alex15969 Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 I was riding my 1981 Kawasaki KH 125 the other day and it started running very roughly, (kind of like it does when I am on a high gear at a low speed). Then the engine cut off, and I havnt been able to start it since. Thanks in advance,Alex. Quote
GazW Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 for future reference mate if you have issues with your bike post them in the pitstop thread. Did you get the charging system sorted? If you unscrew your spark plug connect it to the HT lead and hold the end against your cylinder head and turn the bike over with the kickstart and ignition on do you get a spark?If not then remove the spark plug, unscrew the spark plug cap (it screws into the core of the HT lead) and try again with the bare lead, if you have a spark there, then try trimming a CM off the lead, reassemble, ensuring to screw the cap straight into the core of the lead. Try again, if the bare lead works but this doesn't then get a new spark plug + cap. If the bare lead doesn't work it could be ignition timing (points) or the coil.If the spark plug sparks to begin with then try stripping and cleaning the carb, its just trial and error, ticking things off the list trying the most simple first.... Quote
alex15969 Posted October 7, 2011 Author Posted October 7, 2011 Not sure about the charging, I bought a new battery and am now charging it overnight. that sentance about the spark plug made no sense to me, what it a HT lead? im guessing you mean high tension? Not sure what the cylinder head is.turn the bike over with the kickstart; what does that mean? Quote
GazW Posted October 7, 2011 Posted October 7, 2011 The lead that comes from under your tank to the spark plug, it is high tension yes, the tension relates to voltage in this case. The part of your engine that has fins on, where the spark plug is situated contains your cylinder. Its irrelevent and bad explanation on my part. Just unscrew the spark plug. Put it back on the lead you would have pulled off it to be able to get a spanner on it, then with a pair of pliers hold the end of the spark plug against one of the fins. Then manually push down on the kickstart with your hand whilest holding the plug against the bare metal. You should see a healthy blue spark on the end of the spark plug. Your ignition has to be on. You will find it much easier to push the kickstart as the spark plug wont be inserted into the engine so there wont be any back pressure. Quote
alex15969 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Posted October 8, 2011 How would I go about removing the spark plug I have been trying this morning and it wouldnt budge. Quote
Tango Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 Don't try to force the plug or you could snap it in the head. Have you put the new battery in? Basically if your battery is flat and you've got no output from the alternator then the bike won't start. I'm suspecting that your alternator or Rectifier/regulator is shot. If you put a fully charged battery in and the bike then starts but the battery runs down and you have problems with the lights and then stalling you need to get the charging circuit investigated. Quote
alex15969 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Posted October 8, 2011 Put a new fully charged battery in and it still wont start. Could the spark plug be wet for about 3 or 4 days without drying? Im getting a spark plug socket and am going to take it out later today. Quote
Tango Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 Yeah...the plug could be fouled. Maybe try a new one? Quote
GazW Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 See if you can get a haynes manual for it. They explain things pretty well, the process I described will check if you have a spark, if you do you can eliminate that. If you don't but get one from the bare lead then you know that the problem is after the lead ie; plug/cap. All about trial and error. With it being such an old bike I would buy a manual anyway and change the points and reset the timing, check the valve clearences, change the oil + filter, strip and clean the carb and so on. Not really hard jobs, just labour intensive thats why you pay so much at a garage. Not only will it boost your mechanical confidence but it will give you a greater understanding of how your bike works. Even if you don't do anything other than read the manual it will help you understand how the engine works, which will help you try and pinpoint where things have gone wrong in future. I would say that all three are linked. The battery, indicators, and not starting makes me think its something electrical. If you start at the plug and check everything leading back to the alternator. You will find the problem somewhere... Quote
alex15969 Posted October 8, 2011 Author Posted October 8, 2011 After putting the new battery in everything works fine, indicators included. But it still wont start. Quote
GazW Posted October 8, 2011 Posted October 8, 2011 thats because your battery is fully charged, and your electrics work off this. Your battery does nothing to your engine, it is there for your lights + indicators. Your engine generates its own source of electricity for the spark plug by way of the alternator/magneto/points. Hence why your battery died, something on your bike has failed and it isn't charging the battery. Where are you located? You either need someone to help/show you or you need a mechanic, or a manual. Have you tried removing the sparkplug and checking for a spark? Quote
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