Starting problem!!!!

Hey guys,

I recently replaced the petcock, points (properly gapped), and spark plug on my 1980 kz 250. Now when I try to start the bike, t will sound like it is going to turn over and then makes a loud clank, which is the cam shaft now going in the opposite direction it should be! I'm guessing this is probably either a starter clutch issue, or a cam chain issue, but will wait to hear what you guys tell me to check before doing anything else. the bike is getting spark, and has plenty of fuel in the carb too, so go from there for me.

Thanks,

Clutch

Forgot to mention that when the loud noise happens, bike is backfiring through the carb as well. Just noticed the cam rotation because I have the points cover off still...

I'd say you either got the plug wires mixed up or a plug wire is arcing to the engine. Or maybe while you had the tank off a connection got lose on ya. Was it running before you did this work? GLuck

Yes, it was running prior to the new parts. Their is only one plug wire, so no mixup there. Not sure what kind of connection may have gotten loose with the tank off, but I just push started it, and though cold, it did run but I didn't have time to let it warm up for a test drive in the neighborhood. I have to run out to work, so I will be checking back in tonight.

Thanks

check the timing again, sounds like it's firing to soon, btdc.

It's not a matter of point gap, it's a matter of the coil firing when the motor comes up to the timing mark. Try static timing it first. With the motor "off" and the key "on" put a test light on the point wire. Rotate the motor with a wrench until the timing marks aline with each other. If the test light comes on before or after the timing marks are alined, readjust the points. Set the motor on the timing mark. Adjust the points until the light comes on (or goes off) This will set the timing good enough to start it, so you can use a timing light on it.....good luck!

Can it be any kind of light (12v), or does it need to be a "timing light"? Also, just as an update, push started it when I got home, let it warm up a bit. I drove around the neighborhood a little bit and it's real sluggish. When I came back home, I turned it off and started it with the electric start a few times. Got that loud clank once or twice, but it started with the magic button (LOL)!

Oh yeah. I've read a few posts about the timing marks, but now I can't find the posts. Any info on lining them up, as well as where they are would be appreciated. My service manual is not as good as I would have hoped!

Scratch my last post guys, just found the timing section in the manual!

clutch wrote:

Scratch my last post guys, just found the timing section in the manual!

Take your time and stay after it. You will get it strightened out. Once you get it finished, you will be on your way as a tuner...........Good luck!

kzz1p wrote:

clutch wrote:

Scratch my last post guys, just found the timing section in the manual!

Take your time and stay after it. You will get it strightened out. Once you get it finished, you will be on your way as a tuner...........Good luck!

I don't know about being a tuner, but I would definitely like to get to the point where I can fix anything on the bike on my own. So far since I bought it last summer, I am the only one who has done any work on it at all. I would like to be able to say the same thing years from now. I am super glad though, that it is sounding more and more like I won't have to buy any new parts to get it running though. I will work on the timing tomorrow and let everyone know how that goes.

Thanks so much for all the advice.

~Clutch

clutch wrote:

Hey guys,

Now when I try to start the bike, t will sound like it is going to turn over and then makes a loud clank, which is the cam shaft now going in the opposite direction it should be!

The clank is what you hear when the engine fires and "kicks back" (as you noticed) the wrong way. Heard it many times. It is probably a timing problem.