TOPIC:

my bike (1977 kz650c) is now having starting issues. I get lights when key is on but no e-start. I have bypassed the kill switch by connecting the two wires together but the problem is still there. any help?

Is the starter cranking the engine over properly?

If your not getting ANYTHING when you push the button, pull up the tank and look for two black wires. One will have a male connector, one a female connector, plug the two together. On my KZ650, the wire had a nasty habit of disconnecting itself every few weeks.

I get nothing when I try to start it w/ the electric start.

mr anderson wrote:

I get nothing when I try to start it w/ the electric start.

Fuses okay?

Good Luck!

Those are the wires from the clutch safety right? I checked those and they are still good. fuses (the ones I know about on the right side under the panel) all look ok.

This problem can be a bunch of different things. First, does the starter itself still work. You can test by bridging the two big poles on the starter solenoid with a heavy (10-12 ga) piece of wire. The one pole on your solenoid has the battery cable connected and the other the cable to the starter which grounds through its case. Just touch the wire to both big terminals.

IF the starter turns over when you do this, the problem is the trigger to the solenoid. The solenoid is a relay that closes when voltage is applied. This happens when you push the starter button which closes a circuit carrying this voltage. While the kill switch is in line with this voltage, the start button is as well. Power comes via the main fuse to the large WHITE wire going to the ignition switch and out a wire to the kill switch (through a connector) and out the kill switch to the start button. Out the start button to another connector via a BLACK wire to the solenoid. Start tracing voltage and undoing connectors and checking for voltage on the pin associated with this voltage. The problem most likely is the start button itself though... usually gets oxidized and you stop making contact on the plate back of the button. The button contact and place can be cleaned with an emery board but don't scratch too much on the small plate as you will remove the conductive surface.

Earlier I was talking about the solenoid wire wired george mentioned. The annoying thing with these KZ's is that the stock wiring is mostly male and female connections. And they can pull apart occasionally.

well, Ive narrowed it down somewhere from the junction under the tank to the start switch. I would move the wires in this area and got it to turn over. probably a bad connection or bare wire im guessing. I will let you all know. should have it back together tommorow.

Intermittent electrical connections..... the curse of aging electrical wiring.

ITS ALIVEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!!!!!
I found the problem yesterday. My brother came into town early and I wanted to have it running before he got here. He owns a 1972 cb 350 and I wanted him to feel the "thunder"
of a kz! so I worked on it while he was chating with me in the garage.

Anyway, the previous owner had done some re wiring (if you can call it that) and made the wiring harness to tight. by turning the handle bars to the right it would strech the harness and his mickey mouse connections couldnt take it so they came appart. upon discovering this I was able to fix other problems too due to bad wiring.
If anything I learned more about how the bike works. thanks for all your help. kz's forever!