Are these carbs worth looking at to buy?

[Guest]

Saw this on my local craigslist. This was the only picture. I don't know this style of carb, so I can't id them.
Are these what they call flatsides?....and if so, aren't these pretty desireable?
If they are, I may buy to recondition and flip or just re sell outright. Thoughts?

[chuck hahn]

If they are pumpers they are originally from a Kawasaki..most likely a KZ 1000. I do believe they will fit up to a 78 /79 GS 1000 head though. others will be along to add what bikes head spacing they might fit on. In any case 95 bucks is a deal and they will resell for that and then some if you grab them. Gauges and fittings included...I would hit it.

[tkent02]

Go get them. If they are smoothbores they are worth a lot, if they are regular VMs with accelerator pumps they are worth something too unless they have problems like stripped threads or something. At least go look.

[loud et]

I talked to the guy. He said they have accelerator pumps on the bottom. Does that mean they are regualr VM's?

How will I know the difference if I go look at them? Between Vms and smoothbores?
I only know CV carbs.

[Sandy]

Probably regular Kawasaki VMs but they are probably 28mm vs our 26mm. Still a honking good deal and like Chuck said I think they should fit a GS.

[azr]

To tell if they are 29mm smoothbores (the very much sought after ones) they'll have a large drain plug in he centre of the float bowl, the others all have their drain plug on the side of the float bowl. And it's easy to tell when you look at the intake side of the carb body

[Sandy]

To tell if they are 29mm smoothbores (the very much sought after ones) they'll have a large drain plug in he centre of the float bowl, the others all have their drain plug on the side of the float bowl. And it's easy to tell when you look at the intake side of the carb body

If they're pumpers I think they have a piece on the bottom of the float bowls for the pump levers. Not sure if the pump assembly can be retro fitted to the smoothbores or not or if there's something special with the pumper carb bodies. Have to get off my butt, I've had a set of Euro spec 28mm VMs off a GS1000S sitting on the shelf for far too long. Should do strip and dip and get them on the bike.

[loud et]

I talked to the guy and I'm going to go meet him. He said the float Bowls have that large drain plug on the bottom of them so that sounds promising. so that sounds promising. It sounds like he has a barn full of old ujm stuff but he said not much of it was Suzuki. He did say he has a NOS 850 tank in the box that he would let me have for dirt cheap. Going to head over and check it out

[tkent02]

If has more smoothbores, even beat up ones I could use them for parts.

[loud et]

If has more smoothbores, even beat up ones I could use them for parts.

He sounded happy to have me come over and take a look through the barn so I'll see what all he has

[chuck hahn]

take note pad and camera please.

[Sandy]

Bring a truck, cash and some goodluck.

[tkent02]

This could really be a gold mine for you if you play it right.

[loud et]

To tell if they are 29mm smoothbores (the very much sought after ones) they'll have a large drain plug in he centre of the float bowl, the others all have their drain plug on the side of the float bowl. And it's easy to tell when you look at the intake side of the carb body

Well Rob they are in fact 29mm smooth bores like the pics you showed. They have the large drain cap on the bowls and the same jet/port configuration on the intake side like the other picture you showed.
They have a retrofitted accelerator pump. He threaded the pump jets into the intake throat of each carb right where the pod filter clamps on.
I also got the sync gauges with fittings. Needs new rubber lines but the gauges work. Got a full Mikuni manual for the smooth bore carb series some other vintage ujm aftermarket parts manual/catalog and a pretty nice 77-79 750E gas tank.
I gave him 100$. He said 95 was for the books, carbs and gauges and 5 bucks for the tank. Sweet.

[loud et]

The carbs operate freely and feel pretty smooth. The exterior is painted black.
Not sure what I'm doing with them yet.
Overall a really good buy for all I got.

Thank you guys for your responses. It made the deal.