'87 305 can't find points

I bought my first bike, an '87 kz 305. It starts, but doesn't go faster than 35 mph. I cleaned the carbs and adjusted float level, changed the oil, filter, and plugs and then opened the cover to look at the points. There was only a wasp nest! I have the manual and only see pictures of points above the left plug, but there is nothing there. Can anyone explain for me what happened to the points? Thanks.

I am not familier with your bike but I would be willing to bet that by 1987 these models came with an electronic ignition instead of points.

Hello, goodluck1, and WELCOME to KZR!
We're glad you're here!

This 1980 KZ305 diagram is from kawasaki.com.

As suggested by sabell, it is an electronic ignition which has no points but instead uses a "pulsing coil" and an "igniter" to send signals to the coils.

Could use a small parts brush and shop vac to clean out the area, and it may still function okay.

Good Luck!

[Click on image to enhance view]




REF NUMBER PART NUMBER DESCRIPTION QUANTITY US CA CN REMARKS


21119 21119-1227 IGNITER 1


21121 21121-1071 COIL-IGNITION,LH 1


21121A 21121-1072 COIL-IGNITION,RH 1


21130 21130-1003 CAP-SPARK PLUG 2


59026 59026-1021 COIL-PULSING 1


92015 92015-1193 NUT,FLANGED,6MM 4


92070 92070-1034 PLUG-SPARK,D9EA(NGK) 2


92071 21132-005 GROMMET,HIGH TENSION 2


92071A 92071-1015 GROMMET,SPARK PLUG CAP 2


187 187B0616 BOLT-UPSET-WSP 2


223 223B0512 SCREW-PAN-WS-CROS 4

I would take a closer look at the carbs to see why it will not go faster than 35 MPH. There are very small passages in the carbs that can clog very easy. Also check fuel petcock and any fuel filters for clogging. Good Luck

goodluck1 wrote:

I bought my first bike, an '87 kz 305. It starts, but doesn't go faster than 35 mph. I cleaned the carbs and adjusted float level, changed the oil, filter, and plugs and then opened the cover to look at the points. There was only a wasp nest! I have the manual and only see pictures of points above the left plug, but there is nothing there. Can anyone explain for me what happened to the points? Thanks.

Perhaps running on just one cylinder.

If not already done, would remove plugs and check for spark.

Good Luck!

Thanks! Now I know that it has electronic ignition. I was relying on the manual which only showed points. As far as the lack of power. I think both cylinders are firing because both exhausts get hot. Is that right then that they are firing? I cleaned the carb with carb cleaner and took out all the little parts and poked a plastic bristle from a brush through all the holes.
It seems to backfire at around 3,500-4,000 rpm and as I said it only reaches about 35 mph. Since this is my first bike and I don't know anyone who rides I'm really stumbling through this, but I am having fun and I appreciate all the help already given.

Do you have access to an air compressor for blowing out the passages in the carbs. If the bike has been sitting it may need a little more than spraying carb cleaner. I would also check the tank for rust, trash, debris and what not. Then remove the fuel petcock from the tank and clean, then replace inline filter(you do have an inline filter don't you?) Then when all the above is cleaned go for the carbs. If you do not make sure that everything is clear you will suck trash into the carbs every single time after cleaning them. Start from the tank and work your way to the carbs. Also don't feel bad as this is very common with bikes of this age.

goodluck1 wrote:

Thanks! Now I know that it has electronic ignition. I was relying on the manual which only showed points. As far as the lack of power. I think both cylinders are firing because both exhausts get hot. Is that right then that they are firing? I cleaned the carb with carb cleaner and took out all the little parts and poked a plastic bristle from a brush through all the holes.
It seems to backfire at around 3,500-4,000 rpm and as I said it only reaches about 35 mph. Since this is my first bike and I don't know anyone who rides I'm really stumbling through this, but I am having fun and I appreciate all the help already given.

A few seconds after engine is started, water mist sprayed onto exhaust headers will sizzle and instantly vaporize where there's combustion in the cylinder.

If not already done, would assure valve clearances are within specs, and also perform a compression test on each cylinder.

Would remove plugs, leaving them attached to caps, hold the bases against the engine head, and visually observe spark while cranking the engine over. Look for fat blue spark.

As known, the ABC's are compression, spark and fuel mixture.

Good Luck!

Goodluck, Welcome.. If you havent yet, look to airfilter, years of moisture may have caused element to harden.../mouse houses are common in airboxes..misc obstructions to intake also. luck G