Where is my air Screw Adjustment

  • RogerPettersen
  • RogerPettersen's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks: 1

Where is my air Screw Adjustment

13 Aug 2026 00:43
#926689
  I have a 1976 KZ900-A4 with original Carburetors ( I belive)  The engine runs a bit unevenly and roughly around 2,000 RPM. I’ve read that the 1976 KZ 900 models were modified to meet US emissions standards, and my bike is currently fitted with a #115 main jet and a #17.5 pilot jet.

To smooth out the running around 2,000 RPM, I want to switch to "European" specifications by installing a #117.5 or #120 main jet and a #20 pilot jet... This will likely result in a rich fuel mixture, so I’ll need to increase the airflow. However, I can't figure out where to adjust the air screw on my carburetors. Can anyone help me with this? I’ve attached some photos.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Street Fighter LTD
  • Street Fighter LTD's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Moderator
  • Moderator
    Registered
  • TURBO, Its Better to be Blown than Injected
  • Posts: 5139
  • Thanks: 2319

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

13 Aug 2026 05:43 - 13 Aug 2026 05:44
#926694
Welcome to KZRider
Before posting here your next post MUST be a introduction in our New Members forum
Dave
Site Moderator

Original owner 78 1000 LTD
Mr Turbo Race Kit, MTC 1075 Turbo pistons by PitStop Performance , Falicon Ultra Lite Super Crank, APE everything. Les Holt @ PDM's Billet Goodies . Frame by Chuck Kurzawa @ Logghe Chassis . Deep sump 5qt oil pan. RIP Bill Hahn
Last edit: 13 Aug 2026 05:44 by Street Fighter LTD.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • MFP-Joe
  • MFP-Joe's Avatar
  • Away
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • forever 18 when on my bike ...!
  • Posts: 581
  • Thanks: 761

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

13 Aug 2026 06:06
#926695
Hello,

as i see, your bike is equipped with the  "later than original Z900"  , (K)Z1000 A1/A2 carbs, these carbs don´t have any air screws, they only have a fuel-mixture screw in the middle  underside, (head-intake side)
And i think also, the 20 pilot, and 120 main would made your mixture a bit to rich...just my 5 cent about...
Z1000 A1 1976
Z1000 A2 1977

Greetings, Joe

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • zed1015
  • zed1015's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 3314
  • Thanks: 2012

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

13 Aug 2026 06:08 - 13 Aug 2026 06:11
#926697
Those 26's don't have an AIR mixture screw.
They have a FUEL mixture screw which is located under the carb at the front of the float bowl towards the inlet manifold.
This screw adjusts the pilot FUEL supply and is clockwise to lean off and anticlockwise to richen.


 
AIR CORRECTOR JETS FOR VM CARBS AND ETHANOL RESISTANT VITON CHOKE PLUNGER SEAL REPLACMENT FOR ALL CLASSIC AND MODERN MOTORCYCLE CARBURETTORS
www.kzrider.com/forum/23-for-sale/611992...lide-mikunis?start=1






Last edit: 13 Aug 2026 06:11 by zed1015.
The following user(s) said Thank You: RogerPettersen

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • gd4now
  • gd4now's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Denco where did you go?
  • Posts: 1706
  • Thanks: 702

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

13 Aug 2026 09:50
#926703
Here are some pics showing the difference between air screw and fuel screw paths.
1977 KZ650 B1
Pods and Denco header


OLD KAW OWNERS SMILE ALOT

The following user(s) said Thank You: MFP-Joe, RogerPettersen

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • Nessism
  • Nessism's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Sustaining Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 8145
  • Thanks: 3528

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

13 Aug 2026 10:11
#926704
I'd go full stock on the jetting.  Should be 107.5 main and 15 pilot, or something close.  Tune the fuel screw for best running.  Common setting range is from 3/4 of one turn to 1-1/4 turn, give or take.

From the photo your choke plungers are not seating down properly.  Be sure the plungers are able to fully seat or the mixture will be overly rich.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RogerPettersen
  • RogerPettersen's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks: 1

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

Yesterday 00:41
#926709
OK, sorry for that

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RogerPettersen
  • RogerPettersen's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks: 1

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

Yesterday 01:19
#926711
Hello,

as i see, your bike is equipped with the  "later than original Z900"  , (K)Z1000 A1/A2 carbs, these carbs don´t have any air screws, they only have a fuel-mixture screw in the middle  underside, (head-intake side)
And i think also, the 20 pilot, and 120 main would made your mixture a bit to rich...just my 5 cent about...
    OK Thank you so much for the info :-) I Kind of was hoping the Air screw was hiding under the brass ball, on the lefthand side (where normay they should be ) 
The following user(s) said Thank You: MFP-Joe

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • asphalt900
  • asphalt900's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Sustaining Member
  • Sustaining Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 1855
  • Thanks: 1262

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

Yesterday 01:55
#926715
You have the KZ1000 VM26 carbs as have been mentioned. They had two different versions of those too. By looking at your pictures it seems you have the late 1977 and up because of the type of throttle cable holder shown. Be Super careful adjusting those Brass Fuel screws! If turned in too far you risk chance of binding the tip into the casting and it breaking off in that hole. Then you would be in a real pickle. Looks like someone had already been messing around with those, evidence the allen bowl M4 screws. 
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism, MFP-Joe

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RogerPettersen
  • RogerPettersen's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks: 1

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

Yesterday 04:06
#926722
thanks for the warning. I will pay attention to the problem. hope I can be able to regulate the some of the air on the fuel mix screw

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • RogerPettersen
  • RogerPettersen's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 7
  • Thanks: 1

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

Yesterday 04:32
#926724
thanks for the warning. I will pay attention to the problem. hope I can be able to regulate the some of the air on the fuel mix screw

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • TexasKZ
  • TexasKZ's Avatar
  • Offline
  • Platinum Member
  • Platinum Member
    Registered
  • Posts: 8336
  • Thanks: 2762

Re: Where is my air Screw Adjustment

Yesterday 11:04 - Yesterday 11:09
#926738
Fuel screws will have no effect at all on the air. They control only fuel.

The goal is to have the correct ratio of air to fuel. Let's say you have a lean mixture of 15:1 and you want a richer mixture of 13:1. Lean means there is too much air for the amount of fuel, OR there is too little fuel for the amount of air. You can either reduce the amount of air OR you can increase the amount of fuel to change the lean 15:1 to a more usable 13:1. 

Your carburetors change the ratio by changing the amount of fuel. Other carburetors do it by changing the amount of air. The end result is the same.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD slowly moving toward resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough

www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/620336...amateur-build-thread
Last edit: Yesterday 11:09 by TexasKZ.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Street Fighter LTD
Powered by Kunena Forum