Coming back to motorcycles

My name is Dave and I haven't had a bike for several years. My last bike was a 79 Yamaha XS1100. With kids money got tight and toys had to go. Now that the little ones ain't so little momma and I decided that it was time to enjoy life a little more. I purchased a 82 Kawasaki KZ1000 WITH 23000 miles on it and it needs some work. The bike was running when I bought it but I tore it apart to replace some cosmetic stuff and haven't been able to get it to start since. All I did was take the tank off to paint it and replaced the handle bars with some "superbike bars". I had to replace the mastercylinder with one off of a Honda CBR 600 (a tip I got from reading the forums). I pulled the plugs and know I am getting fuel. When I get it put back together I will get some pics posted cause with the dark silver paint (a color I found on a Nissan 350z), the new bars and the new mirror I think it looks tough.

Welcome Dave, you've come to the right place.

Welcome...

Your the second guy to recently remove the tank for painting, and can't get her to start again -- what ever it is, it's got to be a simple fix! Give us more info on what she's doing (or not doing), and we'll try to give you some ideas.

Tony

Welcome, change your avatar to that shiney KZ! :laugh:

Are you getting spark? Pull plug and connect it to wire, then hold it (with glove on) against the engine (ground). Crank bike and watch for spark.

Battery fully charged to 12.6V after resting for 3+ hours after charging?

You havnt fiddled with the carbs? mixture screws arent screwed down tight by mistake?

Full choke on, using NO THROTTLE input while starting!
Crank the engine for 3-4 actual seconds. Let it try to start, not just blipping the starter for 1 sec.

Make sure the clutch start switch is engaging properly on the handlebars. If the clutch isnt pulled, it wont start.

Does it crank over really fast, like REV>REV>REV>REV! or rev...rev...rev....rev.......rev?

GL!