Need a little help with points on KZ650

OK, here's the problem: I am trying to get this bike running, just to see if the engine is good. Problem I am having is, I have very weak spark at the points on 1-4, and no spark on 2-3. Needless to say, no spark at the plugs. The points are old, but I have cleaned, filed, and adjusted them. If the motor is OK I plan to put on electronic ignition so I dont want buy new points. I have a fully charged battery, and get 12volts at the points. I checked continuity for ground and it is good. Any ideas. I think I am just having a "brain fart", & have overlooked something. have not worked on anything with points in years, and not on a bike since '88 or so.
BTW I'm new here so go easy on me for a while.
Thanks

Post edited by: TLH101, at: 2006/01/05 15:38

Did you check the coils?

What is the general condition of this bike, has someone had it running in the last few months? Did you install new plugs yet? and do you have a shop manual?

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/01/05 17:20

Kent,
Yes the guy I got it from had it running, but he said it was not good. He put a new set of plugs in it. #s 1&2 look good, but 3&4 are pretty sooty. I dont know how much time it ran. He at ran it up and down the street a couple of times at least. He has no mechanical ability, so after finding out how much the shops charge for labor, he gave the bike to my friend, and, he already has 3 bikes so he gave it to me .
It will need some work, mostly cosmetic, but has 140-160psi compression on all the cylinders.
I have a manual ordered, but it has not come yet.

Welcome to KZR. Nice to see a member with another 650 aboard.

A check,cleaning and Dielectric grease on all the wiring connections might solve your problem. Here are some pages from a manual that may help:
.




Post edited by: rstnick, at: 2006/01/05 19:10

Rob,
Thank you. That will be a big help.
Actually, I went outside and cranked the bike over with out it being out in the bright sunlight, and I seem to have much better spark than I thought. I will use all the provided info to make nsure I have the points done right and maybe get it fired up tomorrow.

thanks for the help guys. I got her kicked of by shooting fuel in the cabs and it seems to be ok. Guess now I need to rebuild the carbs to get it running right. They are "nast-eeee".:sick:

rstnick, way cool, did you scan the pages? I think it would be neat to have a section on the site with the repair books of bikes on it, may help in solving problems, plus it would make a great referance site

Yes they were scanned. It would be nice to be able to look this stuff up over KZR.
I need to find the Timing Advance RPMs for the '79 KZ1000 for my points to electronic conversion.

I know the 650s is:
.

The carbs may need rebuilding, (left a post on that in your other carb thread)... before you go there have you checked the valve clearances? Do that and the tuneup first. You also should remove the spark plug caps from the end of the wire. Look closely, does it look corroded? Then snip a 1/4" off that end, replace the caps and check your spark again. If you snip more than that the wires may not reach the plugs again.

Also check the voltage at the coils, should be darn close to 12v, but probably isn't. If it's much less check the "Coil powering direct from battery " article in the filebase section of this website.

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2006/01/07 11:56

Kent,
Got it to fire and run by shooting gas into the engine through the carbs. They are so dirty, they will never run the engine. I disassembled and cleaned them today. I have kits and other needed items ordered, as well as a tune up kit. Plans to check the valve clearances tomorrow, then I have to wait for parts before I can do much else, other than clean the fuel tank.
Thanks for the help.

Terry,
Take your time on the carbs. It helps to do one at a time. Oop, wrong thread.

When you get your ignition kit you may want to carefully check the advancer, it sits behind the points. Sometimes they are mucked up , rusty, need a good cleaning. Take care with the advance springs. I removed mine to clean the shaft and remove as much rust as possible. The felt will need a touch of lube.