78 KZ not running HELP

First off i have taking carbs off and cleand. I have put fressh gas and new battery along with all 4 cylinders firing. Used starting fluid and carbs would catch on fire. The bike has been sitting since 2002 and the owner said he put new plugs but neveer ran right. What could be wrong any suggestion would be appreciated thanksk

what kind of bike?

Buy a fire extinguisher! Bwhahaha Sorry...

Bike doesn't start? No idea what type bike or its tune up history. All you mentioned is that you had the carbs off and played with them...

Bike needs three things to start:

1. compression - check compression with throttle open using press in style automotive compression tester. If the compression is down, check cam timing and check/adjust valve clearances
2. spark - remove #4 plug, put electrode about 1/8" from engine case and turn bike over w/starter. Check for spark. Repeat for other cylinders. If you have no spark, post a question in the electrical section for help
3. gas - Not sure if you are getting atomized fuel even though you say you cleaned the carbs. Are the plugs wet (gas on electrodes) when you turn the bike over? Do you have gas in the fuel bowls of each carburetor? You may not have cleaned and rebuilt the carburetors correctly

Other issues?
Choke circuits not picking up gas
Petcock or fuel filter plugged
bad plugs
bad plug caps
bad wires
bad coils
bad points
bad condensors
gummed jets
wrong jets (air/fuel mixture not correct)

Again, too little info on bike and too much guessing on my part. Please take your time and describe bike and its state of tune especially as it relates to the three major points I suggested. Take your time and re-read what you write so it will make the most sense for those reading it. Thanks!

sorry 1978 kz 650, i am getiing spark on all for plugs and number 1 looks a lil week. Dont know what clearencees are susposd to be or how to check cam timing. I cleand carbs and the jets and bowls are clean, pulled the drain pug on #4 carb and gas came out, plugs are not wet. Put 1979 gs 750 pionts on it because other ones were shot. no air fuel mixture screws bench synced carbs. i am about to put some dyna 2.2 ohm coils on just because they are new. also have a new batery on it. sorry for so cluddered thanks

1)is spark timing correct?
2)carbs are supposed to have pilot mixture screws. If they are missing ... see on inlet side left

Are the plugs getting wet? Your carbs should have mixture screws. Maybe the plugs that cover them haven't been removed or they are missing. I would check that first. Are your intake manifolds in good shape.....no cracks or trears and fully seated against the block with a good tight seal? When you cleaned the carbs did you rebuild them, and did you clean all the little ports completely through? I had a similar problem and it was in the carbs.

on my carbs,are the air/mixure screws under neath the poilot jet. Like in the bowl. thanks

with the carbs catching on fire I would wonder about valve adj, something has to be letting the fire out of the hole.
have you checked the compression ?

the wires from the points might be swapped too causing fire on 2-3 when it should be 1-4

Post edited by: btchalice, at: 2006/05/25 08:04

Will stand by my general troubleshooting steps. If they are not performed and in the order suggested, good luck mucking with the carbs. I strongly suggest you buy a Kaw factory shop manual before making further adjustments or riding the bike for fear of damaging you or the bike.

odl666 wrote:

on my carbs,are the air/mixure screws under neath the poilot jet. Like in the bowl. thanks

Poi Lot. Is this where the kalo gets mashed?

sorry for dejavu post but
see on inlet side left

It's shown in manual, it's shown on the parts diagram at buykawasaki.com, it's location is discernable via visual inspection.

If missing you'll need to replace. If not missing, O-ring is likely trashed from cleaning solution.

Mucking with points without a wiring diagram would lead me to second btchalice.

-Duck

odl666 wrote:

cylinders firing. Used starting fluid and carbs would catch on fire.


I would have to second btchalice on the trigger wire from the points going to the wrong coils and firing on the intake stroke instead of the compression