Hi, all. I found this site when I was interested in getting a KLX or KLR as my first bike. That didn't end up happening, but I did get an '86 en454 Ltd a few months ago to cut my teeth on, which I have been enjoying thoroughly. But the first problem just rolled around, so here I am making my first post.

I let her sit for two weeks (maybe three) while I was away on a road trip in my car and when I came back she wouldn't start. It won't turn over at all -- as if I'm not pushing the start button in the slightest.

The lights work just fine, as does the horn. The battery is about two months old. The starter gave no signs of dying -- she would start right up without fail every time until I came back to her after my trip.

I tried bump starting her without success as I had no one to push me and the brakes were a bit rusty from sitting for so long (and apparently it rained a lot), but I did hear the engine trying to turn over a bit when I would let out the clutch, only to die a second later.

So, now my questions. I am a bit of a n00b when it comes to bikes, although I have worked on cars for a number of years (mostly Hondas).

1) What is this "IC Ignitor" flopped on top of my battery? Is this related? Is this the bike version of the starter or something?

2) If that's not the starter, would anyone besides my sketchy friends recommend tracing the wire and banging on the starter with a wrench while I push the button? Is that sort of a one-time fix or what?

3) Where do people with older Kawasakis buy their parts from? Any site recommendations?

Thanks in advance for any help you have to offer.

 

hmm, back to basics...... Welcome to KF

Place your battery on you trickle charger and make sure that all connections are tight and clean. Normally a clean connection and a good battery will survive more than just a few days of sit time.

You mentioned a lot of rain.....blow out the ignition switch and possible exposed connectors (bar switches) with air or contact cleaner. A connection issue may be your only issue. Good luck

 

Thanks, I'll add that to the list of quick things to do when it stops raining again before I buy any new parts.

 

One more thing. Bikes are more susceptable to gas additive evaporation than cars. The less cylinders the more likely. If my KLX650 sits for more than 5 days I have to drain the carburetor or it will likely not start. It has proven true over the years for a number of us big single riders, regardless of make, in my area. My Zephyr will have issues after about a month. It's just almost automatic to drain carbs.

The reason is the carb is so vented, the gas quantity is so small, and the surface area relatively large that the aeromatic additives evaporate off. After a few weeks you can't light the stuff I drained from the carb with a match... I've tried. That and the ignition system in a bike - especially older bikes - isn't that electrically "hot".

The in-line fours seem least susceptable to the weak gas, singles the most. Probably tied to cranking speed, the more cylinders the easier and faster they spin. With the weakened gas from the carb my single will crank until the battery is low, with fresh from the tank it barely turns over once and hits. That's my experience in 12 years and 44,000+ miles with the KLX. Like I say, the four is more tolerant. Two weeks or so it starts getting snotty.

Drain your carbs, it won't be the full answer, but it will help make firing the bike up easier. There should be drain screws and maybe lines to route it under the bike, otherwise put a rag under the carbs to catch the gas. If you have a vacuum petcock after draining the carbs put it on PRIME to fill the carbs again. Be sure to switch back to ON after doing so... I don't know if the prime setting runs off the short pickup tube, but you'd sure hate to run out of gas and already used the reserve by mistake.

I might also mention we found the same experience with the hundreds of bikes and ATVs sold through a dealership where I worked full and part time up until 2006. We virtually always drained every ATV carb before even trying to start them and most motorcycles too. Draining gas and explaining why is a whole lot less embarrassing than running down the battery and then "making excuses" when doing what we should have done in the first place. In the early 80s, needless to say, the mechanics would get a bit miffed when we'd push a 4 cylinder bike to the back with 4 fouled plugs due to the junk gas. They'd have to pull the plugs and fire up the bike for us. Then they explained the whole "drain the float bowls" thing to us and we took a whole lot less bikes back there to them. I think they even bought the owner his own 12" thin blade Snap On screwdriver, he wasn't the most mechanically adept person in the world and his collection of "tools" in his desk drawer proved it.

 

Thanks for the detailed post. I'll be sure to do that if I can get things turning and not firing. Unfortunately, I'm not even to that stage yet. I get no action when I push the start button whatsoever.

 

If you wanted a bike that was hard to start you should have bought a KLX hahahahahahahahahahah?

 

Updates:

Got the bike turning over by using a screwdriver to ground the starter. It won't start, but it turns over just fine.

Apparently, I'm not getting any spark (this conclusion from my friend who tried the screwdriver trick), although I think it might just be that we're dealing with weak gas after all this time like klx678 suggested. So I'm going to drain the carbs and try again.

My starter button doesn't seem to be working. I'm going to get a electrical tester tomorrow and see if there's any faults in the connections or anything.

Questions:

I couldn't find any fuses besides the main one attached to the ignitor. Where are they on this bike? I am assuming they exist, of course...

Anyone know where I can download a good manual for it?

 

.Right side cover generally

 

I thought I looked under both side covers but will have to check again. Thanks.

I hope I can get her running again tomorrow. I want to ride like nobody's business.

 

Could anyone point me towards a good place to download service manuals?