TOPIC:

HI I have a 1977 Kawasaki 650 that will not start on the button, will start with one kick. Runs excellent. I replaced the points and timed, plugs and wires, new battery. Is this common?
Thanks in advance...Richc

I always kick start mine when it's cold. It never takes more than 2 or 3 kicks even if it's been sitting for a month. I think the starter pulls so much juice that unless the battery is fully charged there's little left for spark. With the engine warmed up, the starter fires it up immediately. I've started mine this way since it was new. I think it saves wear and tear on the starter. Ed

Thanks Ed, sounds like my bike. It starts up after driving awhile....Thanks, I will just do it like taht and enjoy...

No it's not common, it should start easily with the button. Does the engine spin over fast and just won't fire off?

Check the voltage to the coils as you spin it. It may be too low to give an effective spark. You may want to check the connections especially in the right handlebar grip.

Check your wiring diagram here, clean all the connections in the starting circuit.

diagrams.kz650.info/wiring/images/KZ650-B1.jpg

It could be the starter motor is going bad too, or maybe the starter lockout switch is bad, it's on the clutch lever. Is it connected?

In my case the battery sometimes is a bit low because I may go weeks or even a month or more during the winter without running the bike. So when I crank it with the starter after not using it, the battery turns the engine over, and the bike will start, but it's quicker and in my opinion easier on the starter to give it a kick or two. With a fully charged battery, such as after driving the bike regularly, or when the engine is warm it starts right up. For me, kicking it isn't an issue as I cut my teeth riding a BSA for 11 years before buying the Kawasaki so I naturally kickstart by habit. The BSA had no electric starter; hell, with Lucas electrics it BARELY had lights. Ed

Well, you COULD kick it if you want....but I was absolutely amazed at the voltage drops in the circuit to the hot side of the coil primaries!!! That low voltage condition will seriously compromise the bike's ability to start when cold.
The Wired George coil mod solved that problem and now the starter turns over about twice when it's cold and about a half a rev when it's hot...and away she goes. It may be just me but I think it idles nicer, too. It is amazing what full battery voltage at the coil does for these old girls.

Thanks for all the ideas. I WILL check all the connections and wiring to the coil/output.
Where could I find one of them "Wired George coil mod" or will just an bigger aftermarket Kaw. coil do the same thing?
I guess I need to check the coil before I get into finding coil mod's. THANKS TO ALL

FYI. It appears to crank fast enough(as compared to my Harley)just won't start,,, BUT with a freshly charged battery, it does crank faster as starts on the button. I am just not a fan of always charging to start a bike I ride 3-5 times a week...

PS, it is finnally nice enough to ride comfortably in Tinley,,,YAY!

Here is WG's Coil Mod Will only cost you about $20 or so and maybe an hours work. Almost everyone here has done it and it's well worth it!

I did the coil wire mod (which is simply using a relay to power the coils) because I thought I was chasing a carburator issue. I was pleasantly surprise how much better the bike starts and runs. The mod is a good idea because the old wiring harness has lots of connections (places to loose voltage) and the coils are power hungry. I also did the same thing to supply my headlight and it is brighter. I think the stock harness was adequate at best new and 30 years later its substandard. Good luck.

Fugitive

Thanks everyone, I will try to update with progress and photo.

Thanks everyone, I will try to update with progress and photo.

Welcome Richc.
Do get some pictures of your bike up soon.

I'm lucky if I ride my 650 2 or 3 times a week, so my battery gets low on power sometimes, and will not start too easy with the starter.

I charge the battery at least once a month as well, to keep it's power up. If i ride often, there are no problems.

I rarely use the kickstart because the rearsets I've put on my bike get in the way of the kickstarter's travel. The right peg has to be pulled off, just a clip and pull out the pin, but as long as the elec. is working, starting is a push away.

I have done the Coil Mod as well.