Air suction system

What are the benefits,if any,of removing/disabling the air suction system on my 1980 KZ1000b Ltd?Is it as simple as plugging the hose connections?

Good Fortune!

Kawasaki's "clean-air system" was designed only to reduce emissions, and does not otherwise improve engine performance.

Removing the "clean-air system" eliminates the several potential air leak sources at the various hose connections incident to the system.

But be on the lookout for squadrons of black helicopters with bunches of federal marshals rappelling down with their emmission-sniffing commando attack dogs to git'cha! :woohoo:

Good Fortune!

No real benefits except you loose a bunch of potential vacuum and intake leak sources.

Just removed mine on my '80 KZ550, the bike runs waaaaay better, but I also replaced the carb boots. I had a vacuum leak that was messing with my idle, most likely the majority of which was in the boots, but I'm all for removing as many factors as possible from the equation.

carwash wrote: Just removed mine on my '80 KZ550, the bike runs waaaaay better, but I also replaced the carb boots. I had a vacuum leak that was messing with my idle, most likely the majority of which was in the boots, but I'm all for removing as many factors as possible from the equation.

Good Fortune!

My old cover had a set-screw threaded into each of the four holes of the cam cover, inserted from the top beneath the reed valves. A PO had installed them as deep into the hole as he could get the tap to thread. That was a good method for plugging the holes, so the reed valves and covers were no-longer needed.
The Canadian cover has no reed-valve towers, for some reason. :blink: Canada was/is misguided less than US, it seems.

Patton wrote: Kawasaki's "clean-air system" was designed only to reduce emissions, and does not otherwise improve engine performance.

Removing the "clean-air system" eliminates the several potential air leak sources at the various hose connections incident to the system.

But be on the lookout for squadrons of black helicopters with bunches of federal marshals rappelling down with their emmission-sniffing commando attack dogs to git'cha! :woohoo:

Good Fortune!

Thanks forthe detailed instruct in your first post,Patton.As for the black copters,I've lined my helmet with foil in anticipation of such an attack.

daveo wrote: My old cover had a set-screw threaded into each of the four holes of the cam cover, inserted from the top beneath the reed valves. A PO had installed them as deep into the hole as he could get the tap to thread. That was a good method for plugging the holes, so the reed valves and covers were no-longer needed.
The Canadian cover has no reed-valve towers, for some reason. :blink: Canada was/is misguided less than US, it seems.

Us Canucks had more clean air (per person) to waste back then....

Resurrecting an older thread but I am taking a hard look at my air suction system.
Is this a problem? The reed on the right is open. I would take it out and flip it but the screws are corroded and one has snappped off. I'll probably just connect them and ditch the whole thing.

ThatGPzGuy wrote: Resurrecting an older thread but I am taking a hard look at my air suction system.
Is this a problem? The reed on the right is open. I would take it out and flip it but the screws are corroded and one has snappped off. I'll probably just connect them and ditch the whole thing.

Ditch it. Now that it is 40 years old, every part of that system is a potential air leak and tuning problem. Thread the ports and plug them with grub screws. Install block off plates. Connect the feed cages with a snug fitting hose. Whatever.
Ride on.

Great advice. I put the reeds back in and connected the two sides together. I also plugged the airbox hole.
What a difference. The KZP is rideable again.
I'm getting rid of the one on the GPz too.