Starting but not idling

Hello all, I need some help and input here. I've got a 78 650B2A and just put the carbs back on them a few days ago. I got the bike to start and run for about 3 seconds and have yet to get it idling. In those several times I was able to get it started it was enough to warm the pipes up. 2&3 were warm while 1&4 were cold. The bike has been sitting for two years and was started maybe 1 year ago. I tore the carbs completely down and have yet to take a manometer to them. I got it started using the kick and electric start. Now when I try to use the electric start there is a "buzzt" sound at the positive battery terminal and the bike shorts out. Between yesterday and today the headlight stopped working, not sure if I crossed something or kicked something loose too. The battery is basically dead and I keep it on the charger over night and in between tinkering. The times I've had it started was using starter fluid and choke.

-bike will start but won't idle
-weak battery
-2&3 exhaust pipes were warm but not 1&4, after starting
-battery shorts out now when using electric start
-headlight no longer on

One set of points and their respective coil fires cylinders 2 & 3. The other set of points and coil fires cylinders 1 & 4. So it sounds like you may have an ignition problem. You can swap coils and see if the problem moves from 2&3 to 1&4. If it does you have a bad coil. If not, you should check the ignition points and wiring from the points to the coil very carefully to see if anything is amiss. Ed

Your carbs are probably dirty and clogged up. Does it only run on full choke? If they have been sitting for 2 years with gas in them then they are very clogged.

Fresh spark plugs of the prescribed variety too;)

It sounds like you are either grounding out somewhere, or you don't have a good ground connection. I'd check out where the ground terminates on the frame, and I'd make sure you don't have any bare wires.
As for the starting, I agree with baldy, it sounds like they are clogged. You said you put them back on a couple of days ago... Does that mean that you rebuilt them? If not, I'd take them off and let them soak in some pine-sol for a few days. Then clean them out real good and give it another go.

Your gonna have to start with a fresh battery, and probably clean the carbs...again. I know you don't want to hear that but I've seen it a million times where someone has just cleaned the carbs, but I've had to go back and do it again, properly.

Waiting till tomorrow so I can get a new battery. The carbs were torn down and cleaned and soaked and boiled, so I doubt they are the culprit. I am sort of hoping they are the problem so I don't have to replace the coils. If all else fails I think I may have to take a lot of beer to a shop and trade some work.

Got a new battery but still the same problem. I looked at the coils and was going to swap 1&4 cables on to 2&3's coil but this is the second time I've ever look at coils. My other bike you thread the spark plug cable on and the oem kz's are not like that.

How do you suggest swapping coils? Can I just put the spark plug cables from 2&3 on to 1&4?

candyskateboards wrote: Got a new battery but still the same problem. I looked at the coils and was going to swap 1&4 cables on to 2&3's coil but this is the second time I've ever look at coils. My other bike you thread the spark plug cable on and the oem kz's are not like that.

How do you suggest swapping coils? Can I just put the spark plug cables from 2&3 on to 1&4?

To swap coils you need to move the spark plug cables from 2&3 on to 1&4 and vice-versa, AND you need to swap the wires that connect the coils to the points. You do this at the coils. When your finished, the coil that was originally connected to points pair 1&4 is now connected to 2&3 and vise-versa. Ed

plugs, new battery and she's firing in all four now! still starting but revving to about 8000 rpm then dying (this is with starting fluid). may take another look at the carbs. glad it wasnt the coils!

edit:spark on 4 is weak and purple and 1 is a strong and white.