1974 KZ 400 no start- recent issue

Hey folks, new member, been lurking for a while.

I recently purchased a 1974 KZ 400 in working order. It has been running, recently replaced the chain, cleaned, lubed and adjusted clutch and cables as well as a state inspection.

The bike has 19k miles- I have put about 100 on it.

When it runs it runs great. Here are the facts.

Brand new battery- installed by me within the last couple weeks
Has been running- would fire by kick start or electric start
When the key is on, headlights, horn, directionals all work

The issue- It will not start either by kick or electric.

It had been running, driving etc, came home parked it, wiped it down, pulled it out of the garage the next day and it wont fire.

The starter motor turns- makes all kinds of noise when the button is pressed, just doesn't seem to be catching.
I have checked spark- pulled plug and grounded to engine- visible spark- fuel in tank and in lines, checked carbs, has fuel

Any suggestions or advice would be great. If need be I can upload a video.

I am somewhat mechanically inclined, although my experience working on 40+ year old bikes is minimal, as I am more of a automotive tinkerer.

Thanks in advance!

interestingly enough, shortly after posting this and continuing to mess around with the bike in the garage it fired up. After doing some more research based on performance, and sound it may be the starter motor starting to go. As far as the no kick start, guess I just wasn't prodding her hard enough.

You may want to go thru the carbs and make sure they are clean. Also should check/replace the points, wires, plugs
Once these little darlings are in running nick they are pretty reliable. Mine will sit for six months and usually start right up.

ThatGPzGuy wrote: Once these little darlings are in running nick they are pretty reliable. Mine will sit for six months and usually start right up.

Exactly. I just started mine up yesterday for the first time since November and it fired right up and I took a lap around the block. It's running well. (I did run the carbs dry when I rode it last and topped off the tank. I drained out the old gas a couple weeks ago - ran it in my mower - and put fresh gas in it)

Good suggestion on the carbs, but once it is running it runs fine. It does have new plugs, and looking at the points they appear to be OK, but it never hurts to follow up on older machines.