engine problem?

Hey everyone this is my first post i've browsed the forums for awhile though.
I ride a 1980 kz650 i recently bought, its my first bike and ive had a problem. when i ride the bike its been cutting off sometimes itll run good but if i give it gas too quickly itll just cut off and as of tonight when i ride itll randomly wine down and just kind of sputter till it cuts off even if i have the choke on. it seems to be getting worse to i had the bike cut off on me 4 times on my way home in my neighborhood. what could the problem be?:S

Several things to check:

1.Fully charged battery.

2.All related battery connections must be clean and tight,especially the Black, Negative(-) terminal to the engine as this is the ground connection

3.Properly gapped and corect heat range sparkplugs(most bikes Kawasaki made in this time period used NGK B8ES sparkplugs gapped between 0.028" to 0.032")

4.Drop the carb float bowls and check for sediment/crud/water in the gas.

5.Check the valve clearances as on this type of engine as the valves wear,they make the engine less and less noisey, In other words, a little valve clatter is good, when it stops, burning valves may result.

6.Clean/replace the airfiters.

7.Do a compression check, as I think 125 PSI is what you need,any lower than that and the engine may not run good.

8.If possible replace the sparkplug wires from the ignition coils to the sparkplugs and the sparkplug caps as both age and can fail/become intermittent.

Just some ideas.....................

getting gas?

Was thinking the same here...

Gas/clogged fuel filter/Carbs or Ignition electrical issues such as coils/coil voltage/points/condenser/EI etc...

sounds like there may be water in the fuel. I had a similar prob with a CB750.... drove me nuts till i drained the tank and seafoamed it.

but... ask 1000 Bikers the same question and you will get a whole bunch of different answers! Intermittent problems are a PITA~

Have you checked the vent hole in the tank to see if it's blocked?