KZ 750 Troubleshooting

First of all, I am new to the world of motorcycle ownership, so please bare with me as I try to describe this issue. I just picked up an '82 KZ 750 twin that has been heavily modified. It is not running, but I am told it is just a timing issue. The guy said it was running, he adjusted the timing, went the wrong way, and now it doesn't run. We'll see if that's true or not...

Anyway, I do not have a service manual, and I really don't know where to start. I took what the ignition coil cover off, but I don't even know what I'm looking for or how to adjust the timing. The heads of the screws holding the coil in place are stripped, so I will likely need to get that resolved first. Can anyone help me out? I can post pictures if necessary.

get a manual first,you will need an impact driver to get the screws out,replace those one at a time so not to change the timing you have right now to make it worse.then losen them all and turn it either clockwise or counterclockwise an1/8 in. to start.the 750 twin might turn backwards like the 400/440 which would mean to advance timing turn it counterclockwise.

Can you get a set of vice grips on those screws?

I had that problem once. I used a thin cut-off wheel to cut slots in the screw heads, then got them out with a big screw driver. Of course, you'll want to replace them however you get them out. A little anti-seize compound will keep them from freezing again.

Then just setting the timing marks to TDC will at least usually get it running, if indeed that's the problem.

Wired George has a digital copy of a kz750 manual. If you go to www.wgcarbs.com , sign up for his vintage bike tech forum, you'll find the download button in the lower left corner of the front page. I used the digital copy for a while until I could pick up an original manual on ebay for a reasonable price.

Good luck!

So, I guess you have the KZ750-CSR Twin?

Get a genuine Kawasaki Factory Service Manual for the KZ750-Twin. .....
(just in case... don't get a 750-4 manual).
Ebbaayy is probably your best bet - here's one, but it's kinda pricy: OEM Service Manual KZ750B Twin KZ750 KZ 750 Kawasaki .

Other places might have a manual - such as Books4Cars.com or RepairManuals.com.

Whoops! It's a twin! Stupid me, forget what I said above.

Ditto - sorry!

Been to this website? www.armbell.com/forum/index.php?c=13&mforum=kz400

I got a factory manual on CD ROM off fleabay for $8 for the 750 twins.

Alright, so far: so good. I got an electronic version of the manual from www.kz750twins.com (linked from George's KZ Twin forum). And I successfully removed 1 screw via vice grip plier. (Thanks for the advice about not removing all at once, I never even considered that!)

I will be stopping at the hardware store on the way home to get the replacements and I'll also stop for some gas. The battery is freshly charged, so we'll see if I can get this going tonight. I'm getting bored of sitting on it and making my own engine sounds. I will likely use YouTube to document my endeavors throughout the course of this project for the world's entertainment.

Thanks again for all the help thus far!

It has finally risen above freezing in my garage, so I used the opportunity to install some new parts and figure everything out. I replaced the point, condensor, ignition coil, spark plug wires, and spark plugs. I have timing set to manual spec (I believe), and after a few attempts to kick start it, I almost crapped my pants at the roar inside my garage. It sounds great. If my neighbors don't already hate me, they will now.

Anyway, after running it for a little while and twisting the throttle, I shut it down. While it was running, some soot was coming out the exhaust . I pulled the plugs after and they were slightly wet and fouled. I could wipe it all away with my finger. I did not notice any backfiring while it ran. In fact, it seemed to be rather smooth, except for the black smoke. Does this seem like it is just running rich? How can I find out if there is still a timing issue?