Won't run at night

OK I have a '77 650C, which I've had for only a week and haven't had on the road yet, so I don't know much about it.
I got it going the other day after cleaning the carbs and tank of bad gas, and was letting it idle and trying to get that adjusted. Got it running decent (although won't idle low), but when it turned dusk and the running lights came on, I couldn't get it to start, and it backfired.
Could this be electrical related? I checked the points, they are in good shape and gapped properly when open. I am a complete novice when it comes to electrical...

Hi civilengr3, welcome to the KZR Nation.

The symptoms are telling you that you have a battery and or connector contacts and or charging system fault(s).

Let's get you on the road. A few of the very basic things:

1) Clean contacts in fuse box... even if they LOOK good.

2) Check the battery fluid levels and add distilled water if necessary. And if no change in symptoms, be prepared to charge with a motorcycle charger only or get a new battery.

3) Check and clean the connectors contacts... dielectric grease them if you have it... especially Battery (-) to engine ground.

If this does not help get a Repair Manual and multimeter and be prepared to test/troubleshoot the charging system.

Best of success.

BTW, could you add your year, model and location for the best responses.

And, can we get a picture of your new bike?

What are these "Running-Lights" you speak of?
Lights that come on automatically at dusk?:huh:

Didn't know any of the KZ's HAD such a feature.

Bill, thanks for the list. I will do all those tonight! Plus I'll take a few pics. I've been trying so hard to get it on the road, I hadn't taken any pics yet.

Sandy, yup, it started getting dark out and the tail light and turn signals all came on. I assumed that was normal. Also figured that was too much load for the electrical system, if it's not all clean and whatnot.

I'm a novice here as well, but from what I know the lights should always be on. I'm not sure about the laws where you are, but in Wisconsin, the lights must always be on, regardless of time of day.

Are you sure the lights weren't on all along, and you just couldn't see them until it was dusk?

I guess either way, I would start by cleaning the electrical contacts. You may have a bad connection someplace, or a lose ground wire or something.

Best of luck.

m m mm mmm mmmaby it'sssss afraid of the d d d dark!! Nope never heard of automatic lights on a bike! Twood be new to me! I have a few not always on lighted bikes but you got to turn them on. Methinks there are other issues afoot!!

Umm, ok. That's weird. The tailight and turn signals came on but not the headlight. I just figured it had a sensor like my Silverado. 'Course, that's an '02; don't think they had that technology in '77. Very weird indeed.:blink:

The reserve lighting system (a small box uder the seat with 4 wires comming out of it) might be failing or corroded headlight connections in the headlight housing.

A 1977 650C model has as seperate headlamp switch on the right control and nothing except the ignition system and charging system is fed any power until to operate a swithch, ie: headlight switch for head and tail light, turn signal switch, or 4 way switch (under the t/s switch, has to be pushed in to turn them on) or either the front brake lever has to be pulled or rear brake pedal has to be pushed for the brake light to come on.
The key has 3 positions,, off to left, on in center and accesories to the right, in the accesory position the tailight comes on and the 4 ways will work the center position is the normal running position.
Make sure you have the key in the center position and all other switches are off to start it and try again.

the 77's don't have a reserve lighting system.

mariozappa wrote:

the 77's don't have a reserve lighting system.

Thanks man, I was looking all over for it, and couldn't find it! Now I know why:P
I cleaned up the lectric components as suggested and it ran fine tonight. Hopefully that was it!
Yeah, Milkman, it seems to start and idle better with no accessories on. Which concerns me a little with the idle. Is that normal?

Check your voltage at the battery when idling. At idle the voltage should be around 12 volts, at 3500 to 4000 rpm the volts should kick up to around 14.5. Readings significantly lower than these numbers mean there's something wrong with the charging system, which could easily explain the crappy idle (not getting enough juice to power all the electrical needs of the bike).