allright y'all..I got a couple of questions...I was coming home today and saw an old kawi 550 on the road...yep, it followed me home...Wasnt sure if it would run when I bought it but I figured I was up for a project...I have a couple of questions: First off, anyone know the correct plug gapping, I THINK the ski is an 85/86...Second, I went to wally world and bought a new battery..hooked it up, and the thing cranks over, but very SLOOOOWWWWWW....almost like it would if the batt was dead. I pulled the plugs, hit the starter and it cranks at the normal rate..This thing wants to start, but just wont catch yet..I have to check for spark tomorrow, but I wanted to get the plugs gapped correctly..This thing is a far cry from my 97 GP12, so any help would be great..Thanks, S

come on everyone..I got em gapped, any ideas on the cranking?

Checked the compression ???
Maybe it has been bumped up and the starter is having a hard time ?

Just a thought.

boris...thought of that..ordered a compresson guage a couple of days ago..It appears to have a stock head, although the girl I bought it from said it had an aftermarket head at one time..but was replaced with a stocker when the top end was done...if the starter cant handle the boosted PSI, then what? Come on guys, get me back on the water..even though Im currently sporting kawi green...

PS--dont worry, 1300 after this season!!!

alright guys, heres the latest...I pulled and dremeled all the electrical/batt connections. Pulling 12+V at the batt, but when I test at the positive connection at the starter I only get 6+V....If I disconnect the starter and recheck that + connect and get 12V, does that mean a bad starter?

You either have a bad starter ( most likely) or low compression. I had a 550 do the smae thing ended up being a bad starter. the armature was all burned up inside. it would spin fine with no plugs in but if I put a finger over the plug hole and pressed down it would literally stop the motor from cranking
Rob

Thanks Rob..thats EXACTLY what mine does...You know of anyone that has an old good cond. starter? THere are a couple on ebay right now, but I'd rather not wait out a week if I dont have too...