Help needed! 1978 KZ650

[shiftproduction]

Hello! I aquired a 1978 KZ650 from a friend and it had been hit by a tree in the front end. Thats not the problem though, the tree only took off the light and such. The bike sat and I got it and I took it apart and the pistons were seized in the sleeves. I replaced the whole block and pistons and I hoped it would work. When I try to start it, the starter sounds like its trying to turn the engine, but the battery smokes. The crank made complete rotations when I was replaced the pistons. New battery, selenoid is good, spark plugs, and I put everything together the way it should be. Any ideas? I dont want to part this bike! Its in beautiful condition! I would greatly appreciate any suggestions!!!

[StarGate]

Have you tried removing the plugs and turning the engine over manually?

[quader98]

where in jersey are you ? i might be able to hep ya out

[shiftproduction]

I havent, but I will.

[shiftproduction]

North Jersey. Vernon.

[ArthurGoVroom]

If those have a kickstarter, i would try that to make sure it turns over correctly by hand. If not, turn it by the crank nut inside the ignition cover.

Bad starters can occasionally pull huge current but not actually spin the starter, it depends on the failure mode. Starters can usually be tested by a starter/alternator rebuilding shop, or even advance/autozone if you find someone smart enough to hook up their machine to the starter, since the instruction card will not have motorcycle starters on it.

I laughed when I read "it was hit by a tree". Pesky trees, jumping out and attacking things.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by ArthurGoVroom

I laughed when I read "it was hit by a tree". Pesky trees, jumping out and attacking things.

Me too, it reminded me of a pretty good blond joke I heard.

[kawpaul]

My old 69 ford pu had a dent in the hood at the drivers side front corner. So I knocked the dent out as best I could and did the bondo thing and had it looking good. Some time later I was roofing a house and parked the truck under a tree. While I was on the roof a limb fell and hit right where I had fixed it before and re-dented it. At least it did not land on a different spot and cause another dent.

[shiftproduction]

Haha i laughed when i was told too. It was under a canopy and a tree came down ontop of it and made it collapse. Took off the light and brackets, markers, and front fender. Oh well. Thanks for all your help! Im gonna try these things tonight.

[StarGate]

OK, you told your story so I'll tell what it reminded me of.
This trooper is called out to a bad wreck on the highway. When he gets there he starts walking past all the wrecked cars in this chain reaction pileup, making his way to the front. As he gets there he sees a woman crawling out of an overturned car. He ask her what had happened. She said I was getting something out of my purse and when I looked up there was a tree right in front of me. I swerved left and there was another tree so I swerved back right and there was another tree. I swerved once more and the car flipped and went sliding down the highway on the roof. I just got out as you walked up here. The trooper says lady, I grew up in this area and worked this section of highway for the last 15 years and there haven't been any trees in this area for over 35 years. The woman says officer, I swear i had to dodge more trees every time I turned the wheel. The trooper looks around a few minutes then looks back at the woman's blond hair. Then he leans down and looks into her car for a second. He stands back up shaking his head and said lady, that was your pine scented air freshener.

[kawpaul]

But mine really happened.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by kawpaul

But mine really happened.

Yea but him telling what happened to his bike didn't remind me of what happened to your truck.