[mggraz]

I bought and rebuilt a 1995 Kawasaki zx750 (17,500 miles). New rings, head redone, carbs cleaned and adjusted. The bike has a new gas tank, pump, fuel lines and petcock rebuilt. The bike ran good for about 300 miles but now the spark plugs fire and gas flows freely to the carbs but the bike shows no sign of life other than the starter turning. I have even sprayed starter fluid into the intake and don't even get a backfire. As far as I know if the engine has fuel, compression and spark, it should be running. Could it be a timing issue? Does anyone want to buy a really nice Ninja that doesn't run?

Thanks for your help.

Mg

 

[NCDave]

Check the compression in the cylinders.

 

[WeBeToyz]

+1 ^^ - this would be the place to start.

 

[mggraz]

Thanks guys. Actually the compression was low on number 3 before the rebuild. However, after the ring change and head rebuild all cylinders were good. This is really strange because you would think by spraying in starter fluid I would get some kind firing. I mean that stuff ignites if you even look at it funny.

Mg

 

[WeBeToyz]

Well...since you say you have compression, fuel, & spark...that (I would think) would rule out the CDI unit and coils.

It sure sounds like it wants to be something electrical. I'd remove the kill switch and spray contact cleaner in there and make sure it's clean or there are no shorts in the system. I'd check the connections to the ignition switch as well, just for kicks, but if you're getting spark it I would think these wouldn't be the culprits either.

The ignition timing from the factory isn't adjustable, although there are aftermarket ones available that are, such as from Factory Pro. Might be worth the time to pull the cover & have a look-see. Maybe something came loose. Quick & easy to eliminate it if not.

Be interesting to know what the problem is.

 

[mggraz]

I agree on something electrical. Funny story (actually not that funny): A guy buys the bike off me for $3000, it starts and runs perfect until he gets 75% of the way home. He says he's on the highway and it just stops running. No sputtering, coughing, nothing just dead. Roadside assistants comes and fills the tank that is allready half full. No use the starter works but the engine is dead. He has it towed back to my house and since he didn't even make it home, I give him his money back (I'm a nice guy or a real sap). I charge the battery and get it get it started a couple days later and it seems to run fine. About a week later I try again and it's been dead ever since. So now I have a title I need to get reissued because his name is writen on it, a flat front tire because the tow company knocked the valve stem off and a dead bike. Anybody interested, it looks nice.

Mg

 

[antiq]

Oh it is a pretty bike! Are you certain you have spark? Have you checked to see if the rotor has come loose in the electronic ignition module. If you do have some spark the rotor could be loose or the whole plate could be loose. I'd check that and all the plug wires for consistant spark.