Won't Fire

77' KZ 650C .So, I recently pulled my carbs cleaned them and reinstalled them with new airbox ducts. It has not ran in a while. I thought it would fire up after tis work but no dice. I checked all plugs and wires. They are sparking. What is my next step here??

You should check your fuel level in the carbs to make sure you have everything set correctly to ensure you're getting fuel. If you're getting fuel and spark and it's still not working, it's either an air or compression problem.

Please describe your procedure for trying to start the engine. Ed

Well right now there is no battery so I am jumping it from my car. I choke it pull the clutch and hit the start button. It turns and wants to but won't.

A 1977 KZ650 simply will not run without a battery. So IF you were able to start it it would stop running when you unhooked the battery cables. Also, if you are trying to jump start it from a vehicle that has the engine running, you may have blown out the bike's electrical system. NEVER try to jump start a KZ from a running vehicle.

Suggestion - first buy a battery for the bike. Be sure to read the charging instructions on the battery. Do NOT charge the battery with a charger that's putting out more than 2 amps.

After you have a fully charged motorcycle battery in the bike do this -
Install fresh spark plugs
If the gasoline is more than a few months old, replace it
Turn the petcock to "ON"
Make sure the kill switch is in "RUN"
Turn the headlight switch to OFF
Turn the ignition key ON
Do not pull in the clutch lever
Use the kickstarter - briskly kick start the bike several times and it should start
If it doesn't start, try bump starting it (push start the bike)
If it still doesn't start you should do a full tune up starting by replacing points & condensers and properly adjusting the ignition points.

Ed

ok. good advice! Now what size battery? I talked to my local auto parts store and they asked many questions I did not have answers for. Also, how would I know about a fried electrical system? If I have not hurt anything would I still be getting sparks from my plugs? When all is said and done I feel I will have one heck of an understanding about the ins and outs of my bike. Great forum.

Your bike takes a Yuasa YB10L-A2 battery or its equivalent. There are plenty of places that sell them - do a Google search for "Yuasa YB10L-A2". Most auto parts stores will not have one. Don't let them talk you into shoving any old thing in there. The right battery matters.

After you get the bike started you'll know if damage has been done to the electrical system if the battery won't stay charged. Ed

My local store does have a battery for me! Headed there now to pick it up along with new plugs. Cross your fingers folks!!

Great! Around here the folks in the auto stores look at you like you have 2 heads if you ask for a motorcycle battery. :laugh: Ed

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eric77kz wrote: 77' KZ 650C .So, I recently pulled my carbs cleaned them and reinstalled them with new airbox ducts. It has not ran in a while. I thought it would fire up after tis work but no dice. I checked all plugs and wires. They are sparking. What is my next step here??

How was performance just before the carb work?

Were floats possibly installed upside down?

Will the engine start and run momentarily when spraying starting fluid into the airbox?

Was a new aftermarket inline fuel filter installed after the carb work before any gasoline was admitted to the carbs?

Good Fortune!

So Ed I got new battery and plugs but still no dice. I know you said kickstart it and I tried may be a fuel thing(diff post). However I also tried my starter and it wouldn't even try! Just clicked. Took the battery back and they said it was a bad cell! Crazy right?! Got a replacement and will try again tomorrow with yet again new fuel filter(if I can find right size). Old ones were ok but leaking a bit and had trouble getting them to stay on. Planned on replacing them already but was working on one thing at a time. Also have not tried starter fluid yet.