Help so I don't mess up my bike.

I have a 78 kz 650. Can someone instruct me how to clean the carbs. I pulled the bowls off and removed everything, sprayed it out, then put bowls back on. Do I need to be more thorough? If so. How? Bike has been sitting since the 90s. Thanks

well thats a good start,sometimes thats all thats needed.
have you tried starting it since cleaning them,any crud inside gas tank?if the inside of tank isnt full of crud and dump a half gallon or so of acetone in there and shake it up really good and dump it out.
you can buy acetone at any decent hardware store,id also pull the petcock out and check the screen.
put some new gas line and a good inline filter on there(not a glass one)put some gas in there and try starting it

Well the bike runs but I stripped it. I figured while carbs were off I would give em a once over if necessary. The bike has been sittin since 92. It starts right up. One or two kicks. I disassembled it or a good cleaning and body work. The bike does not have the air box on it. I think that is the reason why it seems like there is no power. Taking off is tough but once it's up to a decent rpm it does good. Im just wanting to do all I can so when its reassembled it will be a beast. It only has 8000 miles on it. I just didn't know what else I should do. Bowls were cleaned. Points were cleaned. New plugs. New battery on charger right now actually. I have the air box but need a filter and hoses then I'll put it on. I have not ran this bike with air box yet. Lubed cables. Just need advice as to what else to do before assembly.

change oil and replace tires,check/flush brake system.
basically check everything

Can you suggest a way for me to clean the exterior of the motor. Has lots of oxidation.

Welcome, After you get the stock air box installed the "taking off" should be good.If you don't have the stock air box you can use pod filters and rejet.

A lot of 650 experts here.

Remember the phrase,"wax on wax off"? Steel wool on steel wool off.

I cleaned my engine with a die grinder and wire brushes, Then with clay metal polish.

A dremel would be handy. It takes a lot of rubbin to get the engine clean. Roy

Welcome aboard! You really should put that airbox and filter on before you run the engine or the lean condition you're experiencing may cause damage, not to mention sucking dirt, bugs, etc. into the engine. Good luck with your "new" bike. Ed

Wear safety goggles, use plenty of carb cleaner spray, and possibly small e-string guitar wire to help clean the pilot jet holes.



Good Fortune!

Here's one of the several KZr threads about soda blasting.

Click > www.kzrider.com/forum/6-paint-a-bodywork...-soda-blaster#448587

See also threads about how to make a DIY blaster tool.

Good Fortune!