KZ650 Performance Question - Where's my power?

like i said before that stock redline is just a suggestion, i when i first started racing i went out and bought this fancy autometer 5inch motorcycle tac i found my self not being able to pay attention to it as i was going down track i then started shifting by ear i did that until i bought a shift light 6years ago. never had a problem. on my street motor i regularly shift at 10,000 or more just depends who i'm rideing with at the time or what i'm doing.

Thanks hugo for the explanation. I just have to retrain my brain to stop worrying when it hears the high rpm's .

Thanks timebomb, just wanted to make sure. I guess I know where your line in your signature comes from now

HerrDeacon wrote:

... have all the maintenace type things taken care of (i.e. carbs sync'd, coil mod, timing, etc)....

If not already done, would use strobe type timing light to verify operation of the automatic timing advancer unit by watching it move back and forth as the rpm are varied.

Would also spray water mist on header pipes while engine is running to assure combustion in all four cylinders. Spray should sizzle and immediately vaporize. It is surprising how well these bikes can run on just three cylinders. :laugh:

Good Luck!

Thanks Patton. I used a timing light to set the timing and verified the advancer was working as it should.

I also, checked the pipes and all four appear to be running. I do however have an issue with one cylinder not running when cold starting on the choke (I have another thread on that issue), but all four are working fine off the choke.

9000 rpm is the redline on my 78. The power starts to come on around 4500 and if you shift between 6-8000 you will jump way ahead of normal traffic. Just twist it and have fun.

deacon with a bike that looks as hot-rod as yours i figured you would have to be one of the last one's we would have to talk into twisting the throttle hard. twist it and hang-on. have fun with that little hot-rod. watch the gravel in the corners in the spring. but when you get on a straight away let rip. enjoy it it looks awesome makes me jealous.

timebomb33 wrote:

deacon with a bike that looks as hot-rod as yours i figured you would have to be one of the last one's we would have to talk into twisting the throttle hard.

LOL, I know I find it weird too. I don't have an issue in the car. I just hope I can get out on it before I put it away for winter.

Thanks again guys for enlightening me.

I found that switching to an electronic ignition off a late model 650 helped give my bike more power.
I attribute it to not cleaning the points in the two years before. I didn't even adjust them as my bike seemed to run fine, until I rode another kz650 and felt a difference.

As suggested, switch gears at a higher RPM. When riding at a spiritted pace, I shift anywhere from 7000~8500.

I also find when I wear ear plugs my bike goes faster!

Too bad I put the bike away for the winter deacon. I just put her in yesterday. We wont be getting out for that ride this year after all. Took me this long to see the Newfoundland in your sig haha. And next year she's gonna be 810cc, so comparos will be out.

I agree with the guys, get a Dyna-S and do the coil mod. Bike fires so effectively after that, you'll be amazed.

LOL, I didn't realize that was you either. Looks like you'll be busy, should be cool.

I'll be putting mine away very soon too. I've heard great things about Dyna and will getting one this winter.

Same here.......

Wind it till it screams, and then give it a little more.

The pick - up is a riot. When I first tried to wind it out I was amazed how the power curve increases after 5500 RPM.

Make sure you have a nice firm grip when you do.....

That CB wont know what flew by down home on the ROCK.

K-ZEDS rocking the rock.

Give us an update after you wind her to the max.


KRB)

Unfortunately I don't think I'll get a chance to try it this year. I checked the points gap last night, and now the 2-3 plugs are not getting any electricity. Not sure what I did!!!

I'll be picking up a Dyna this winter. So, unless I can figure out what I did, I'll have to wait until spring to wind it out