Returning Member from Kentucky

Hi Guys,
I was a member around 2005  when I first got my '79 kz650 B3. This forum was extremely helpful then and I expect it may even be more helpful now. A broken clutch cable parked my bike in 2015 and its time to get it running again. I'm not sure what skills/knowledge I have that can help anyone else, but I'm more then happy to try. I will be learning as I go, but youtube and internet stores have changed the game since last time I worked on the bike.  I decided to turn it into a cafe/brat style. 

Things I know I will be looking for help with:
Carb identification and rebuild (Mikuni with 102 over 3 on one flange and B8 over 77 on the other side) 
Fork rebuild
Part suggestions
Reputable online stores and ones to stay away from 

Thanks,
Kevin


 

Not that I am the welcome mat here, but welcome back so to speak.  The carb ID you posted 102/3 is not one I am aware of as stock on a 650.  Not saying they are not just not one I am aware of.

We like the eye candy so post some pics when you can, and tell us more about your machine..

This carb rebuild guide may help.  It's based on Suzuki GS VM carbs, but they are very similar to the KZ version, other than some of those had accelerator pumps on them.

gsarchive.bwringer.com/bikecliff/images/vm_carb_rebuild.pdf

A good cleaning and replacing of O-rings and bowl gaskets is typically all that's needed to revive the carbs.  I've got O-ring kits for your carbs (assuming they don't have the pump.)  PM me if that would help.

Welcome from Derby City.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I've got lots of carb questions. I'm guessing its better to post them in the carb forum though. I never use forums or any form of social media stuff so somebody has to let me know etiquette here if I'm doing something wrong.  I only have carb pictures, but I can post some of the bike tomorrow.

Nessism - I'll need O-rings and bowl gaskets. That's why I was trying to identify the carb. Are all KZ Mikuni carb gaskets and O rings the same?

GD4now - I think the carb may be from a 77 KZ1000. I have a note that the original owner paid $700 for carbs and Kerker 4-1 exhaust in March of 1980. For that price back then I would have assumed he bought a new carb. He only paid $1300 for the bike new in Jan of 1980. I've attached pictures.

I bought my first and only bike in 2005 when I was in college for $250 from the original owner. It had been sitting since about 1983 with about 6000 miles. All I did was clean the carb, take off the Vetter fairing, scrap as much rust off as I could, and bought new tires. I never adjusted the fuel screw, synced the carbs, leveled the float bowl, etc. I rode it for a few years in college then it sat until 2015. In 2015  I got in running again and after a few too many beers decided to start hacking pieces off to turn it into a cafe racer. I had the time but not the money to complete the project. A wife and two kids later I can afford to do the build properly, but it may take me a couple years complete. I don't really know what I'm doing, but learning is half the fun right. 

The pic you posted are not vm24ss or vm22ss carbs which were the vm carbs offered stock on the 650s.  The pics you posted are either vm26vm or vm28carbs. The smaller carbs (22 or 24) have ribs on the upper part of the carb body.  Your cabs have only a pilot screw no air screw and I will guess that they are vm26ss carbs mostly likely off of a kz1000.  But do not take my word for it.  Once you open them up some of the internals may provide a better idea as to just what they are.I do not currently have the ID you stated 102/3 in any of my data set, but do have 102/1, 102/2, 102/4, 102/5 as being stock on kz1000  different models for the years 1977 -1980..

+1 on the 26mm. My 24s have 3 small  horizontal ribs and one more prominent vertical rib (much bigger than the 26s) for the airbox side that are above the bowls on the main body. 26s which have no such ribbing came on some 650s in Canada and abroad so you are off to a good start. They should still slide into the boots okay. 28s were used on I believe the early 900s and then later on the LTDs with pampers. 

I'm not going to correct pampers just so you know. Spellchecker can't be wrong

I'd like to extend a welcome back to the fold from Arizona. Any chance of a pic of your KZ as it sits?

Here is the bike. I did get the carbs back on and started up last night, but I still have a lot of issues to work out. 

Welcome back Kevin.

I wonder if the engine has been bored larger?
Why else would someone put larger carbs on?
And pod filters too.
Hopefully set up right, otherwise She probably doesn't/won't run well.
You did ride before with this set up, so something must be right.

wrote:

Welcome back Kevin.

I wonder if the engine has been bored larger?
Why else would someone put larger carbs on?
And pod filters too.

 

There are those that believe "bigger must be better" (like huge exhausts that end up with a power band that starts at 7000rpm !!!)