Starting the restoration.

cossackmannie · Starting the restoration.

Hi all,
Now I've had the KH250 for a couple of weeks, I've had time to look it over and form a bit of a game plan.
It's been sitting in a barn since 1992 and is quite rusty. I'd like to get her running before I strip her down so this is what I've done so far-
Plugs have been cleaned and gapped
Points cleaned and gapped. No evidence of arcing/burning
Carbs have been cleaned out and all parts move freely inside
oil pump seems to be ok
new fuel lines put on as the old ones were rigid
tagged and labeled EVERYTHING!
motor turns freely with good compression on all three pots
electrics seem to all work

After putting a 20:1 mix into the fuel lines and priming the carbs, I turned her over gently. Then I gave her a couple of good kicks. No sparks on all 3 plugs. My next port of call will be cleaning up all the connections to the coils.
If I get no joy up to this point, what's my next move guys?

Cheers
Ian

BIG AL

Put a screwdriver in between the points and see if you get a spark you should get one between plugs as well , if it sparks at the points and not at the plugs, condenser are goosed

cheers
Al

ja-moo

There is usually a reason they were not ridden for so long. Some times you just do more damage trying to start them. If it's a restoration, I personally would just get to taking it apart.

g6mow

Not in this country. The 250's were kids bikes. They were the largest capacity bike you could ride at 17 without passing your test. Most of them were thrashed to within an inch of their lives for a year or so then abandoned for a bigger bike.

ja-moo

cossackmannie

My reasoning for trying to get all systems working is this-

I'd rather try and sort any underlying faults before I start stripping it down. If there are any major problems with the motor or electrics, then I won't be damaging paintwork, chrome etc heaving the motor in and out to sort them.
If it all works before it's stripped down and doesn't when it's all back together, then it's DEFINATELY something I've done and I can retrace my steps to find the fault.

Like you said Ja-Moo, just the way each of us do things.

kas750

cossackmannie

Would that be a Flying Squirrel?

simonh

only one 250 ever had failed to start, and someoneelse built the engine

even the rustiest pieces of crap, ran after a clean up

unusual for lack of 3 sparks, somink easy or major

The Wolfman

I go for the make it work then restorate it approach too, my H2 had stood forlorn in a woodshed for ten years and just cleaning the carbs provided a few quick rides before the teardown.

A good place to check with a meter or bulb for a non sparker is at the yellow connectors under the tank (halfway point), should be 12v there.

12v means your looking at points or coils for your problem, and
no 12v means your looking at ignition switch and kill switch.

By far the most likely culprit is a fusty connector or switch.

180kid

at least strip it to clean it out in there first, just take the bottom case off, possibly big lump of broke metal in there,

fit new seals etc, get the stuck together clutch out, check your oilways and oil feed, clean the 2t tank gauze, needs prepping of some sort prior to just cranking it over to see if it runs,..or as Simon says, you might get lucky,..

kas750

The Wolfman

cossackmannie

As I've been busy enjoying the summer(?) on the Z750, I'm now looking at starting the 250B4 resto.
After a long thinking session, I went to the lads at Breaking Point in Aberdeen to see what they have. They have some 250 exhausts but all were either dented, scraped or bereft of chrome. There was plenty odds and ends in 3 boxes on the shelves consisting of clocks,some electrical components and levers/footrests etc. I managed to get a kickstart lever, rear brake lever and gear lever in very good nick for £20.
While trawling through the bikes for breaking, I found an RGV250L that I can have for £250 complete. As I have been quoted over £250 to get exchange fork stanchions and new rims and spokes, I had an idea.
I was thinking along the lines of transplanting the front and rear ends from the RGV onto the KH. As I don't want it too radical looking, I'd like to use the RGV swingarm(straight-not the banana type) in a twin shock set up by welding lower shock mounts onto it. This would add about 2-3 inches to the wheelbase which I don't think would be a problem. My only real concerns are the chain run and ground clearance when I fit a set of Higgspeeds. The front end will pretty much sort itself out.
As for the remnants of the RGV, I can Ebay the motor(runner), fairing panels, frame inc V5,electrics etc to recoup some of the outlay.
Apart from the new front and rear ends and pipes, everything else will be as original.

Any input or advice from you guys will be appreciated

Cheers

Ian

The Wolfman

Go for it CM..

malc87

just give it to someone else and pay themto do it

works for me

ringadingdingdingdingding

'A fool and his money are soon parted'

cossackmannie

Funnily enough, the money played a big part in my decision to not restore to standard. I didn't want to spend thousands on a bike that I would be sh1t scared of dropping. Going along this route is going to cost a lot less than a nut and bolt original restoration which means I'll have more to spend on the motor and pipes.

mark

bubba2

Just a thought have you put a battery on it !!

scouse

180kid

cossackmannie