Trouble starting my new (to me) '77 KZ650

I just bought a 1977 KZ650C1. I've had it started a couple times, but it's always a chore... so I'm wondering if I'm doing something wrong. Here's what happens:

I put the choke all the way ON (up position), make sure the fuel is on, hold the clutch, push the button. It turns over, but doesn't start. Wait a few seconds, try again with the choke in the same position (all the way up). Same thing, except this time I hear the engine trying to start, but still won't fire up. Wait a few seconds, adjust put the choke in (down) a little, try again, same thing.

Am I doing something wrong here? This is my first bike, so forgive me if I'm making a newbie mistake.

Here she is:

have you tried starting the bike without the choke also how well does it start using the kicker.

Without the choke it sounds like it wants to start but doesn't. I've tried the kicker, but have never got it to start that way.

My 77 650B1 did the same exact thing. If I turned the headlight out it would usually start with the button. I had better luck kicking her over. I determined that I needed better power to the ignition so I installed an electronic ignition and coils which fixed the problem.

I see 4-1 pipe and think I see pods? Your bike has been modified so you may need to have some tuning done before you get it running right. On a STOCK '77 KZ650C1 you do the following:

Petcock on
Choke up
do NOT touch throttle
Ignition on
A couple swift kicks on the kickstarted and it fires right up
OR instead of kicking, pull in clutch and hit starter button.

You may want to contact the previous owner and ask if he had some secret formula for starting the bike.

Ed

It's funny you mention that. I put the jumper cables on it because the battery started to get weak. When I did the bike started up. I still think I may be doing something wrong with the choke though. What's the best procedure in using the choke?

Have you tried starting it with the headlight in the off position? Let me guess when warm it starts right up. I would also use starting fluid on cold starts but that might not be best for your motor.

Kawickrice wrote:

Have you tried starting it with the headlight in the off position?

Not yet, I'll have to try that when I get home.

on my 78 i put the choke on full. usualy it starts right up and rpms rocket up so then i put choke to about halfway. i think you need to check the voltage at your coils with the key on. sounds like a coil mod candidate

fixer5000 wrote:

on my 78 i put the choke on full. usualy it starts right up and rpms rocket up so then i put choke to about halfway. i think you need to check the voltage at your coils with the key on. sounds like a coil mod candidate

I had the bike running last night (after I jump started it) and it revved up to 5k rpm. That's the only time it's done that since I owned it, which is 3 days.

I tried searched for "coil mod" but can't seem to find anything. Do you have a link so I can read up on it?

Kawickrice wrote:

Have you tried starting it with the headlight in the off position? Let me guess when warm it starts right up. I would also use starting fluid on cold starts but that might not be best for your motor.

Stupid question... but I'm going to ask it anyways because I don't know. Where would I spray the starting fluid when using it to start the bike? Directly on the air filter pods?

This is my opinion but don't use starting fluid! Just pull one spark plug out and ground it securely to the engine and hit the start button with the ignition key on and in neutral. Make sure you are in a dark location and not outside in the sun. If it has a decent blue spark then the ignition is fine! The timing could be off if someones been messing with the points. Find out from the previous owner when and if the carbs have been cleaned and synced. Just my two cents worth. My e-mail is burkes3gz@zoomtown.com I will help you figure it out.