What carbs will fit my 1979 KZ1000 Shaftie?

I need to know what carbs will fit my 1979 KZ1000 shaftie with stock 28mm carb intakes? I don't care if I have accel pump models or not...just something I could bolt on or mount with very slight mods. Who has a set for sale and how much? Thanks...

26s,28s,29 smoothbores would be the easy boltons i think.

Any VM series carburetor assembly from any Kawasaki will work including VM24/26/28. The only thing you will have to watch for if you have the OEM petcock is vacuum for the petcock. Not all OEM assemblies have a vacuum spigot so you would have to connect a hose from one of the sync ports on an intake manifolds to get engine vacuum to the petcock. I would hesitate to do this since these ports tend to be "wet" with atomized gas and I am not sure how long your petcock diaphragm would be happy with a spray of gas. If you use smaller VM24 carbs from a 650, it will give you better low-end and mileage BUT you will have to use radiator hose clamps on your manifolds to get them tight enough.

So, George, you are telling me that I can use any of those carbs with my 28mm intakes? I just have to make sure my clamp pressure is right? That is good to know...I wouldn't have thought it...

Any of those carbs will work, but the shaft uses a different set of carbs than any other bike, like all other parts. On 24s you'll have to do what wiredgeorge said. Also most 26-28s use a dual fuel inlet into the carbs, so you'll have to "T" your fuel line between the petcock and carbs. Also the ST carbs have the choke lever positioned differently, other carburetors may have a problem with clearance between the lever and tank, although I really don't think that will be a likely issue.

Ron, How is the choke lever positioned differently on the ST carbs? Don't they use 28 pump carbs? I have two shafties and neither had the correct carbs. I gave one of them to my assistant as a project bike (the 1980) and kept the 79 for my own use. I will be using BS34s on it when I get it back on the road. It is all in parts now. If you have some info on the shaftie carbs, please post a pic of the choke when you get a chance... I am very interested. Also, if you have the OEM carbs, could you write down the ID mark and send it to me? Eventually, I want to put an ID guide on my web site. The ID mark is on the flange in small numbers and will consist of a 5 number/letter combo with 3 numbers/letters on the top and two at the bottom they are typically real shallow and hard to read. I have factory specs for many models but not the shaftie.

wiredgeorge wrote:

Ron, How is the choke lever positioned differently on the ST carbs? Don't they use 28 pump carbs? I have two shafties and neither had the correct carbs. I gave one of them to my assistant as a project bike (the 1980) and kept the 79 for my own use. I will be using BS34s on it when I get it back on the road. It is all in parts now. If you have some info on the shaftie carbs, please post a pic of the choke when you get a chance... I am very interested. Also, if you have the OEM carbs, could you write down the ID mark and send it to me? Eventually, I want to put an ID guide on my web site. The ID mark is on the flange in small numbers and will consist of a 5 number/letter combo with 3 numbers/letters on the top and two at the bottom they are typically real shallow and hard to read. I have factory specs for many models but not the shaftie.

It's been 4 yrs since i've ridden my ST so my memory is hazy, but it was noticable the lever was angled differently than any other set of carbs. Like the lever when choked was almost the same position on the ST as other KZs carbs when unchoked. I can't see why it would really matter unless for some reason the petcock was lower on the ST or something. Probably nothing to it other than the tradition of always using different parts on the ST than any other motorcycle. I'm hoping to get the ST out this summer. If I do I'll get the numbers and picture the carbs. I got my MKII out last weekend. It also sat 4 yrs. Started right up and ran great

I haven't paid much attention to the petcock on my ST project bike tank but will likely replace it with an adapter plate and aftermarket unit. It is pretty nasty looking but I bet the carbs hit the choke lever as you note. Thanks! Take some pics of the carbs if you get a chance and I will use them in the ID guide. Cheers

George, I think mine had the proper original pumper carbs on it but they were so far gone I didn't want to mess with them. I will look at them as far as your numbers go and the position of the choke...I'll get back to you on it.