NO POWER !!!!!

I rode my 81 550 LTD to the local Kaw dealer to pick up a new brake pull, and everything was working fine. When I came back out and got ready to start the bike, NOTHING>>>>> no lights, no crank NOTHING.

I checked the two fuse blocks under the left side cover.. all fuses look good from visual check. I tried to "jump" the solenoid, and it will crank over perfectly, but get no spark...
The battery is fully charged and only a few months old..

ANY IDEAS???

and, no, I do not have a service manual for this machine, YET. But I need to get this back up and running so I can get back and forth to work.

I think you had the right Idea to check the fuse, the main fuse is probably bad. Those glass fuses overheat and while looking OK are disconnected at the end cap.
Replace the Main Fuse and see what happens.

Motor Head wrote: I think you had the right Idea to check the fuse, the main fuse is probably bad. Those glass fuses overheat and while looking OK are disconnected at the end cap.
Replace the Main Fuse and see what happens.

see what happens? SEE WHAT HAPPENS? I'LL TELL YOU WHAT HAPPENS!!!!!..... it worked..... main fuse, looked good, but a new fuse in it's place and all the power came back... Thanks for the insight... I'm guessing that MOTOR HEAD is a KZ Guru... thankfully the Guru chose to guide me.

The glass tubed fuses can look good but have failed internaly. If in doubt, replace them, this is why the motorcycle manufacturers have used the newer "Blade Style" like cars are using.

Your fuses are the "AGX" size, found at most auto parts stores and some boating supply places.I'd get a selection of 10,20, and possibly 30 amp fuses.

I'll repeat myself here, but it's good information:

Fuse And Fuse Holder Designations

1. The older Kawasaki’s use a glass tubed fuse with the designation of AGX 1” long. Most good auto parts stores can get them for you. They are ¼” in diameter.

2. The more common AGC is 1 ¼” long and may not fit the smaller fuse clips. Again, ¼” in diameter.

3. To clean and polish the fuse clips, I use a cotton swab(Q- Tip) and some Brasso metal cleaner or Turtle Wax Chrome Polish. I suppose any good metal polish would work.

4. These fuses can fail internally but look good, only by removing them from the clip and electrically continuity checking with either a self powered test light, or a multimeter set on OHMS can they be determined to be in good shape.

5. A physical inspection of the metal end caps for tightness will tell you if the fuse is serviceable.

6. Most modern motorcycles are now using the automobile “Blade” style fuse with the designation of ATC or ATO.

7. The reduced sized “Mini” Blade style fuse holder uses the ATM size of fuses.

8. If the fuse and fuse holder overheat, it could soften or anneal the grip of the clip, it might require squeezing the clip to restore the tightness.

9. A list of where to purchase “Blade” style fuses and holders:

www.waytekwire.com order.waytekwire.com/productdetail2/M50/...20%20%20%208%20FUSE/

www.rallylights.com www.rallylights.com/detail.aspx?ID=765

www.delcity.net/store/6!way-fuse-blocks/p_10822.a_1

10. A source for the glass tubed AGX fuses:
www.boatownerswarehouse.com/browse.cfm/2,4986.html

Did you check the kill switch. You'd be surprised how easy it is to overlook :whistle: :whistle:

Does your bike have a sidestand switch that may have come unplugged or loose or broken?

Please ignore me. I just read your solution.....

TexasKZ wrote: Did you check the kill switch. You'd be surprised how easy it is to overlook :whistle: :whistle:

Does your bike have a sidestand switch that may have come unplugged or loose or broken?

Do look at the condition of both the fuse panel clips that hold the fuse and the wire at each side of the Main Fuse a couple of inches back up the harness. They are probably showing signs of heat, this = resistance which generates heat, which blows/ disconnects the cap on the end of the fuse.
If in doubt, take a picture or two and upload them in your thread,

As the glass fuses get old they start heating up and also heat up the fuse boxes. Like they say "everything goes with age" That goes triple with fuse boxes. I built a blade fuse, fuse box for mine.