New 2 Me KZ

I recently purchased a 1976 Kz900 w/ a 1000cc motor. I don't really know much about it's history.
When the engine is warmed up, the tach needle bounces around 1100rpm, is this normal?
Also, when I rev and release the throttle, it takes the engine a few seconds before it returns to a somewhat normal idle.
Could this be a matter of simply having the carbs cleaned, or something worse?
It sometimes seems to backfire slightly. It has a 4-in-1 header with the baffle removed. The previous owner did give me the baffle, should I put it back in? Would this help my situation with the above described symptoms?
Thanks for any help.

Post edited by: 13thlevel, at: 2007/03/11 19:09

Backfiring can be lean "mis" fires, sustained high idle after throttle is closed can also be lean condition. The motor needs valve clearance check, carbs cleaned, intake rubbers checked for cracks, ignition timing checked and point gap checked (if points). New plugs and clean filtered gas. Plugged pilot jets in carbs is common. This would cause both symptoms. The tach is broken.

Post edited by: nads.com, at: 2007/03/11 19:34

on the slow to relaese, have you checked the routing of the cables, make sure thay are not in a bind, also a good lube would help also, remember it is a push oull system, make sure they are adj right, other that tnat you may need to replace the cables if the are comming apart inside