TOPIC:

I only let one of my bikes sit out, my 1977 Kawa KZ650

I let it sit out for two weeks straight and had to kick it a LOT of times to get is started.

Today when i was riding the bike felt less strong, the exhaust (stock) didnt sound as peppy and I hear a little rattling noise, a bit like loose change, not all the time though.

I let the bike sit and started it up. I noticed only two of the pipes get really hot. As the bke ran, i took the spark plug boot off of the left hand (clutch side) outer most spark plug. I think thats 4?

I saw spark so its getting spark. Could I have fouled the plug earlier in the week with all that kicking?

Plug's are cheap put new plug's in it.

zukdave wrote: Plug's are cheap put new plug's in it.

Yeah i figured it might be the plugs. Thanks for responding. I think I will get NGK Iridium plugs this time.

650Dude wrote:

zukdave wrote: Plug's are cheap put new plug's in it.

I think I will get NGK Iridium plugs this time.

I'd put the factory B7ES plug in it check the ign. system for good ground's and full battery voltage at the coil's

zukdave wrote:

650Dude wrote:

zukdave wrote: Plug's are cheap put new plug's in it.

I think I will get NGK Iridium plugs this time.

I'd put the factory B7ES plug in it check the ign. system for good ground's and full battery voltage at the coil's

yeah i'll keep it stock plugs then

Iridium plugs are good for clean running motors, they don't like older motors that much unless the mixtures/ engine condition are perfect. As for leaving it outside I find that offensive, surely there is room near your bed.

Which pipes are not getting hot?
The rattling noise may be from a loose or bad exhaust ring, when the bike is cold grab the exhaust pipes up by the head and try to move them sideways , if you find any movement try to tighten down the flange , if that dosn't help replace the rings

By 650 dude: ... i took the spark plug boot off of the left hand (clutch side) outer most spark plug. I think thats 4? ...

The cylinders, spark plugs, carburetors, etc are numbered 1-2-3-4 .Left-to-Right .as you're sitting on the motorcycle.



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Common on these old bikes. Rattle is most likely baffling inside of pipe rusted away inside.
When these old bikes sit on kickstand for extended time. . Oil flows to that side more. Sits in the head. a little extra runs by guide & seal.
Plus the float bowl, would have extra gas sitting on kick stand.
The plugs foul easy. When I rode 900 street bikes, I always had a couple of dry plugs & a plug socket in the tray under seat for a quick change.
Don't buy any new plugs. Just keep a few old ones. Clean them, Dry them with a propane torch, then they're good to go.
And never use Champion plugs! When you have slight engine issues. NGK and Autolite were always the best for me 20-30 yrs. ago. When points were the normal.
I'll show my age here! This is a non-fouler! It extends the plug up. keeps it a little drier. Had this for old harley Shovel head engines. It don't fit 3/4" reach plugs. You need to put a shorter plug. But when you had a bad cylinder / head that needed work. This would get you by!

Bozo wrote: Iridium plugs are good for clean running motors, they don't like older motors that much unless the mixtures/ engine condition are perfect. As for leaving it outside I find that offensive, surely there is room near your bed.

LOL. Funny. its not a pristing 650 but clean enough. I cover it and wax it every 4 days. Never sees the sun. i have 4 other bikes and they are PRISTINE so i dont leave them out. Thats the 650's job!

z1kzonly wrote: Common on these old bikes. Rattle is most likely baffling inside of pipe rusted away inside.
When these old bikes sit on kickstand for extended time. . Oil flows to that side more. Sits in the head. a little extra runs by guide & seal.
Plus the float bowl, would have extra gas sitting on kick stand.
The plugs foul easy. When I rode 900 street bikes, I always had a couple of dry plugs & a plug socket in the tray under seat for a quick change.
Don't buy any new plugs. Just keep a few old ones. Clean them, Dry them with a propane torch, then they're good to go.
And never use Champion plugs! When you have slight engine issues. NGK and Autolite were always the best for me 20-30 yrs. ago. When points were the normal.

I'll show my age here! This is a non-fouler! It extends the plug up. keeps it a little drier. Had this for old harley Shovel head engines. It don't fit 3/4" reach plugs. You need to put a shorter plug. But when you had a bad cylinder / head that needed work. This would get you by!

Thanks for this wealth of info. Im going to clean them as you suggest.

martin_csr wrote: By 650 dude: ... i took the spark plug boot off of the left hand (clutch side) outer most spark plug. I think thats 4? ...

The cylinders, spark plugs, carburetors, etc are numbered 1-2-3-4 .Left-to-Right .as you're sitting on the motorcycle.

Thanks. Then #1 pipe wasnt getting hot.



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