I have a 1982 kawasaki 1000 with 15000 miles and new carb kits, how do I check timing and set it?

Question

The bike doesn't have the power it should have and after riding it a while will barely turn over because its hot, not to mention tough on gas mileage.

Answer 1

it's got electronic ignition, and the chances are that it didn't move, check your plugs after getting on it hard then shutting key off and coast to a stop, this will tell the story, if plugs are light tan or white, you need to put bigger main jets if they are black, smaller. if it was running good I would tell you to just go to a colder spark plug, but sounds like somebody screwed the pooch on the carb kit.

Answer 2

Well, I doubt it is timing, but may be a stuck advancer. If I remember correctly. it has electronic ignition, and a mechanical advance. Remove the cover on the right side, at the end of the crankshaft. You will see two black modules, and a rotor. There should be a hole in the plate the modules are mounted on, right above the rotor. Look through this hole, see if there are springs and weights visible. You may need to turn the engine over a bit to see this. If they are visible, you have a mechanical advance. Take hold of the rotor, see if you can turn it a few degrees clockwise, and that it returns when you release it. If it does, it should be OK, if not, you must remove it, and set it lubed so that it is free moving on the shaft. Mark the plate, so that you can reinstall it in exactly the same position, and then remove it. Remove the bolt in the center of the rotor. Notice there is a key on the back of the rotor, so it will go back in the same place. Carefully work the rotor loose on the shaft, you should remove the springs first. Get ther rotor loose, then lube it with some graphite lube. Reinstalleveryting,and you are good to go.

If there are no springs, it is an electronic advance, use a timing light and check if the ignition does advance. If so, of course, you have other problems. On the advance plater are timing marks, and a base mark on the housing, right over the crankshaft. On the platr, will be 3 marks, two close together, and one about 32 degrees further around. Looking at the plate, with the two close together marks at the top, the left mark is TDC, the mark a few degrees to the right is idle firing mark, and the one 30+ degrees to the right is high speed advance. Set the timing at idle, so mark #2 is right under the reference mark on the housing, then rev the engine to about 4-5000, the 3rd mark should align with the housing mark.

If does not work out for you, you are free to E-mail me with questions.

Tomcotexas

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Answer 3

Contact me with yor email address so I can forward a carb trouble shooting guide.
That will help you rule out jetting problems.
Check the cyl compression - could need a top end rebuild.
Adjust the valves - they could be tight causing them to leak.