81 kz650 low voltage to cdi box

Okay I have other threads but there is no more replies. I have finally found the issue but cannot resolve it yet. For my CDI box to fire i have to get 10.5v to it but I'm only getting 9.5. My kill switch is very hard to turn so I tried holding the 2 wires together and trying it. Still only getting 9.5v. I'm guessing I'm missing a main ground as I tried to see what voltage i was getting to the main fuse to see if I was only getting 9.5v there when I put the positive lead to the fuse it blew. I do not have a main ground to my frame and cannot find where it's supposed to ground from like what component or connector. I have the lead just no idea where it goes. Please help I'm so close to getting Her running BUt NEed IDeas

If the ignition grounding is being done through a chassis connection, would change it to an engine connection.

Good Fortune!

The ground wire you show in the photo has an aftermarket bullet connector on it suggesting some meddling. You should have a ground from the engine to frame and/or to the starter.

BTW, your bike doesn't have a CDI. It's an ignitor.

determined the only thing drawing power is the starter motor. will make sure it is grounded correctly as it drops the voltage to about 8.7v when its on. no other lights or anything is connected just to see. how can i determine if its drawing too much power and is there any way to fix it? i noticed the previous owner bypassed the starter lockout switch when he hotwired it with a toggle switch.

The starter motor gets its ground from the case, which gets its ground from the engine proper.

okay hmm. how would i check how much power it is drawing? and how would i fix it if its drawing too much? the starter lockout switch doesnt have a resistive circuit does it?

It looks like your starter motor need more current as normal = voltage drop by a bad electric connection under heavy load.
Try to remove the starter motor out of his engine housing and ground the starter motor to the engine case, which gets its ground from the battery negative. The starter motor should spin freely with out any voltage drop lower than 12 Volt.
The internal starter brushes or commutator could be weak, short cut or worn out.

i will give it a shot, just to make sure you are saying to pull it out, put it to engine block and press the start button then check the voltage drop while doing so?

Yes, do so to confirm you have no voltage drop on the igniter and got sparks on the plugs.

okay thank you! i will try when i get home. if it is good, do you know anywhere i could find parts to fix the starte r motor?

Since the kill switch is hard to turn, the problem may lie therein. Possibly either from corrosion or some sort of damage.
I would open up the handlebar control switch for inspection & test for voltage.
I would also check for voltage at the ignition switch connector. W & Y. and the handlebar control connector.

The main engine grounding point is on the right side near the oil filler cap. It is the main/fat ground wire that goes directly from the battery neg (-) to the engine. I am not aware of a dedicated ground to the frame. I think the chassis grounding is thru that main engine ground & the black-yellow grounding circuit, also at the battery neg (-) terminal.

1981 KZ650-H1 wiring diagram.
To enlarge the wiring diagram. open the image in a new window, then click again to enlarge. It's big.

Have you tried bump starting the bike to see if you get spark that way?