I just bought a non running kawasaki kz1000-p. The guy i bought it from, a guy that I trust, told me that it just suddenly quit running. when you try to start it, it cranks but when you hit the throttle it just backfires.

I know nothing about motorcycles so does anyone have any suggestion? if this was a truck motor I'd assume the timing was off or the plugs wires were mixed up.


also does anyone know how you check the timing on such a motorcycle?

 

You should get a Clymer or other fine brand shop manual.

The timing is probably checked against a mark on the flywheel/alternator under a cover on the left side of the engine cases.

I had a bike where the flywheel got loose and wobbly, I also had one shear the key off and go way out of time.

Keep in mind the cost to rebuild an engine like this quickly exceeds the value of the bike, especially this model.

Another likely suspect in a sudden quit situation is the cam chain. If you're lucky, you don't have bent valves if that happened.

Do a google search, these things have a following as they are plentiful and cheap and many folks like to wear the two-tone helmet, put some fog lights in where the reds and blues were, and go out and impersonate the police for fun.

 

what year is it?

when you thumb the starter does it crank?(does it actually turn over?)
it sounds like youre getting gas and a spark if it backfires, start with the easiest thing, take off the tank and clean out the airbox and use some carb cleaner on the carbs.

if you trust this guy ask him if the cam chain tensioner went out and if it jumped a tooth. if so, its not hard to fix and a replacement cct is only about $50. also make sure the spark plug wires are going to the right plugs... check the wiring of the killswitch, make sure there arent any shorts, check the oxygen sensor... the atmospheric pressure sensor may be fouled...

check the tipover switch. when bikes are tipped over on their side, theres a little gravity switch that engages. if its dirty it might be stuck and you wont get the bike started.

all these little sensors/switches should be in the tail section
be sure and post a pic up of the bike so we can all see it eh?

 

A manual is a good idea.
Many of the imports have electronic ignition, and you cannot adjust the timing. To check it you can remove the cam cover on the top (looks like a valve cover), and look for the marks on the end, probably with one of the pistons at tdc. The manual will tell you which one and where the mark is. You can also then check the chain tensioner. You will probably have to use a new gasket. Look in the back of bike magazines like Cycle World. There are usually alot of ads for discount parts where you can order what you want. If the bike is older the dealer will not stock parts.

Check to see if you are getting spark at the plugs. If not start checking back up the line to find the problem. Again you will need a manual and a meter to test everything.

If you are getting spark at the plugs, and the chain tensioner looks ok, then pull the carbs and give them a good cleaning. Remove all the jets and squirt cleaner in them. When you squirt in a hole, it is supposed to come out somewhere else. Make sure the jets themselves are clear.

Check the switches and sensors if the bike has them. Some bikes have a switch in the clutch to make sure it is in before you start.

You may also want to look at the joint between the head and cyliners for leaks.

Keep looking and you will find the problem. Enjoy the bike and ride safe.

 

find a good manual first.sounds to me that the timing is out might be as simple as bad set of points this is a good bike and can be made scary fast with little money and time .Parts are still pretty easy to get for the most part, if it has points replace them with a good electronic ignition,do a search online and you will find a lot of info.as long as you get a good repair manual there not that hard to work on.I sold mine a few years ago but I think I still have the manual and will dig it out when I get to my shop today and will try to help answer any questions I can .what year and model is it kz 1000 or kz 1000 LTD.If its a ltd it might have electronic ignition already and could have a bad pickup or coil ,ignition on these is on the right side of the motor not the left.
Glenn

 

its a 1993 model, i pulled a cover and found what looks like a magnetic pickup distributor and it doesnt appear to be adjustable.


yes it cranks over fine just when you get on the gas you get the backfire.

 

Did it sit unused for a long period of time?
Sounds to me like the main fuel jets and/or air bleed jets in the carbs might be cruded up.

 

it was being used right up until it quit running.

 

well it was the plug wires and plugs. after I replaced those today the engine starts right up but after it runs for about 2 or 3 minutes it starts smoking from the left tail pipe. anyone know if this is the result of the carbs being gummed up or what?

 

Could be getting too much gas in one cylinder, or it could be an oil problem. What color is the smoke? You can do a compression test and a leak down test to find out if you have a ring problem etc. Hondas that had the flat engine used to smoke if they were left on the kick stand instead of the center stand for a long time. Oil would get into the cylinders on the low side. Is your engine an inline 4?

 

why yes it is. and its been sitting on the kick stand for about 10 months or so.