TOPIC:

On the BS34 carburetors on my '82 GPz750, the guy I bought it from couldn't get it to start when cold without starting fluid,

I found numerous problems when I started working on it -

First, the carb boots are as hard as granite, with no springs on them, and carbs have obviously been wrestled out of them.

Second, on the choke/enricher shaft, three of the 'rubbers' that seal the shaft were shredded, and doing nothing.

My question is this - are those rubber seals just dust seals, or are they supposed to help seal the vacuum around the shaft so the carb can pull fuel up out of the bowl easier or are they simply dust seals ?

The other problem was that the guy had wrapped tie-wire around the choke/enricher shaft in place of an E-Clip, and it wasn't in the groove, so one carb wasn't moving exactly like the others.

Those dust/shaft seals are not inexpensive, so should I replace them all ?

You might be able to find some good used ones if the new parts are abusively expensive (which unfortunately is quite common with Kawasaki parts). I don't think they are dust seals, but may be wrong.

Those "dust" seals will not effect the performance of the carbs. The seal comes from the rubber insert at the bottom of the plunger.

I have the same bike. Id take the carbs off, remove the choke rod , dust covers, plunger cap & started plunger. Try spraying down thru the passages and see if that helps. The rubber things are just dust seals and make no difference outside of keeping dirt out. Something is plugged in where the plunger goes. You might be able to do this with the carbs on but its pretty tight in there. I don't know how long you've had the bike but don't touch the throttle when your choking the motor trying to start it. Replace the dust seals, manifolds & air box boots and life will be much easier. They are hard enough to get back in with new boots. Unbolt the battery box and it will slide back just a little but every little bit helps. Buy one of those little picks that they sell at harbor Freight to help get the boots over the carbs. Ive had mine off dozens of times and its never easy. Anything else I can do to help just ask. Im no expert but Ive done a lot of CV carbs on my GPZ50 and 2 GS1100s

Have no fear Woody - if I can't get the carbs to work right they might end up at your door

I replaced the rubbers, replaced the choke rod & replaced the tie-wire with E-Clips, I have new boots and springs too -