1998 Kawasaki Lakota 300 No spark, no combustion

[Daleon]

I recently was gifted a 1998 Lakota 300 and it was modified to start only by electric start. ( Removed the pull start) So I put together all the parts he was able to find and I believe it's back together like it's supposed to be but when I start it via electric start, it turns over but I do not hear the sound a proper combustion sound makes. Furthermore, I did all the spark tests and it's showing none whatsoever. 

 I installed a new starter and I believe I installed it correctly. Could I have accidentally thrown the timing off? I lined up the timing marks but the top mark will NOT line up correctly.

[Mech]

Well you need spark, so you'd better tell what spark tests you did. There must be one you missed. Did you follow what the service manual recommends ?

The valve timing could and by the sound of it, is, out. but that won't stop the spark. You'd better explain about that too.. How far out ? Does it have compression ?

[Gwbarm]

Try a new spark plug and check ignition wiring connections. and maybe do a compressionn test. Could be out of time but should still spark.

[Daleon]

On 11/15/2024 at 10:59 AM, Daleon said:

I recently was gifted a 1998 Lakota 300 and it was modified to start only by electric start. ( Removed the pull start) So I put together all the parts he was able to find and I believe it's back together like it's supposed to be but when I start it via electric start, it turns over but I do not hear the sound a proper combustion sound makes. Furthermore, I did all the spark tests and it's showing none whatsoever. 

 I installed a new starter and I believe I installed it correctly. Could I have accidentally thrown the timing off? I lined up the timing marks but the top mark will NOT line up correctly.

Good morning.  For sure there is no compression. I know for sure timing is off. I thought maybe that was the reason the spark was a no show. After work I will take the advise given and hopefully have spark. 

 Is there a way to use the multimeter to test the cdi box? I watched way to many videos and confused myself. 

[Gwbarm]

No compression i would be looking at the timing and valves 

[Mech]

So just to clarify.. You got the bike in pieces, and assembled the engine, right ?

So the valve timing might be out, but at this stage we don't have any reason to suspect any prior faults, such as a broken key in the flywheel, it should just need the cam timing redone..

So.. tell me how far out the cam timing is. If it's only out by a half tooth then you should still have reasonable compression.. Are you sure the valve clearances are right, and, is there any sound of air escaping out the inlet or exhaust when you are cranking it over ?

Tell me what tests you have done on the ignition and I/we might be able to suggest what you've missed.

Some makes and models of cdi can be checked using an ohm gauge, others not. If you read the service manual it will tell you whether it can be done, and how, for that bike. All of them say to check the resistance of the two windings that run the cdi, and I always suggest people actually check there is some output from the two windings because even though the resistances may be correct, if the timing tag has dropped off the flywheel, or the magnets have flakes of steel stuck to them, the windings may not produce any voltage.