77 KZ650 Low Oil Pressure?

Hey,

I have a 1977 KZ650B1

Recently I rebuilt my carbs, changed the coils, replaced the regulator rectifier, and converted to electronic ignition. In doing this, I had also replaced the oil filter and done an oil change.

My oil indicator light comes on now indicating that I have low oil pressure. I am using the same type of oil that I used all last year and I had no problems with this last year (I used synthetic 0-40 oil)

Could I have done something wrong putting in the filter or changing the oil? I had done this before with no problem.

I was giving the bike shit today, revving pretty high and it seemed pretty up to the challenge.

Could I have wired something together wrong? Do these sending units every become faulty? What signs should I be looking for to indicate low oil pressure? Would changing the oil filter affect the pickup somehow?

Did you forget to tighten down the oil pressure sensor lead when you did your electronic ignition?

Yeah I'd be checking the blue/red wire that goes to the oil pressure switch behind the points/pick up plate.
Make sure the screw is tight and that no part of the Y connector on the end of the wire is touching the engine or the pick up plate.
Sometimes (this has happened to me twice) the blue/red wire will be tight against the pick up plate's edge and the insulation will wear away, grounding the wire and making the light come on.
A bit of electrical tape around the wire, and making sure the wire is not tight up against the plate should help.

Also make sure you installed the oil filter properly.
Check the diagram below;
The spring then washer goes below the filter.

paulstanely45 wrote:

Hey,

I have a 1977 KZ650B1

Recently I rebuilt my carbs, changed the coils, replaced the regulator rectifier, and converted to electronic ignition. In doing this, I had also replaced the oil filter and done an oil change.

My oil indicator light comes on now indicating that I have low oil pressure. I am using the same type of oil that I used all last year and I had no problems with this last year (I used synthetic 0-40 oil)

Your engine was designed for 10-40 or 20-50.

Great ideas! Ill will check both of those tomorrow morning!

Would the oil pressure indicator light coming on when the engine is off but the ignition on indicate a ground short?

no it's going to come on with the key on but engine off.

The oil light comes on when you turn the key on.
Once you start the engine, or kick it over a few times, the light will go out once enough pressure is built up.
With the engine running the light should stay off.
While kicking her over, or using the electric starter, the light will go off, but come back on if you don't get her started or if there's an oil issue.

Hmm, well the light isn't coming on at all now. I took off the points cover and jiggled it a bit. I think maybe is an electrical issue?

I grounded the lead and the light still comes on, so its not the bulb. I suppose Ill remove my points plate and make sure everything is alright.

Ill keep you guys posted.

The "Suitcase" style of electrical connector that splices two or more wire together is a real pain after a while.

Moisture gets into it and suddenly you have an intermittent connection. Many a person has used this conector on doing trailer hook ups. There's nothing like being under a trailer when it's raining trying to get the stop lights/turn signals to work!

I suggest soldering the connection if possible then cover it with some heatshrink tubing.

Maybe I missed in in reviewing the postings but I don;t see any mention of your oil pressure itself... Meaning is your oil pressure to spec?

If not, your sensor would be working as designed informing you somethings wrong...

Just a thought....

OMR

I don't have the tool to test the oil pressure actually, this would be a preferable situation so Id know for sure.