tho. Sounds like a plug firing. It does this in rapid succession like the plugs are firing way more often than they should. This also causes the bike to bog down and sometimes die. It also does this riding off in first gear from a stop. I pulled a plug wire while the bike was running and could feel the spark through the wire and boot!? It was the same with the other 3 wires as well. Are they the wrong wires? Wrong plugs? coils going bad? I have no idea! This is my first bike so I am still learning. Please help. I value everyone's opinion and hope to find a solution soon.
Thanks in advance!

Post edited by: Draco, at: 2006/05/24 18:17

Sounds like a plug wire arcing. Look at it at night or in a dark place and see if you can see the spark jump to engine or frame. Look for wear or burn marks on the wires too. 2 cents spent

I agree.

I've had that happen to me after wet or damp weather. You could take off the gas tank, wipe the coils and plug leads to remove any corrosion and spray everything with WD40 which will repel moisture. Might be worth a try .........and it's cheap.

Good luck

JR wrote:

I've had that happen to me after wet or damp weather. You could take off the gas tank, wipe the coils and plug leads to remove any corrosion and spray everything with WD40 which will repel moisture. Might be worth a try .........and it's cheap.

Good luck

That sounds logical, except that it does it even when it is totally dry.
I guess I will be trying to get some new plug wires from the stealership in the next couple days.
Man, I hope that is all it is!
Thanks for the opinions and advice!

stealership smealership. go to the auto parts store with the old ones in hand and get some cut to length. cheaper.
then get some new plug ends at the cycle shop.

Ok, Got and installed new wires and plug boots.
BUT....I noticed when I had the tank off, that the coil on the left side is cracked completely down the side.
AARRRRGGGGHHHHHHH!!
The bike is rideable, but the #3 cyl. is not firing. I could hold the header bare handed while the bike was running.
I assume because of the cracked coil. Am I correct in assuming that I need a new coil, or is there a way to fix it temporarily?
Does anyone have some laying around?!:blink:
Or know where I could get one CHEAP?
As with a lot of people these days, $$ is tight, and my wallet is empty.
I need to get some seat time!
Thanks guys!

Post edited by: Draco, at: 2006/05/25 14:46

I would say that coil is toast. There are some on ebay right now. Search "kz750 ignition coils".

If your coil is bad, both #2 and #3 will NOT fire. A cracked coil will mostly work when it is dry and short when it is damp. You can test the primary and secondary impedence of this coil and if they test good, it could well be, that the coil is usuable (after you fix the cracks) and your problem is elsewhere. Do you know how to check the primary and secondary windings with a multimeter?

OK, if you don't, just ask. If you do and they have the proper resistance, then use some JB Weld to fix the crack and figure out why #3 isn't firing. It is most likely a bad plug, plug cap or wire or the wire isn't seated. To test, swap the #2 and #3 wires and see if the problem moves to the other cylinder. If it doesn't swap the #2 and #3 plugs.

Ok just an update..
Turns out that BOTH coils were cracked. Figures huh?
Filled in all the coil canyons with some 2-part epoxy.
No more tic tic sound! and she fires right up now.
Now that the coils are fixed and new wires installed,
I guess it's time for me to get the carbs cleaned.
Hopefully that will get #3 going again.
I talked to a very reputable bike mechanic over the weekend. He quoted me a price of $120 to have the carbs tore down, cleaned, and an on-bike sync. Never having had a bike worked on before, is this a decent price?
Thanks for all the input guys!

After fixing the coil the number 3 is still dead? Did you switch the leads and plugs like wiredgeorge suggested? If the switching the leads makes the problem move, you could have corrosion at the wire/plug cap connection. Remove the plug cap and trim a 1/4" off the wire and see if that helps. It worked on my bike. My bike also needed new NGK plugs to get all cylinders to fire.

If money is too tight to buy a coil, don't spend $120 on a carb clean when you can do EXACTLY that with a can of Berrymans, cost about a tenth of $120 at your local auto parts store. You need a can of compressed air too. Search the forums or internet for steps on doing this. Please spend the money on a manual before you do any work on the carbs.

And as far as a carb sync, search our forums and learn how to do this easy procedure and make the CHEAP $1.55 (now $2.98) carb sync tool.

You can be on the road in short order, satisfied with a job well done by yourself.

Good luck and have fun!

Kent

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/05/30 10:54

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/05/30 10:55

Make ABSOLUTELY sure all plug leads are seated properly at both the coil ends and the plug cap ends. If the caps can be screwed off, take them off, trim the wires 1/4" and refit the caps (all as suggested).

Then, treat yourself to a set of NEW plugs, gap correctly and fit.