Kawasaki Carbs on GS

[notronk]

Chuck, the photo is an old set that came with the bike too. I did a full disassemble and dip with new gaskets and o-rings from Robert Barr.

I'm waiting on new hoses and better clamps with the my order for the new petcock. i ordered a manual petcock so I just want to make sure there's now vacuum leak.

I havent rejet because i had no idea which ones to switch out and with what, to use pods. and because these are Kawi carbs (which took awhile to find that out).

You guys have been awesome so far thanks!!

[chuck hahn]

I dont see any vacuum ports on the pics of the Kawis you posted. the two brass nipples are bowl vents which should have a hose down between the tranny and swing arm out the bottom of the bike.

I dont think youll have any vac leaks from the carbs themselves, but did you put in new intake manifold orings too? I would hook them up and fire it off.

[notronk]

I dont see any vacuum ports on the pics of the Kawis you posted. the two brass nipples are bowl vents which should have a hose down between the tranny and swing arm out the bottom of the bike.

I dont think youll have any vac leaks from the carbs themselves, but did you put in new intake manifold orings too? I would hook them up and fire it off.

yeah, i got new rings in the boots too. so i put it all together and wouldnt start. after way too many tries with starting fluid sprayed in the carbs, finally started, but soon died. and didn't run or sound any better than it did before i did the carb clean.

now i have the petcock off because it was broke anyways, i ordered a new one with hoses and clamps and filter from Dime City yesterday. so i'll try starting it again once that's on.

[chuck hahn]

Where is the big idle knob set at? Did you do a bench sync before installing them?

If the idle knob is set too far in ( opening the slides ) the VMs dont like to start the bike very easily. I set the knob at about 1 3/4 to 2 full turns in JUST AFTER it touches off on the throttle cable linkage. Dont be twisting the throttle and all that either..just choke and hands off the grip.

To bench sync, you have the idle knob completely off and not touching the throttle linkage. Next, remove the top covers and loosen the 8 MM nuts. Now turn the inner adjustment screws till all the slides are all the way down. Then you turn each adjuster till theres maybe a 20/1000 gap between the bottom of the slide and the throat of the carb...make all 4 look the same way.

Now touch off the idle knob and do the turns in. Should be real close and the bike should fire. May have to fiddle with the idle if it doesnt catch rather easily...go in half a turn and try it. If not then go out that 1/2 turn and then another 1/2 turn ( 1 full turn ). Gotta find that sweet spot the carbs like.

[notronk]

so after i set the slides, i turn the idle knob in until it touches, then do the 1-2 turns?

and I should rejet before i finish this and reinstall right?

[chuck hahn]

Yes...bench sync the slides as i outlined, get the stock jets for the GS1000 ( check the ones in there to see what they are first before spending money ), and touch off the idle knob then 1 1/2 to 2 full turns in from just touching. I put a Sharpey mark on the knob for referrence.

[chuck hahn]

Click around here and look at all the tech tutorials, download you a manual, look at the carb rebuild tutorials on the right hand list, basically cruise around and do some reading to familiarise yourself with the bike, how carbs work in theory..etc etc..

Add the link to your favs for quick referrence later..

http://members.dslextreme.com/users/bikecliff/

[notronk]

ok, parts came in. no change. i put it on reserve to pour some fuel in. then tried and it just doesn't sputter or anything. just keeps cranking. I've tried with pods on and off. I can see the fuel flow in to the inlet.

I did notice yesterday when i was looking closely, the fuel didn't seem to go into the actual carb maybe? i drained one of the carbs with its drain screw and nothing came out. this is all gravity fed now instead of vacuum. is there something i'm missing?

also this jet thing; ive not read anywhere about this: do i screw in all the jets all the way except the air/fuel mixture one?

I'm really close to giving up on this bike

[chef1366]

Put the petcock on prime to fill the bowls.
If they are not filling you need a petcock.
Put a funnel on the fuel line and fill the bowls that way and see if it will kick over.

[notronk]

the petcock is brand new. the fuel lines and the filter are as well.

[Chris G]

Does your reserve work? better still either fill your tank or use a remote fuel tank, if this is now gravity fed fuel should be well and truly flowing into the bowels, if you can use some clear fuel hose that way you can see what's going on.

[notronk]

i bought the petcock with reserve. installed it just fine. i have red translucent lines, which is how i could see that the fuel wasnt moving properly.

[gmansyz]

I always thought KZ900/1000's came with 28mm carbs. 24mm for the KZ650. Lower are the fuel inlets. Uppers are the float bowl breathers. Make sure those have hoses on them and are not plugged or kinked.
G

[notronk]

yeah the local shop measured them and looked them up in their books. 26 mm and the books said the 79 KZ900 had them.

I have breather hoses on those and after my filter it goes to a fuel "T" that splits to the two inlets, between 1 & 2 carb and 3 & 4.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Why not put some fuel in the tank !!!!