A Carb problem?

I'm having a wierd problem. My KZ550 is starting to bog down sometimes, and I can really feel it when it wants to go. It'll just take off then go back to bogged down mode. So I let it sit over night to decide what it wants to do.
This morning I started it up, let it run for a couple of minutes and shut it down. Then I felt the heat coming of the headers. All were hot except cylinder one. I checked for a spark, and its got a good spark. So then I figure its a carb problem, so I put some Sea Foam carb cleaner in it and start it back up. It sounds horrible, sputtering, bogging, and just barely idling. Then I feel for heat again and this time 1 and 4 are hot, but 2 and 3 are cool. I let it sit for a while and tried to think it out. Then I went back out in the evening and started it up again and VVVRRROOOOOMMMMM it really started up! All cylinders heated up this time(I've got a burned index finger to prove it).
So I guess my question is when do you decide to rebuild and tune your carbs? And is it really as easy as everyone says it is?

well, if you take them apart, keep all the parts in seperate baggies for that particular carb...and do not mess with the settings. most carbs will come apart without messing with the adjusters. my first set was like that and it worked fine. a good manual wouldn't hurt either. as for the airscrews, count the turns out and put them back the same. there are folks on this site who are pro's with these things. have patience and you will get the answers you need. good luck.

Have you considered an electrical problem? I lost most of last summer's riding trying to adjust my way out of problems when I really had electrical problems (OK, some cab stuff too). Since it was a dropped bike it had problems from switch gear faults to ignition faults.

Cold exhaust pipes... some times one, sometimes another, sometimes none. If it is like mine, I had coil problems... there was spark alright but not enough to always start or complete gas combustion. The main symptom I should have addressed first was the sooty spark plugs. You will want to check yours.

By the way, have done the coil power relay modification? It was a big help for me as far as reliability.

Hope this helps. Best of success

Have you considered an electrical problem? I lost most of last summer's riding trying to adjust my way out of problems when I really had electrical problems (OK, some cab stuff too). Since it was a dropped bike it had problems from switch gear faults to ignition faults.

Cold exhaust pipes... some times one, sometimes another, sometimes none. If it is like mine, I had coil problems... there was spark alright but not enough to always start or complete gas combustion. The main symptom I should have addressed first was the sooty spark plugs. You will want to check yours.

By the way, have done the coil power relay modification? It was a big help for me as far as reliability.

Hope this helps. Best of success

Have you considered an electrical problem? I lost most of last summer's riding trying to adjust my way out of problems when I really had electrical problems (OK, some cab stuff too). Since it was a dropped bike it had problems from switch gear faults to ignition faults.

Cold exhaust pipes... some times one, sometimes another, sometimes none. If it is like mine, I had coil problems... there was spark alright but not enough to always start or complete gas combustion. The main symptom I should have addressed first was the sooty spark plugs. You will want to check yours.

By the way, have done the coil power relay modification? It was a big help for me as far as reliability.

Hope this helps. Best of success

The coil power relay modification? Never heard of it. Where can I get one?

slater_kz550 wrote:

The coil power relay modification? Never heard of it. Where can I get one?

search this site for wiredgeorge posts. it is a mod you can do to your coils that increases voltage..it was his idea.

I found this,

www.wgcarbs.com/59021.html

Is this the modification your talking about?

slater_kz550 wrote:

I found this,

www.wgcarbs.com/59021.html

Is this the modification your talking about?

thats looks like it!! good luck!

That's it! Don't forget the inline fuse. Best of success.

Thanks guys, I'll give it a whirl. I dont have much choice since I'm having a hell of a time finding new coils online.

slater_kz550 wrote:

Thanks guys, I'll give it a whirl. I dont have much choice since I'm having a hell of a time finding new coils online.

go to z1enterprises.com
they have dyna coils new for 120.00.. they are currently out of stock...i am going to wait for them...you can to if you have the time! good luck.