KZ750 1976 - Start up Issues

Good Day,

I am orginal owner of '76 KZ750 and am new to the world of forums.

Took my bike apart over the holidays to track down an electrical issue, including removal of my carbs.

Electrical issue was located & fixed. After re-assembly, I found I could literally stand on the kick start.

I removed the plugs and was able to move the kick start down by hand. Too much compression??

Could this be the result of butterfly values not being partially open or would it be seized exhaust ports [hope not].

Bike has not been started for 1 year and was stored in my garage [50 degrees] under a cover.

Rodman2

Any Chance you were experiencing a hydraulic lock? Could there have been fuel in a cylinder?

Now that you've removed the plugs have you reinstalled them and tried again?

"Could this be the result of butterfly values not being partially open or would it be seized exhaust ports"
Both alternatives above are not likely considering that you've rotated the engine already by hand.

I've seen kick starters with worn shafts and/or bearings lock tooth on tooth before but not on Kaws.

kzcsi

Post edited by: KZCSI, at: 2008/01/08 13:11

Not sure what a hydraulic lock is. I did remove and reinstall the plugs twice with the same result.
- Plugs out results in easy [by hand] reaction
- Plugs in results in standing on the kick stand

The only engine parts that I removed during my electrical failure investigation were the Carb's.

I disassembled the Carb's [removed float bowls, top coversand carb-piston [only] to check for gas gumming - all was ok].

The carb-pistons have a chamfer [I'm guessing to react to the air flow] and I was wondering if this condition could be the result of me putting the piston in backward [meaing piston chamfer facing the opposite way]?

Rodman2

is it possible that you have the wrong plugs in it, ie, the reach is too long

Thanks but no.

The bike was working fine until I had the electrical failure [loose connector under the gas tank].

I took the plugs out, cleaned them and rechecked the gap and put the same ones back in.

Rodman2

Try this - pull all but 1 plug, see if the kick start will rotate. Try this with each plug to see if a single cylinder is causing the problem. This might help you pinpoint the problem. Ed

You mentioned Hydraulic lock?

After thinking more about the problem I remembered dropping some oil down the piston head through the sparker plug hole.

Could this result in a the hydraulic lock that you referenced?

Rodman2

Have you tried the kick start while the plugs were out?

Never mind you already answered that.

Can't be a hydraulic lock if it's happening as you say.

kzcsi

Post edited by: KZCSI, at: 2008/01/08 22:12

Ok, ok,

I'm a happy camper. The bike is running like new.

When I got home from work I re-tried the kick start and it's movement had returned to normal.

I can only conclude that, as suggested by KZCSI that I had created a hydraulic lock by dropping oil down the cylinder and it took some time for the oil to drip past the piston rings.

Whew, bike sounds great.

Thanks for all your suggestions - great forum I'm gald that I joined your group.

Rodman2 - Over and out

Rodman2 wrote:

...I can only conclude that, as suggested by KZCSI that I had created a hydraulic lock by dropping oil down the cylinder and it took some time for the oil to drip past the piston rings....

Sorry I'm late to the thread, but yeah, that was definately it.
I know because I did it. I added oul to the cyl as part of my winterizing a couple years ago, and then a nice stretch of weather came and I un-winterized it. I had barely but a couple tablespoons of oil in there, but it would not let the motor turn. Certainly, in hindsight, it makes perfect sense....