carb bowl removal

has anyone ever tried to remove the #1 carb bowl to get at the jets without removing the whole rack?it's on a 79 kaw 1000 ltd,,,thanks for any input

I never remove the rack to drop the bowls on my VM24SS carbs. I just shut off the petcock, drain the bowl, remove the 4 screws, and it drops off. It helps to use a mirror, a 1/4" rathcet and JIS screwdriver bit (see pic) to get #2 & 3 carbs. Ed

#1 might not be so bad, but I gotta tell you that some of those old phillips head screws can be stuck in there pretty good.

I often drop all four bowls with my carbs in situ but I have allen head screws and I use a flexible driver (a cheap set from a flea market).

They are not Phillips screws. They are JIS (Japanese Industrial Standard cross head screws). Using a Phillips screwdriver bit, which does not fit properly, makes removing any of the screws on a KZ without boogering the screwheads difficult if not impossible. Almost like using an SAE wrench on a metric bolt. Ed

the carbs have been removed about 2 years ago and reworked so hopefully the screws havent grown roots. its not running on #1 much so i suspect a bit of trash got in the jet or at least i hope thats what it is. have good fire to the plug and great compression

If you don't have JIS screwdriver bits you can easily make your own. The points on the Phillips bits are just a little too long for JIS screws; the points bottom out in the screwhead and prevent the bit from fully seating. You can test this by seeing how much the bit wobbles when inserted in the screw. By grinding the tip of a Phillips bit, then testing the fit, then grinding a little more until it's a perfect fit you can make a bit that fits properly. See pics in link below. Ed

kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/452802-loud-c...hile-cranking#452872

For consideration --

Click > www.z1enterprises.com/Carb-Holder-Allen-...6mm-x-18mm-2651.aspx

Good Fortune!

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Here's a comparison of standard screwdriver bits, home made JIS bits made from DeWalt standards, and actual Vessel Brand JIS standard bits. Visually there's not much difference, but functionally the JIS and home made JIS fir the Kawasaki screws WAAAAY better than the standard Phillips do.

mission accomplished...not too bad of a job. the pilot jet was stopped up really bad with something from i dont know where but its clean as a whistle now. the #1 cyl is now hot as the rest. soon ill try a test drive,,thanks for the great help guys!,,,,hydro