How to Troubleshoot a Kawasaki KE100

Introduced for the 1976 model year, the Kawasaki KE100 was a dual-sport motorcycle aimed at consumers who enjoyed both on- and off-road riding. This particular model was discontinued in 2001, thus many different versions of the bike exist. Regardless of when your KE100 was produced, you may experience any number of common issues among motorcycles. Troubleshoot your Kawasaki to diagnose the issues, leading to replacement of parts or tuning of certain settings.

Things You'll Need

  • Adjustable wrench
  • Toothbrush
  • Baking soda/water mixture
  • Volt meter
  • Spark plugs
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Instructions

    • 1

      Check your KE100's battery, making sure both the positive and negative terminal cables are appropriately fastened to the battery. If you notice any rust or other corrosive build-up around these terminals, disconnect with the adjustable wrench to clean.

    • 2

      Use the toothbrush with the baking soda and water mixture to scrub the battery, removing any rusted material. Connect the volt meter to ensure your battery is properly charged or working. Replace or charge the battery, if necessary.

    • 3

      Inspect the spark plugs for any damage or corrosion. Grip each of the spark plugs by the boot, twisting counter-clockwise to remove. Replace the spark plugs just as they were removed from the engine. If necessary, check your KE100's manual for precise gap settings.

    • 4

      Connect the battery terminal cables and attempt to turn on your engine. If the engine does not turn on, the alternator is likely the culprit. Check the electrical connections on the alternator, ensuring that the wires are not the problem. Replace the alternator if it has cracks or the unit malfunctions during start-up.

    • 5

      Check the KE100's carburetor for cleanliness, as a dirty carb leads to a clogged fuel system. Unscrew this part carefully and use a carburetor cleaning kit to properly service this area. Reinstall this part with the original hardware.

    • 6

      Inspect the dirt bike's air filter. Just like the carburetor, the KE100's air filter must be clean in order to properly function. Remove this filter if clogged and replace accordingly. The paper-designed factory filters must be completely replaced if too dirty, but aftermarket wire-mesh models can be cleaned and reinstalled.

    • 7

      Start your engine to check on all of the updates you have just made. If you notice backfiring or irregular exhaust flow, check the exhaust manifold and attached pipe for any leaks. Shut off the engine, let it cool and tighten the bolts that hold these parts to the bike.