Help with my 81' kz440

The rubber bits around the polyester caps are o-rings & should be replaced. A Harbor Freight metric o-ring kit might have a suitable size. Some auto parts stores have o-rings. nitrile or viton (not hardware store plumbing o-rings).

The bike needs a good battery to run right as it supplies the energy to fire the coils & the charging system needs to be working. If the battery is in a poor state of charge, use a good smart charger (not the bike's charging system).

Damn I just got back from harbor freight. I'll get some o-rings tomorrow and update. Also I'm repairing the wire that heats up so I'll let you know the outcome of that aswell

Replace or repair if possible damaged wires. If any terminals have to be replaced, such as the bonding lug on the frame ground wire, be sure to do a good/proper connection with the proper tools. Poorly done mash crimp connections should be avoided as they can fail from engine vibration --- you may as well do 'em right.

Also, connections become poor from oxidation over time & the po may have buggered up stuff. So you should check & clean any electrical connectors when possible. Mfolks has a good writeup somewhere for cleaning up old connections.