Total Motorcycle Community Forums

I had pretty much the same thing when I bought my kz650. After a new battery, and plugs, no problem.

Remember, lugging around can foul plugs! I learned this the hard way, and the previous owner had the wrong heat range in two cylinders to try and counteract bad carb synch (oh brother!).

You can check your charging system after they get it running for you by putting a multimeter on the battery when it's running. You'll see it doesn't charge much probably below 3500 rpm. Even then, it's not a huge charge...probably no more than 14.2 volts, which will pretty much be a maintenance charge. Check you battery by taking a voltage reading as you push the starter button. It shouldn't drop below 10 volts, or you need a charge on the battery. Good luck...Oh how was it running before this?

Had some startup problems before this, due to the airboxes not being fully sealed against... something. The guy at the shop said they were just pushed up against the seal, not actually joined.

That, and bad plugs, kept the thing from starting after I got it. Killed the battery trying, actually, so I bought a charger first thing. When that didn't get results, into the shop she went. Out of the shop, she ran great for about 18 miles, around the block, through the parking lot type newbie stuff (20-30, sometimes 40mph, usually 2-3k rpm, sometimes up to 4), until I was in the parking lot, in motion, and everything just shut off, just like I'd hit the engine kill switch.

Hoping to be back in the saddle Tuesday, after I get it back tomorrow. Will definitely keep you guys posted.

Still no joy...

Turns out the voltage regulator is shot, so it'll be this weekend before I can go riding again. Sigh.

At any rate, a lot of rough spots getting to that "first ride" point, and still a lot of rough spots to deal with, but its got me, there's no going back now.

And hey, my MSF packet arrived in the mail today - I'm up for April 15-17! Nifty!