Hey, New Member - 1981 KZ750e

Hey, I have been reading through the forum for a while now in researching potential bike purchases. Anyway, a few weeks ago a 1981 KZ750e came up at the right price, so that afternoon I returned home with it on the trailer. It hadn't been treated particularly well over the last 12 months. The main purpose of the bike was to get it up and running as a daily rider and after that, I guess we'll see how it goes.

Anyway, I am sure I will start posting tech questions as issues arise over the next few months and I look forward to learning from other members of the forum.

Welcome aboard! Post up some pictures when you can.

Welcome aboard! Here's some info that may help you get started. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/10-new-members/589649-...r-savannah-ga#594587

Hey guys, thanks for the heads up. I have attached some photos of the bike below. As you can see, it looks like she spent some time outside. In saying that, its not like its been sitting in a garden for 2 years either.

First step is to get her started again and this is the part I am having the most trouble with. I have charged up the battery and the starter seems to be working fine. I have checked the float bowls on the carb and they are filling up when the floats move. I have pulled out the spark plugs and checked that they are getting a spark so at this stage it seems that fuel is getting to the carb and spark is getting into the cylinders. Therefore it looks like I have either a compression issue, or the carbs need a solid clean out and rebuild. I'm hoping that its the carbs because this will likely be a lot easier and cheaper in the short term.

Anyway, if my logic flow is incorrect or if there is any advice anyone could provide, I would love to hear it.

Thanks so much for saving that ol' girl! The standard/sport versions are becoming very rare compared to the cruisers like the LTD. Very nice bike! PAUL

When you try to start it remember -

Kill switch in "RUN"
Clutch lever pulled in
Key ON
Petcock ON or if vacuum actuated petcock PRIME
Choke ON
Don't touch the throttle

Ed

Hey Thanks Paul, she does look good and I think with a bit of a clean up she will look even better.

Hey 650ed,

Thanks for the advice. I have gone through that exact procedure enough to have to recharge the battery twice. It just dosn't seem to want to turn over. I even tried putting some starter fluid in each cylinder and I would be rewarded with a little bit of a rumble but not much else for my efforts. Hopefully a carb rebuild will do the trick as it seems that the fuel to cylinder flow is where it is not quite working.

cheers