Clean air system delete

  • nickleo373
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Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 12:41
#688475
Hey everyone
I'm trying to get rid of the clean air system on my 81 KZ550. I linked the two ports on the valve cover together using a vacuum hose and capped off the carb boot ports using Kawasaki nos plugs. I taped off the hole at the top of the air box with duct tape. Now when I try to ride the bike it bucks and seems to get power and lose power. What should I be looking to do to make this run like it did with the clean air system?
1981 KZ550C LTD
"If you ain't first, you're last"

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  • missionkz
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 12:48
#688477
Is that mod really needed? I mean is there some kind of real horsepower boost making it worth while? Etc
Bruce
1977 KZ1000A1
2016 Triumph T120 Bonneville
Far North East Metro Denver Colorado

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  • nickleo373
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 12:51 - 03 Sep 2015 12:52
#688478
I think its sucking oil through the engine and burning it. I took the hose off and a teaspoon of oil dripped out
1981 KZ550C LTD
"If you ain't first, you're last"
Last edit: 03 Sep 2015 12:52 by nickleo373.

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  • V3DT
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 13:06 - 03 Sep 2015 13:13
#688481
nickleo373 wrote: I linked the two ports on the valve cover together using a vacuum hose

So you plugged the crankcase vents by linking them together? :blink: If they're not routed back to the intake in some way you should have put a filter on them, don't block them unless you want to have problems. :P

Also why are you messing that to start with? If everything was working fine before why change it? :huh:
Last edit: 03 Sep 2015 13:13 by V3DT.

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  • SWest
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 13:53 - 03 Sep 2015 13:53
#688489
Done. B) Connecting the two ports together on top of the head shouldn't cause a problem. The ports at the carbs might if they were connected to each other via the tubing. You might have had a air leak in the system and the carbs were adjusted to compensate for it. Try adjusting the screws for best idle and see what happens.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229
Last edit: 03 Sep 2015 13:53 by SWest.

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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 14:14
#688495
Thanks for the replies. I kind of feel like an idiot now but mistakes happen I suppose. I nudged one of the ignition coil wires while connecting the valve cover tube. When the engine was on it was rattling the wire causing the power to cut in and out. On a totally unrelated topic, is there a way to tighten these old electrical connections back up so they don't slip come undone while riding?
1981 KZ550C LTD
"If you ain't first, you're last"

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  • SWest
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 15:24
#688500
Just squeeze the connector with a pair of needle noes pliers. Clean them too.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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  • V3DT
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 15:26 - 03 Sep 2015 15:33
#688501
swest wrote: Done. B) Connecting the two ports together on top of the head shouldn't cause a problem.
Aren't those 2 ports for crankcase ventilation, so running a hose from one to the other with nothing in between would basically be the same as plugging them.
Last edit: 03 Sep 2015 15:33 by V3DT.

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  • SWest
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 15:30
#688502
No they're reed valves to inject fresh air into the exhaust ports. Helps to burn off unburned fuel. Good idea and doesn't rob power. It can start leaking and cause issues.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 15:50 - 03 Sep 2015 15:52
#688504
swest wrote: No they're reed valves to inject fresh air into the exhaust ports. Helps to burn off unburned fuel. Good idea and doesn't rob power. It can start leaking and cause issues.
Steve

I see, I looked up the KZ550 engine & the first thing I thought was crankcase breather ports because on my KZ440 the breather port is on the head cover but it looks like on the KZ550 it's on the engine case itself. :whistle:
Last edit: 03 Sep 2015 15:52 by V3DT.

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  • DGA
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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 16:25
#688510
I machined aluminium plugs and punched them into the head when I had the cam cover off on my 1100, long enough to go down to the bottom of the straight holes. Then removed the reed assembly and capped the ports on the covers just so water and bugs don't go in there.
"83 KZ1100 Spectre, '81 Yamaha XV750 Cafe, '74 Kawasaki H2B 750

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Re: Clean air system delete

03 Sep 2015 16:33
#688512
Having the breather in the valve cover is a good idea. You can tell it gets hot in there by the color. Not a problem with a fresh motor but when things get worn, a lot heat is trapped up there.
Steve
Z1b1000 1975 Z1b
kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/598262-kz-...-will-it-live#672882
kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/597654-poser?start=240#704229

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