My motorcycle won't start!!?

Question

my bike: 1981 Kawasaki KZ750

Yesterday I just got finished ripping the engine apart and installing new gaskets and seals. I put it all back together to a "T" as described by the manual.

Now when I try to start it all I get in a CLICK....

I'm charging my battery right now but I don't think that is going to do anything.

any suggestions?

Answer 1

Ah the 1981 KZ750, My first motorcycle! It sounds like it's either a dead battery or loose battery connection. Make sure the connection is really good. I wish I never sold mine. I had the 4 cylinder model with the 2 piece seat. :(

Answer 2

Wire brush your battery connections. they can look clean but have enough deposits to restrict electrical flow.

Answer 3

block up bike and pull out all plugs put it in high gear and grab hole rear tire this will insure engine is turning over and you dont have something locked up If all seems well go back to basics ensure all wireing is correct you could allso by pass and hot wire bike power to coil { postive side and short out starter see if fires if not keep in mind you need 12 volts min. and compression and fuel in order to run recheck all ya done valve setting etc if above doesnt help you good luckalso need spark

Answer 4

well a click would be a sign of dead battery or loose wire.... if that didnt do it then redo what you done im sure you miss something

Answer 5

Remove the cover over the alternator and try to turn the engine with a socket spanner. You should be able to turn it all the way round. If it won't turn, or you feel something touching, pull it apart again and see what you did wrong. If you had the cams out, you may have the timing marks wrong.

Answer 6

You are sure you lined up the gears, cams, and all that sort of thing, right? So it is correctly timed? So it's just a matter of getting it to crank over and join up a fuel supply with a spark, in the presence of air. So start by checking each delivery system, if you are getting a spark, then go on to fuel and air.  

If you are not getting sparks, keep working until you do. I'd go with charging the battery too, first. It's cheap, costs nothing. and it takes a good charge to turn the motor over.

You have checked the kill switch, haven't you?

and you tried to start it in neutral, of course.

And you put up the kickstand before you tried it so, unless those items are defective, it SHOULD start.

(The kill switch is obvious, and the starter interlock with the kickstand is well known, but maybe you have some other interlock?)