1966 kawasaki samurai

i know you guys are pretty much xj people but i wanna get this kawaski running and could really use any help i can get.
-no spark
-tail light works
-backlight works
-no working headlight
if you can help me at all it'd be much appreciated lol cause i cant find jack about this bike at all



picture for those who want one

 

Wow, looks like a project but would be a cool grocrey getter once done !

Evaporust, check it out

 

actually. theres very minimal rust. absolutely none in the tank or anywhere else on the bike

 

Pass. Pegs, oil tank, pipes, triple tree? Or is that all just dirt?

 

it's actually the foam from the seat lol, i tried air hosing it down real fast one day and well after a bike sits in my grandmas garage for who knows how long the foams tends to be in particles. bout the only rust ive seen on it is the left side exhaust pipe flaking away, a little on the rear fender, and a little on the rims

 

Most likely you are looking at a 6V magneto ignition, so this spark be simple. Open the engine cover on the left side to expose the magneto, behind which is the contact breaker (some people call them points). Clean and set the gap correctly, for a simple measurement you can use a piece of cardboard cut from a cereal or cigarette box as a feeler gauge. If that doesn't work, check the wiring at the kill switch (if there is one) and the key switch. If nothing still, check the coil, but I don't have the specs on that.
Does the engine turn over? If so, you are golden.
Does it have compression?
Behind the right side engine cover is the carb, put it through the Church of Clean.

Once you get it running you will likely have to replace the crank seals. This is not a big deal, but you will need a magneto puller as magnetos are stubborn to remove and can easily be damaged without the right tools. Oh yeah, and they are expensive to replace.

Anyway, very simple rotary valve two stroke engine, looks similar to the G5/KE100 engine they made for decades. Good luck!

 

imo use get a hold of a service manual and follow the same format we use for the xj's. like Shank said providing viable compression numbers start the orientation, tear down, labeling, familiarization, cleaning and reassembling phases. again, follow the xj format and completely rebuild a section as best you can (process of elimination). take lots of pics and start a service log. brakes and the sort can wait. without a viable plant it'll remain what it already is...a cool project. hope this helps.

p.s. - Google 1966 kawi sam 250.

 

@shankhank yes shank it has compression and turns over. is a kick start so. ill have a look at the magneto. and i think there are carbs on both sides of the engine. ill post back after i get out there to look at it and give the results


i dont want to get far into it. my brother inherited it and well he doesnt have much motive to work on it so what im doing it atleast getting a little in where i can get the bike running so he has a little more incentive to work on it. ive googled for some helpful hints and found someone restoring it that had helped me with a couple questions i had about it.

 

There are two mikuni carbs on both sides of the crank.

 

ok so i got out there. couldnt find the magneto but i did get spark after learning the battery i was using before didnt have enough juice to kick the spark. its weak but there and i got it to turn over a little. but definitely needs carbs cleaned and etc

 

I had one many years ago. They are virtually a race bike. Thier main problem is the rotary valves for the inlet, they brake around the centre axle so not metering the fuel.
My only other gripe with the machine was it went a little too hard for my liking. Admittedly I had modified it a bit - it would lift the front wheel off the ground without a lot of hesitation - which I found unsettling.
I sold it and two weeks later a fellow lost both legs on it.. My advice be careful of it - they really go

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1985 xj f (only new dash)

 

That's a cool MC, but I NEEED to see that bicycle peeking out from behind and it's story!

 

oh so in other words you're requesting a picture? i mean if you really want one i could go get it

 

Yep, a pic and what it is.

 

its a 68 Sears Screamer, butterfly handlebars, sissy bar, 5 speed shifter.

 

Both those bikes are super cool

 

That bike is a trip.

Super cool.

How does the front suspension work?

 

basically those coils are round up and it just attaches to them. kinda like a springer front end. its super easy to wheelie. i used to ride it around when i was younger

 

Forget the bike, I wanna know about the right angle grinder in the background! Just kidding, love those old sears bikes. I had one with standard ape hangers and a tiny little mechanical speedo mounted on the top bar.

 

Your gramps was the Man. 8)