Problem getting my 1975 KZ400s to start after doing a whole bunch of work to it

  • bcfox0630
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24 Apr 2026 02:19 #923291 by bcfox0630
So I have a 1975 KZ400 kick only motorcycle that ran pretty damn good when I got it a couple years back. I had a buddy that wanted me to build it into a hard tail and just make it simplified. I had tore it all apart other than the engine, made it hard tail and as it set for a couple of years I lost some of the original wiring and whatnot but I just made a bare bones simple wiring harness for a new headlight, brake light, key switch, new Mike's Reg Rec combo, new wires and boots, new spark plugs, 3 ohm magna coils, and electronic dual fire ignition, and two new Mikuni VM 30's (that I bought from Summit Racing last year) but haven't done any changing of the needles or anything of that nature because I am not that proficient of them. I have timed it and every time I send it around the indicator light lights up just past the f mark, I have spark because I checked it with a inline plug tool that lights up as I try to kick the Kickstarter. I'm not that great with these older Japanese bikes with the multi-carberation but when I try to kick start it it just seems like I am not getting any rumble of any sort if that makes sense. I just really need some help because I don't have transportation and the little bit of money I do did have I have put into this being mostly all new parts and I don't have anybody local that can help me! Please someone give me some info or what to do or ask questions maybe I can explain better what it's doing with somebody's questions! Thank you just would really love to get this thing started

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  • Wookie58
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24 Apr 2026 02:29 #923292 by Wookie58
Any motor needs 4 things to start, you need to identify what you are missing (what ignition system are you using ?)
  • Air
  • Fuel
  • Compression
  • Spark (at the right time)

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  • F64
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24 Apr 2026 03:26 - 24 Apr 2026 03:27 #923295 by F64
Spray some starting fluid into the carbs. Then try to start it.
What do your plugs look like after trying to start the bike?

81-KZ440-D2.
Louis Dudzik's GM HEI ignitor conversion installed 2015 s3.amazonaws.com/gpzweb/Ignition/GPZgmHEImod.html
Motogadget m-unit blue installed 2017.
LIC, NY
Last edit: 24 Apr 2026 03:27 by F64.

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24 Apr 2026 12:33 #923303 by chopper1963
It is Spring. Officially.

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  • bcfox0630
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03 May 2026 18:05 #923621 by bcfox0630
They are clean as hell

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03 May 2026 18:09 #923622 by bcfox0630
I'm using a dual fire ignition that was meant for a Harley. It's the same one I watched a guy on YouTube used on his kz400 and it worked great for him

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