smooth running help needed!!!!

hello all..... i just baught '81 kz1000ltd..... bike has been sitting since last fall, so im told.... anyways i just got the bike running, it runs like its only running on 3 cylinders, i did check for spark ( the old fashioned way, grounding plug to head), spark appears to look a lil bit weak, i know they run like this from time to time, as my fathers did, but i really dont feel like changing plugs everytime i wanna ride it... alson the 2 inboard plugs ( #2 & #3) appear to get a lil bit of oil on them I'll assume rings but thats not the question.... 1st i just want to get it running smooth, and no the wires are not mixed up... although i did try switching #1 & 2 wires just to see what would happen made a very slight differance but definately not a good one did the same with 3 & 4 no change, all 4 appear to fire ( all four header tubes get hot..... bike just runs extremely rough

any ideas?

thanks in advance

Ok tinyguy I am the man. My bike is possibly like yours, especially if yours is blacklike mine. Ok enough of that. What to do is make sure that you get new plugs and also make sure that your wires are completely connected to the coils. Also do a resistance check on your secondary resistance across the coils. Oil on the plugs? Get hotter plugs! If you have 7es...whatever change to 8es whatever and check the gaps on your plugs, open to 32 if lower than that, will give you a sure spark. Before all of this check your secondary resistance, make sure all connections and resistance values are good!

bike has new plugs ..... they are ngk 8's ..... what should the resistance be and how exactly do i check it, and if its not within spec then what?
thanks in advance

my last bike was a fuel injected tryumph so im learning as i go on this bike

gimme a minute, checking book

OK, you pull off plug wires off 1 and 4 and test by putting one lead in the plug cap at electrical connection and the next lead in 4 cap the same way and the spec should be 10,400 ohms - 15,600 ohms. Make sure the tester is set on the right resistance value so you don't get a wrong reading. Do the same for 2 and 3.Any questions?

Post edited by: kzwolfsr, at: 2007/03/13 22:33

i would imagine if the values are off..... replace the wires .... or ?

As H1 says on the other post you double posted, disconnect and reconnect your wires on the coils, they could be loose, but first of all check you carburetors, they may need cleaning and synching.

I cleaned my carbs and that took it out of its constant deep sleep

thank you very much guys .... i will be playing with the bike tomorrow .... i'll open up the carbs clean them up and synce them as best i can.... i will check all the connections, i was gtonna check the carbs anyways, but since you brought this up it just confirms my thoughts on a "gummed situation" , plug wires do look newer would you recommend replacing them "just because" or should i eliminate other items first

Naaaa leave the ignition alone for now, just check the resistance and check connections. I wouldn't see the need for replacements. However I would hold up on taking apart those carbs for now, first get the float bowl gaskets and and possibly new o-rings, but especially new gaskets, the old ones will break, so order from z1enterprises, get those like in 2 days in USPS and the work on it. I would also reccomend getting new intake boots also. Will make the job a whole lot easier

There is also a trick to putting thecarbs back on if you have a stock air box

mine

Post edited by: kzwolfsr, at: 2007/03/13 22:55