Weekly Quiz

Hey Lobster, did you check the fuel valve in the tank?
Take it out? Make sure your gas flow is not restricted?
Even the vent in the gas cap?
I have used pods since 1978, When K/N's were $39 and I thought that was alot, now new ones cost $150.
And back then don't know if they had the cone, tapered style.
But I had the straight round ones. And that is why all the KZ900 plastic side covers were cracked at the spot the pods touched. At least 3 or 4 of mine were.
Now I used the cheap EMGO ones, I drive part time. No, you can't wash them like K/N's. But if they get dirty, throw em out and get more $30 for 4 of em.

As far as jetting, do you have the circle clip at the bottom of the jet needle? At the 5th position? Bottom?
Don't worry about main jets, they only work for the last, wide open throttle position.
I always sync the slides manually to 1mm open them at the bottom of the bore and slide a drill or piece of copper wire, use as a feeler gauge. This way all the slides are at the same position.
I am assuming these are regular carbs, not CV's

I remember when the old guys cursed fuel injection and the new guys praised it. Nowadays, people just aren't preoccupied with being a useful member of society.

Case #1:

I just bought a 1995 Buick regal 3.8L. The MECHANIC told the PO that the head gasket was blown and that was why antifreeze was spilling out all over the road. For $1200, he would fix it. For $300, I took it off his hands. Another $150 bought me the upper intake manifold plenum. A few hours of labor to remove the throttle body, injectors, alternator, etc. and then put back together and this car is as good as used (<--intentional).

Case #2:

1994 Pontiac Grand Prix eating belts. MECHANIC told my friend the problem was the water pump because it was running too hot. Mechanic would fix it for $650. I looked at it and bought a $35 automatic belt tensioner for him and he hasn't had a problem since (this was 3 years ago).

Case #3:

Well, you get the picture. I guess being 40, I'm at an in between stage between the old and the new. There's nothing hard about either end, but it's great to have support. It helps confidence out immensely to have a second opinion to turn to. That's why I come here. You guys are great.

As for the bitching and moaning. Get over it. That's what friends do. They rag on each other to no end.

I just typed this whole rant without making a real point or remembering why I typed it in the first place. Awe screw it, I'm still posting it.

lobstermobster wrote:

@Larry. Not trying to say I was getting picked on. But when all you get is a face in response when asking for help, that's pretty whack

To me, people that set off on the adventure of trying to get an old motorcycle running without a service manual would be wack :lol: But it goes on anyway.

Forums can be a great source of help. However, that should be in supplement to a service manual for most maintenance & repair procedures.

Here's a fast way to find answers on KZR from Google.

your search criteria /site:kzrider.com

Example bs34 /site:kzrider.com

It doesn't get any simpler than motorcycle carburetors for function. Most carburetors questions have been asked thousands of times. It comes down to understanding the basic principal of the carburetors in question.

You're either going to have mikuni VM or CV type carburetors for the most part. Doesn't matter if they are Keihin carburetors. Both types of manual slide or constant velocity carburetors share the same basic functionality.

The service manual will give you all the information on how they work...It's truly the best place to start if you are unfamiliar with carburetor principles.

What was the number?At any given time,only 25% of the peeps on this forum have bikes that are actually running?Sh--, this is a forum for people that own 25-30 year old motorcycles in various states of repair /disrepair.U wanna run pods? Run em--except in the rain.Just realize that u will spend some time tweaking the A/F mixture in ur carbs.U wanna more reliable bike?Run the factory airbox,and be prepared to cuss every time u have to take it off to service something else.Its a trade off,folks.Dont be whacking on each other for a matter of (mostly) personal choice.Geez.BJ

hocbj23 wrote:

What was the number?At any given time,only 25% of the peeps on this forum have bikes that are actually running?Sh--, this is a forum for people that own 25-30 year old motorcycles in various states of repair /disrepair.U wanna run pods? Run em--except in the rain.Just realize that u will spend some time tweaking the A/F mixture in ur carbs.U wanna more reliable bike?Run the factory airbox,and be prepared to cuss every time u have to take it off to service something else.Its a trade off,folks.Dont be whacking on each other for a matter of (mostly) personal choice.Geez.BJ

Where did you get that 25% number BJ ?

There's nothing I can think of that you service for normal maintenance that requires removal of the airbox except the carbs or cam chain tensioner.

I must be in the majority then because I have put over 20,000 miles on it in the last 2 years. Does it run perfect? Hell no! There are definitely things that need to be done to it both because they need to be done and because I want to change it. But the fact of the matter is that if it's a decent day I'd rather ride it than drive my car. I have an almost 20 mile ride each way to work and back and it is the best therapy in the world. I have also found out that as an added bonus the vibrations from the Ole Girl nicely cancel out the vibrations from my cell phone. I could easily take my car it is parked right next to my bike but most days the bike wins out I accept that I will have to lube and adjust on it but to me that is a small price to pay for riding the bike that I wanted since I was 10. I really don't even mind explaining to some youngsters that yes it is in fact possible for it to have a cable operated clutch and still function....lol Yes it runs hot on Main Street during Biketoberfest and yes the Barnett Clutch makes your hand cramp after about three blocks in traffic but I love it when someone comes up and asks What in he hell is that? If I wanted to be like everyone else I'd buy a Road King or GSX-R. I like the uniqueness of the old bikes KZ's in particular and the wrenching while not always fun is part of the deal and that is fine with me.

hocbj23 wrote:

What was the number? At any given time,only 25% of the peeps on this forum have bikes that are actually running?

woo hoo! i'm one of the 25% !

but i have another question.
if i have two running daily driving bikes and two project bikes and a severe case of a.d.d, where does that leave me?
does two running cancel two projects?
enquirering minds want to know.

( and for the record. one has stock airbox and one has k and n filters. both have cv style carbs and both run perfect and i try not to ride in the rain if i can help it. that's just silly. )

My problem is when given the choice of riding or wrenching riding wins pretty much every time. Throw in good waves at the beach and nothing gets done....lol

dejavoodo41 wrote:

My problem is when given the choice of riding or wrenching riding wins pretty much every time. Throw in good waves at the beach and nothing gets done....lol

That's why January is Motorcycle Maintenance Awareness Month.

@z1kzonly- fuel was being restricted. fuel line from petcock to carbs was getting kinked, redid the line and not it s a champ. just need to fine tune it and should be good to go hopefully.

double post

ok, this has been sort of bugging me, but can you people saying not to run pods in the rain explain to me why? I have APE pods on my BS34 carbs, and I get stuck in the rain often particularly in the early months of the season, and now when the weather is shit. I have never noticed any adverse reaction to the rain. I am taller than most and when I ride my legs cover up the filters well...is it more of an issue that the rain doesn't really effect running, but is bad for the motor somehow?

I would say sorry for the hijack, but I think that's not necessary here lol