New KZ Twin Owner looking for help with no start condition

Are there two coils on a twin?

Would it have been impossible to have switched the coil wires up?

Qdude,
There is only one coil and yes, I forgot which wire went where. I tried both configurations and got the same result, BANG out the carbs. I checked the online manual and will correct that.

About the valve timing, you think 180 degrees off? I positioned everything according to the manual: I lined up the "T" on the spark advance and lined up the marks on the cam sprocket to be horizontal with the gasket surface, with the arrow pointing forward and the marks on the right side. Also made sure the notch on the camshaft was pointed to the rear per the manual.

Ima double check the manual but I'm pretty sure I got it right.

Qdude wrote:

Are there two coils on a twin?

Would it have been impossible to have switched the coil wires up?

No, only one coil.... but it is possible to get the spark timing 180 out if you removed the "cam" body that drives the points from the shaft and put it back on the wrong way.

Ask me how I know that....:laugh:

votumamor@gmail.com wrote:

Qdude,
There is only one coil and yes, I forgot which wire went where. I tried both configurations and got the same result, BANG out the carbs.

Wires are reversible, they both spark on every upstroke.

votumamor@gmail.com wrote:

About the valve timing, you think 180 degrees off?

Impossible to set the valves 180 off on a twin as long as you set the valves on TDC. You can set the cams to either TDC on the four stroke cycle because both pistons go up and down together.

votumamor@gmail.com wrote:

Qdude,
I positioned everything according to the manual: I lined up the "T" on the spark advance and lined up the marks on the cam sprocket to be horizontal with the gasket surface, with the arrow pointing forward and the marks on the right side. Also made sure the notch on the camshaft was pointed to the rear per the manual.

Ima double check the manual but I'm pretty sure I got it right.

You did.

Had a similar problem getting my bike started 1st time, after rebuild. I put the timing advancer in 180*. After pulling it out and rotating it, she fired up.

ronjones wrote:

Had a similar problem getting my bike started 1st time, after rebuild. I put the timing advancer in 180*. After pulling it out and rotating it, she fired up.

Been there, done that.....:laugh:

Ok here's what I found. The compression was very low due to damaged rings. They seemed to fit very tightly into the groove around the piston head. It didn't help when the cylinder head dropped on them upon re-install.

I've got many other projects to tend to, SO Ima let this one go. Its on Ebay now, search "81 Kawasaki KZ440 LTD" or "votumamor3" user name.

Electronic ignition for sale, nice seat, all the electricals are confirmed working, good cyl head, good tank and matching side covers, new brake master cylinder..... See pictures and descriptions on Ebay.

bountyhunter wrote:

ronjones wrote:

Had a similar problem getting my bike started 1st time, after rebuild. I put the timing advancer in 180*. After pulling it out and rotating it, she fired up.

Been there, done that.....:laugh:

Add me to the list:blush:

hmmm fresh parts....