1977 kz650 wont start

Ok, so after i fixed my stripped spark plug hole in my #3 cylinder, i had to work the rest of the week, so i havent had time to start it or ride it. The bike is over at my friends house, he called and told me he adjusted the timiming. I went over there today and couldnt get it to start. It makes a popping sound out of the carburators very loudly. I think he screwed the timing up in it really bad, because he told me he moved the timing plate and he moved the points but he dosent remember how much. Can anybody give me a suggestion on how to get it back on the road? Thank's, jim.

get a test light and ground it, turn the key on, rotate the engine with the big nut until the #1-4 points open on the "F" mark, the light will light as soon as the points open. It should light on the "F" mark, do the same thing for the 2-3 set of points. That will get you up and running. Make sure you set the gap before you use the test light.

Thanks kawickrice, i will do just that when i get back over there on thursday. He mentioned to me about he did all the adjustments off the "T" marks i think that is were my problem is.

Got it to fire over today after i re-adjusted the timing. Now a new problem is happening. It breaks up at high rpm's when im in neutral, and when i go to put it in 1st and let out the clutch it dies.......any ideas? Thanks

How old are the points? You could be floating the points at high RPMs. As for stalling when you let the clutch out who knows. When is the last time the carbs were serviced? Do you have a clutch saftey switch?

Not sure how old the points are, they were in it when i bought it 3 or so years ago. I just cleaned the carbs and synked them today. No i dont have a clutch saftey switch.....atleast i dont think i do. What is it and were is it?

The points are probably shot or at least the spring is shot which makes them not close at high RPMs (point float) The 650 should have a neutral safety switch so it will not start in gear if I remember right. I could be wrong because it has been a while since I have messed with my 650.

Can i use the points from my z1? I have a brand new set from sudoku that i never instaled in the 900, and have no need for them since i upgrated to the dyna -s in the z1 this winter.

what did you set your point gap a good starting point is about .014" also if you have a dwell meter set the plate to around 45 degrees. that seems to work best on these old girls.the recheck and adjust your ignition timing with a timing light. also when your setting the points make sure to get them super clean on the contact surfaces use contact cleaner it won't leave any residue if there is much pitting then replace your condenser's as well.

Yup i set the point gap to .014". I wonder if i have an air leak at the head? I put on new carb boot's so it would be eisier to mount the 26mm kz 1000 carbs on it. I didnt use and sealer at all, i wonder if that is my problem. Im going to clean the points with contact cleaner and going to get them super clean.

Wow where to start. I havent worked on the bike in 3 days. I went out to my garage today, to find the door broken open and the carbs off the bike gone. I called the police and made out a report but havent heard anything back yet. I have another set of kz 1000 26mm carbs that im currently running on my z1 900. I pulled them off and cleaned out the stock 28mm z1 carbs....so the z1 runs great. I put the 16mm carbs onto the 650 and here is where i am. It starts easly with starting fluid, but whenever i roll the throttle it bogs down and dies out. I know this set has larger jets but cant remember the size to save myself. My neighbor who is an ex kawi mechanic told me it sounded like it was running really rich and i need to lean it out. Im thinking of putting in 17.5 pilots, 117.5 mains, and the needles clipped in the 4th posistion.

bump.