Trouble starting my new (to me) '77 KZ650

I would go get some NGK B7ES or B8ES not sure which one is right for the bike but it will be one of them. On mine when I would use the starter button it would "fart" when it did this I would switch to the kicker and 9 out of 10 times it would fire. Of course this does not get to the root of the problem but it can get it going. Like I said earlier I would sometimes spray ether or even carb cleaner on the pods to get it going quicker but this is by no means the prefered method and can even cause damage if done to much. Another thing with these old bikes is the kill button is made from plastic and gets brittle with time. Once you know you have fire to the plugs quit using the kill switch and start using the key. Mine broke in the off position and was a bitch to figure out, I have not used the kill switch in years but use it for emergency's only. Don't get discouraged Also try not to give a flick of the gas when starting, or maybe a little bit of throttle, you could be flooding from the get go. Most of this advise is to try to get her going when she is being a little bitch and by no means the gospel. You will figure out what she likes the more you play around.

So I got her running tonight and it took some starting fluid in a couple of the carbs. I only had the choke half way up, turned it over a couple times, it fired up and revved a little bit. But - it wouldn't stay running. I'd give it a little gas, and it back fired a couple times then sputtered out. It started back up, but same thing... as soon as I gave it some gas it back fired and sputtered out.

Check your timing. Also could be a fuel/carb problem

Sounds like the bike has a shot battery.

Personally I do not trust bike shops unless I know the guys. Do you know why? Money - they like to make money.

Get a trickle charger and change the plugs to B7ES. Charge the battery overnight and test the voltage in the morning. Install the new plugs and try to fire her up if the battery reads ok. 12V. If not get a new battery.

Do not trust the bike shops unless you know the guys. In Calgary there are several bike shops and only 1 good one. A lot of them a scam artists.

Good luck man, I know how you feel 'cause I have been there.

Throw the Champions in the trash and delete their website from your "favorites" list. KZ650's do not use resistor plugs. Get a set of NGK B7ES or ND W22ES-U (my preference), gap to .7 - .8mm, use a torque wrench set at 18.5 - 20 ft lbs. to install (you really don't want to strip the spark plug hole threads), and you can then troublesoot hard starting problems knowing it is not the spark plugs. Ed

You guys rock! Went and got the NGK plugs and the bike fired right up. Hopefully that was the only problem. Now I just have to wait to see if these get fouled. Thanks for all the help.

BTW, is the occasional tick noise at idle normal on these bikes?

ckotul wrote:

BTW, is the occasional tick noise at idle normal on these bikes?

Yes, that is normal. These bikes have adjustable valves so some ticking will be heard. Also after awhile the primary chain may get a little sloppy which will also make some noise. Let us know how she runs...

if you dont know when the last time a valve adjustment was done, it would be a good time to do that as well, that will make ur bike hard to start when cold as well, also, if you are near the northern indiana, northwest ohio area, i could drag my tools up one day, come to your place, and clean and sync ur carbs for cheap(possibly free depending on how far i gotta travel) i have a lot of experience with inline 4s(yamahas, hondas, and kawis) and can do a valve job and carb clean and resynch in about 8 hours.

Did you go with the NGK B7ES or B8ES?

KR

KOOL RYDER wrote:

Did you go with the NGK B7ES or B8ES?

KR

I went with B7ES. Now I just have to wait and see if these get fouled.

Here is the link to the coil mod. Works wonders and cost less than $20!!
Thanks, Bluemeanie
That's a great link.
I'm cleaning up my 78 kz1000 that has been sitting since 92
and that will be on the list of things to do. JD