650 firing on 3 cylinders
- hardr0ck68
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Who put the what in the where?
- Posts: 796
- Thanks: 3
650 firing on 3 cylinders
21 Nov 2007 21:29
Ok, right now there are 2 main problems with my project...
1) Cylinder #1 header pipe is only getting warm. The plug was wet. All the plugs are black which is odd because I am running pods and 4-1 with stock jets... Oh yeah and I need the choke on for the bike to run. I used carb cleaner to try and find an air leak but did not hear a change ( but it's hard to tell as the idle stumbles).
2) This belongs in electric, but I don't want to post two threads right now... My blinkers don't blink!! They come on and stay lit. Is there a way to test the blinker assembly? I switched the blinker assemblies (the bike has 2, is one for the hazards? they don't work either...) and that did not fix anything. I was trying this without the bike running, but has 12.25v at the battery and 10.5 at the lights...
Any help?
1) Cylinder #1 header pipe is only getting warm. The plug was wet. All the plugs are black which is odd because I am running pods and 4-1 with stock jets... Oh yeah and I need the choke on for the bike to run. I used carb cleaner to try and find an air leak but did not hear a change ( but it's hard to tell as the idle stumbles).
2) This belongs in electric, but I don't want to post two threads right now... My blinkers don't blink!! They come on and stay lit. Is there a way to test the blinker assembly? I switched the blinker assemblies (the bike has 2, is one for the hazards? they don't work either...) and that did not fix anything. I was trying this without the bike running, but has 12.25v at the battery and 10.5 at the lights...
Any help?
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- BSKZ650
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Posts: 2061
- Thanks: 14
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
22 Nov 2007 05:38
are you getting fire to the plug, and do you have new plugs in the bike.
these bikes take a while to warm up also
have you checked all the bulbs to see if they are good
these bikes take a while to warm up also
have you checked all the bulbs to see if they are good
77 kz650, owned for over 25 years
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
77 ltd1000, current rider
76 kz900, just waiting
73 z1,, gonna restore this one
piglet, leggero harley davidson
SR, Ride captian, S.E.Texas Patriot Guard Riders.. AKA KawaBob
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- 650ed
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Posts: 15339
- Thanks: 2833
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
22 Nov 2007 05:43
What spark plugs are you using? I had same problem with #1 plug fouling and others black until I switched to a hotter plug. I now use only ND W22ES-U.
I fixed my blinker problem by replacing the stock flasher unit with a Tridon Stant #552 (2 terminal)variable load unit. Bought it at a local auto parts store and now the blinkers always flash. Ed '77KZ650C1
I fixed my blinker problem by replacing the stock flasher unit with a Tridon Stant #552 (2 terminal)variable load unit. Bought it at a local auto parts store and now the blinkers always flash. Ed '77KZ650C1
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- hardr0ck68
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Who put the what in the where?
- Posts: 796
- Thanks: 3
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
22 Nov 2007 07:37
The plugs are new, they were bought a year ago and this is the first time they have been run.
I will go out later and check to see if there is spark to #1, I think I will also pull the float bowl screw to be sure there is fuel making it to the #1 carb.
the lights are all good, I replaced the stock turn signals with cheapy smaller units. I will try the blinker unit you mentioned, hopefully it will cure my problem.
I will go out later and check to see if there is spark to #1, I think I will also pull the float bowl screw to be sure there is fuel making it to the #1 carb.
the lights are all good, I replaced the stock turn signals with cheapy smaller units. I will try the blinker unit you mentioned, hopefully it will cure my problem.
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- hardr0ck68
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Who put the what in the where?
- Posts: 796
- Thanks: 3
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
28 Feb 2009 15:30
well, over a year later, i started the bike up today and #1 is not firing.
any idea as to what could keep #1 from working?
Thanks
any idea as to what could keep #1 from working?
Thanks
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- N0NB
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Blue handles better
- Posts: 1811
- Thanks: 19
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
28 Feb 2009 16:05
Are the stock plug caps still on it? If you swap caps with another cylinder, say # 2, does the problem follow? The caps can be unscrewed from and screwed back onto the plug wire.
Alternately, are the carbs assembled correctly? I ask because I found a jet needle installed incorrectly, with both plastic spacers under the e-clip after I bought my SR which was causing that cylinder to flood out.
Alternately, are the carbs assembled correctly? I ask because I found a jet needle installed incorrectly, with both plastic spacers under the e-clip after I bought my SR which was causing that cylinder to flood out.
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel
)
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- hardr0ck68
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Who put the what in the where?
- Posts: 796
- Thanks: 3
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
28 Feb 2009 16:23
Well i am hoping it is not the carbs... I will spray fuel into the carb to see if it picks up...it may be the low range jet because when i rev the bike it smooths out (like that cylinder picks up)
the plug wires are new they were installed with my dyna coils... I will check the connections but I am sure I did it right.
valve clearance should be good (i checked it when I put the head back on....)
the plug wires are new they were installed with my dyna coils... I will check the connections but I am sure I did it right.
valve clearance should be good (i checked it when I put the head back on....)
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
-
- Offline
- KZr Legend
-
Registered
- Posts: 18568
- Thanks: 2102
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
28 Feb 2009 20:27 - 28 Feb 2009 20:28
hardr0ck68 wrote:
If not already done, would swap #1/4 plug wires to determine whether misfire stays on #1 or moves to #4.
This could aid diagnosis.
Would also install 4 brand new spark plugs and visually inspect spark quality on each plug before installing it.
If spark is all good with new plugs and misfire continues, would consider possible compression issue, often resolved by valve adjustment.
Good Luck!
well, over a year later, i started the bike up today and #1 is not firing.
any idea as to what could keep #1 from working?
Thanks
If not already done, would swap #1/4 plug wires to determine whether misfire stays on #1 or moves to #4.
This could aid diagnosis.
Would also install 4 brand new spark plugs and visually inspect spark quality on each plug before installing it.
If spark is all good with new plugs and misfire continues, would consider possible compression issue, often resolved by valve adjustment.
Good Luck!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 28 Feb 2009 20:28 by Patton.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- N0NB
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Blue handles better
- Posts: 1811
- Thanks: 19
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
28 Feb 2009 20:32
Yup. Check compression. In some troubleshooting guides that is one of the first steps, but we often (myself included) want to jump elsewhere first.
Nate
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel
)
Nates vintage bike axiom: Riding is the reward for time spent wrenching.
Murphys corollary: Wrenching is the result of time spent riding.
1979 KZ650 (Complete!)
1979 KZ650 SR (Sold!)
1979 KL250 (For sale)
1994 Bayou 400 (four wheel peel

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- hardr0ck68
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Who put the what in the where?
- Posts: 796
- Thanks: 3
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
28 Feb 2009 23:55
well i will check, but my only compression gauge is my thumb.... maybe this is when i pick one of those tools up.




1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- hardr0ck68
-
Topic Author
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- Who put the what in the where?
- Posts: 796
- Thanks: 3
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
01 Mar 2009 11:17
ok sooo
compression seems good to my thumb, on Monday i will get a gauge on Monday and see what it is for sure.
spark is strong when i pulled the plug cap it was sparking through the rubber 2 inches away to the case... i switched plus and plug wires with #4 and nothing changes.
carbs, i pulled them and checked everything, i found a blockage in #1 (the tube that runs next to the main jet..) i cleared it and put it all together, it ran poor so i adjusted the idle... I don't know if #1 started firing for a bit or not, the pipe seemed to get hot but when i pulled the plug wire it ran the same.
I think #1 ran for a minute or two but the carb may have re-plugged up or something. the odd thing is spraying starter fluid into the carb did not change the idle of the bike (spraying it into the other carbs would make the idle drop and stumble.... so i don't know
compression seems good to my thumb, on Monday i will get a gauge on Monday and see what it is for sure.
spark is strong when i pulled the plug cap it was sparking through the rubber 2 inches away to the case... i switched plus and plug wires with #4 and nothing changes.
carbs, i pulled them and checked everything, i found a blockage in #1 (the tube that runs next to the main jet..) i cleared it and put it all together, it ran poor so i adjusted the idle... I don't know if #1 started firing for a bit or not, the pipe seemed to get hot but when i pulled the plug wire it ran the same.
I think #1 ran for a minute or two but the carb may have re-plugged up or something. the odd thing is spraying starter fluid into the carb did not change the idle of the bike (spraying it into the other carbs would make the idle drop and stumble.... so i don't know
1977 kz650 c1
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
bought it because I was told it would never run again...I like to prove people wrong.
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Kawickrice
-
- Offline
- User
-
Registered
- After Monday & Tuesday, even the calendar says WTF
- Posts: 2469
- Thanks: 18
Re: 650 firing on 3 cylinders
01 Mar 2009 12:01
The carb for the #1 cylinder will usually clog from sitting a long time, especially when the bike is stored on the sidestand. If you found trash and varnish in the jets I would clean each carb while they are off the bike. Clean and poke the jets again and then make sure the passages are clear. I would clean the tank and petcock also so you don't get trash in your clean carbs. As mentiond before check your plug cap and wire for that cylinder
73 Kawasaki Z1
07 HD CVO Ultra Classic
82 Suzuki GS 1100
74 Yamaha RD 350 (My two stroke toy)
77 Kawasaki KZ 650B-1 (My putt around bike)
80 Indian Moped (My American Iron)
1
Long Gone
75 Suzuki GT550
74 GT 380
79 RD 400 Daytona Special
72 Honda CL 175
74 Honda QA 50
Tampa FL
07 HD CVO Ultra Classic
82 Suzuki GS 1100
74 Yamaha RD 350 (My two stroke toy)
77 Kawasaki KZ 650B-1 (My putt around bike)
80 Indian Moped (My American Iron)
1
Long Gone
75 Suzuki GT550
74 GT 380
79 RD 400 Daytona Special
72 Honda CL 175
74 Honda QA 50
Tampa FL
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
Moderators: Street Fighter LTD