1978 kawasaki kz650 starting problem

my bike will turn over and start fine when cold but once I drive it and it is warmed up I go to start it and it turns over a lot before it starts. is it the advancer is the timing off or a bad starter?

If the starter is cranking the engine over the problem isn't the starter. It could just be that you need a tune-up. Ignition timing, carbs, valve clearances, etc. should be checked periodically and adjusted as needed. The owner manual and Kawasaki Service Manual both show the maintenance schedule. Ed

actually when it doe this i dont think it is turning the engine over its just the stater making a grinding like sound until it hits the right spot then the engine will start ... probably bad stater right?

If the starter motor is turning but the crankshaft isn't then the starter's one-way clutch is going/gone out.

Later, Doug

Search starter clutch.

well its sounds like the stater clutch is going and i don't really want to tear it apart to fix it ,so i thought i would just use the kickstarter but that has problems to most of the time it doesn't grab and turn the engine a lot of play in the shaft back and fourth too does this require taking the engine apart too .