79 kz400 Oil on my spark plugs HELP PLEASE

First off, I'm a complete moron. I know absolutely nothing about motorcycles. I just got my first bike(79 kz400)

I was riding it just fine for about 2-3 weeks. All of a sudden on a ride it just died and wouldn't start. Still won't start. I charged the battery, and checked the SPARK PLUGS and they were covered in oil? I'm guessing that is bad? I bought new spark plugs, put them in and it still won't start.

What do i do? Thanks everyone

Oil can be from valve guide seals or blowing past piston rings. Can be coming through a bad head gasket or oil seal.

Whenever an engine won't run:

1) check compression. I think yours should be at least 110 psi ballpark to run.

2) check spark.

3) check fuel.

Are you positive it is oil and not fuel? Ed

Ok, so i'm not sure if it was fuel or oil on the spark plugs. Either way, It had too much oil in it, so i changed the oil and oil filter, and also bought new spark plugs.
I finally got it to start and run, but it sounded horrible. It was back firing and crackling.
Any thoughts?

Ok, so i'm not sure if it was fuel or oil on the spark plugs. Either way, It had too much oil in it, so i changed the oil and oil filter, and also bought new spark plugs.
I finally got it to start and run, but it sounded horrible. It was back firing and crackling.
Any thoughts?

Too much oil in it? Are you sure it was only oil and not oil contaminated by gasoline?

If the fuel petcock and one or more of the carburetor needle valves fail, fuel can overfill the carburetor(s) and slowly leak into the engine. This can leave the spark plug(s) wet and can fill the crankcase with gasoline.

Im not sure if it was only oil or oil contaminated with gasoline. All i know is the spark plugs had black stuff on them.
I changed the spark plugs. It will start now, It takes a while to get it to start however, but when it does start it sounds horrible.

I should probably just take it somewhere to get looked at i guess. I was hoping it was something that wasn't going to cost a ton of money, but it sounds like it might??? Do you think this is going to cost a lot?

Thanks

Do you have a manual? You should. Take it step by step.
Steve

Does it run long enough to get the engine warm?
If yes, does slowly engaging the choke make it much worse or very quickly die?
Do you have the air cleaner on or off?
Have you had a chance to view the ignition system with respect to the owners manual?
#1 Have you had a chance to procure a service manual?
I bet you can find a copy on the NET and it might even be free.....

Are you sure you got the spakplug wires on correctly? One coil fires plugs 1 & 4, the other coil fires 2 & 3.

Oh wait, the '79 KZ 400 was a twin wasn't it?

A genuine Kawasaki factory service manual is a must-have for any owner of a 35 year old motorcycle. It contains detailed, systematic maintenance and diagnostic procedures that will save you a great deal of time, money and grief. Just randomly stabbing at problems often results in added problems and expense.

These old bikes are not particularly complicated, so anybody with basic wrenching skills and aptitude can perform most of the maintenance and many needed repairs. Patience, the right tools, a fsm and some sage advice will likely get your KZ back on the road in pretty short order.

Agreed
Steve