Puffing from carbs but compression seems okay

I am rotating the engine counter clockwise.

I checked the points with an ohm meter and the resistance spiked right at the F mark. I will check the gap to make sure but the spark plugs seem to have a good spark.

I am also thinking about putting the crank at the " mark and adjusting the valves there. The piston shouldn't be at TDC there but since it is it seems like that would be the right palce to adjust at.

Why counter clockwise? Engine runs clockwise.

The manual I have says to turn it counter clockwise. When I hit the starter the crankbolt on the right side of the bike spins counter clockwise.

Warren, all Kawasaki twins are running counter clockwise.

Warren3200gt wrote: Why counter clockwise? Engine runs clockwise.

I am pretty sure that all the KZ twins rotate ccw when viewed from the ignition side. Yes, that is opposite of the four cylinder engines.

Scirocco wrote: Warren, all Kawasaki twins are running counter clockwise.

Thats just weird, why would khi do that?

The BSA twins also ran ccw aka backwards (i.e., crankshaft rotation being opposite that of wheels when bike is rolling forward).
Yet Triump's ran cw (I think).
Go Figure.

Kevin Cameron explains (scroll down to the video and direction of crankshaft revolution begins at about 2:20 minutes into the video).
www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/whic...engine-rotate.26851/

I found the entire video to be very informative. Especially about the big name manufactures now moving toward ccw crankshaft rotation.

One stated advantage is creation of an opposing gyroscopic force to offset the gyroscopic force of forward turning wheels, which makes for better cornering dynamics.

Good Fortune!

Surely the same argument would hold true for 4 cyyinders though? But they are all cw.
Does anyone one know if the new khi twins are ccw?

So I checked the points gap and it was small so I adjusted it to .35mm.

I also advanced the timing as far as it could go (rotated the plate clockwise). The bike is firing fairly consistently but now the starter clutch is slipping so much it wont sustain.

Looks like thats the next step!

KZOO440 wrote: ...................but now the starter clutch is slipping so much it wont sustain..........

What motor oil are you using? Ed

Alright, life has been super busy but I finally have time to spend on the bike and updating this very old topic.

The cause of the problem was the pin on the backside of the timing plate that holds it in place. I replaced the pin and it fired right up! Having it broken and loose like that explains why my TDC mark was not lining up with the pistons.

When I was first having the problem I found a post that had a picture of the pin and how to get to it but I cannot find it now.

Hope this helps someone else in the future. thanks to everyone who chimed in!