Gas leaking from bottom of carbs

Ok now here we go! I Just bought a 1980 kawasaki 550 on criagslist(I dont know what kind of 550 nor do I know how t tell) and it came with the CLYMER repair book. When I got it I was told that it only starts when you spray starter fluid on the crabs. Well Ive notice once it warms up and I turn it off it will start up like a champ but if u let is cool down for about a couple of hours you have to spray fluid all over again and it leaks gas out of the float bowl tips on the bottom of the 2 carburators on the right side and when it is idling it also makes a knocking noise. Now I was told that it is the cam chain tensioner. Now my question is are these problems some what easy to fix on my own. I know that the carbs are TK carbs. But thats all I know about them. If I try to rebuild them on my own I do I know what kind kits to get? This all that is wrong with the bike. It runs and shifts really well util u give it alot of gas it will sputter and turn off but I think that is also becuase of the carbs. This is my first bike and Im new to this. I have plently of timeto do my own mechanic work. But I need all the help I can get. Also is it hard to fix the cam chain as well. Becuase the book dosnt tell you how it says to take it to the dealer. Please, please, please, please help with some suggestions on to go about doing these repairs on my own!

P.S. The bike was also made into a Cafe Racer.

Sounds like your choke circuit(s) is or are clogged. But for the most part it sounds like the carburetors need to be thoroughly cleaned and rebuilt. The leaking fuel from carb 3 (left cylinder is cylinder number 1) is most likely coming out of the float over flow. This means the float valve is getting stuck open or not shutting closed completely due to crud which most likely is coming from the bottom of the fuel tank. Need to make sure the tank is clean and have an inline filter to avoid the problem again once the carbs are rebuilt. Could also be leaking due to improper float adjustment. Look up/search this site for posts/filebase on this site for as much information as you can find on rebuilding and adjusting the carburetors for your type carbs. There are many explanations on how to adjust using the clear tube method. The noise mentioned could be the cam chain due to malfunctioning adjuster. Or something else.

Thanx! but how can I find out what kind of carbs they are? All I can see with out taking the carbs off is that they are TK's. And what would be a decent rebuild get to buy.

You can go to www.zedder.com/msg1.htm and look up your frame and engine serial numbers which will tell you what you have. But you can't assume everything is original on the bike. So best bet is to post a few pictures of the carbs under the carburetor section.

Try looking on your headtube to see if you can find the exact model bike you have, then look up what carb fits on that bike.

sounds like carbs need thorough dissassmbly and cleaning. You may not need any parts, but you need to make sure all the jets and passages flow freely. Best to study up on carbs in general I think. We probably can't tell you all you need to know in this forum. Study the Clymer and whatever else you can find online about motorcycle carbs.

Ok the serial # read as KZ550A*****(there was 6 numers after the A). So does that mean that the bike is a KZ550A or just KZ550?

.

Thanx everyone! I now know my carbs are TK22 becuase they are stamp 1210 and the frame number reads KZ550A-000101. Which means its a KZ550A and not a KC550C1 cause in 1980 there was only two types of 550s made the A1 and C1. As of tomorrow im going to start taking them apart. Wish me luck!


OOHHHH yeah I almost forgot is there any how to videos or pictures on how to change out my cam chain tensioner for my 1980 KZ550A1