Hard to start

Always when firing up my Z1000A2 ´78
from sitting for some time (1-2 weeks)
she is hard to start. Stumbling on
two cylinders for some time and
after that the others cylinders
comes inn. Carbs are new cleaned
and new pilots, mains.
The float high is as low as possible.
But the Z1000A2 are in very good
condition, like new..

Hawk1

Nice bike , I have a 78kz1000 a2 also, black and gold. Check your plugs, if your using stock coils and wires check them for cracks. Check fuel filter inside fuel valve. If using stock wire caps its possible they have built up resistance over the years, might look into new plug caps.

Nick

Thanks Nick. Coils and wires. Just what I was thinking of
The coils are at least old so maybe I should take a look
And replace them with Accels witch I have laying around?

Spark plugs are new and are looking good.
Good spark on the plugs.

If not already doing, might try this technique --

Allow petcock to remain in on position for a few moments
which should assure float bowls being filled.

Lift choke lever full on.

Don't touch throttle at all -- and leave it completely
closed throughout cranking procedure.

Run switch ON -- Ignition switch ON.

If any doubt about battery being fully charged,
use kick start. Should crank up after only a few kicks.

If sure battery is okay, spin it over with
starter motor and should crank.

Is compression okay? Are valve clearances okay?

Good Luck with this beautiful bike!

Thanks Patton. Carbs are clean. New battery. Valves and other
things are in good condition.
Winter storage and sitting for awhile is not good for her.

Yes I’m family with that touching the throttle at startup is not
good. Compression is okay and the valve clearances.

She is totally stock. Stock paint and seat cover is stock.
Only thing that’s troubles me is the hard starting after
sitting for some time. I think I have to take a look at
the coils. I took her for spin today and she is fouling the
plug on no: four.

Other than that I love her…



Here is one photo taking few days ago down town Reykjavik. Now
with stock front fender..

It might also be a timing issue have you checked your points? are dirty, out of timing? I had something similar happen to mine.

Whether sitting overnight or for two weeks
should make no difference in crank-up performance.
Everything stays the same, except for possibly
the fuel level inside the floatbowls.

With floatbowl fuel level being already
on the low side, am thinking perhaps some
of the fuel inside the bowls is evaporating
during the extended period of sitting so as
to be inadequate for cranking, until allowed
to re-fill by leaving the petcock turned on
for a few moments before attempting to crank.

The bike's obviously not being left outside
in the rain for extended periods.
But is it being parked in a damp garage or
in an environment of relatively high humidity?
This could cause hard cranking due to plug wire
leakage, among other things.

Nothing yet has been mentioned about the points
style ignition. Would first clean and gap both
sets of points, then assure correct timing
using a strobe-type timing light on both sets of points.
Be sure there's no dampness in there,
and that the gasket is good.

Aware of reportedly good spark, but thinking
maybe not quite so good after sitting two weeks,
and wondering why not. Battery would not decline
very much in two weeks.
So maybe moisture in the wiring?

Good Luck!

Addendum -- seeing where monsterman beat me
to the punch about the points situation. :lol:

Thanks for your tips. I am starting working on the Z.
I will let you know what will come out of this when
I have cured the problem. Maybe helping others
who has the same problem to solve.
I will also take a look at the points.
I remember once on my Z650 has similar
problem, but I can not remember what was
the cause then. Many years since.

Any follow up on this?