'79 KZ650 Kickstart issue

I am new to bikes, and took on a fairly interesting first project. My main concern right now is the kickstart. For some odd reason, it wont turn over the engine if the transmissions is in neutral, but once you put it in gear, the kickstart will turn the bike, and it rolls with each kick. If someone could please explain this to me, or give me ideas on how to fix it if something is wrong, i would really appreciate it.

You're not pulling in the clutch lever by any chance are you? Ed

Ignition on. Kill switch on run. Fuel on. Choke to desired start position.
Bike in nuetral. DONT pull clutch lever. DONT touch throttle.
Kickstart fast right to bottom, then allow kicker to return immediately.

If after a few kicks it doesnt start, adjust the choke position and try again.
Ultimately if it still wont start, expierement with a little throttle.

Good luck.

I'm not pulling on the clutch lever. And Tek9iNe, the kickstart wont turn over the engine, so the throttle, choke, ignition and all that wont make a difference. I was told by the person who i'm helping work on it that when he pulled off the cover on the opposite side of the kickstart, that it would turn over the engine. hopefully this may help even more.

On the opposite side there's the clutch mechanism behind the Sprocket Cover that pushes on the clutch push rod.
If the clutch mechanism is adjusted wrong, too far in, it will engage the clutch and may make the kickstarter useless.

Remove the two bolts that hold the small outside cover in the center of the Sprocket Cover.
Loosen the lock nut (A) that holds the center adjusting screw (, and turn in the screw until some resistance is felt. (figure 36 below)
I'm guessing it's already turned in, maybe too far.
In this case, back out the adjusting screw counter clockwise, then turn it back in clockwise until you feel resistance, then back out the screw to what a manual states, I think it's 1/2 turn, but will need to confirm this.
Then hold the adjusting screw in place while you tighten the lock nut.

Make sure all 4 mounting bolts of the Sprocket Cover get installed if you've had the Sproket Cover off, and that the clutch cable is seated properly in the Sprocket Cover. (figure 38 below)
Then adjust the clutch cable so that there's 3 mm of free play at the clutch lever. (fig 37)

Here's a '77 manual download:

forums.kz650.info/index.php?topic=6361.0

Thank you rstnick for all that information. I'll get to that tomorrow, but a problem i noticed today is that my clutch cable is not very useful right now, its either stuck open or stuck closed. The lever is not doing anything. Could this contribute to my problem? If not could this make is so that the adjustment would do absolutely nothing? In other words, should i buy a new clutch cable before i do anything else?

Adjust the clutch using the procedure in the manual. There's more to it than just the cable. Ed


www.scribd.com/doc/48655900/Kawasaki-KZ-...B1-77-Service-Manual

Today i took off the cover with two screws, backed out the adjuster screw, and got the engine to turn over every time. Now my next step is the carb. Thank you for all the help on this, it was greatly appreciated.