76 kz900 Overheating
- FuelnFlamez
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76 kz900 Overheating
09 Aug 2017 17:48 - 13 Aug 2017 12:52
Hi, My bike runs great, my question is why is it overheating and is there anything i can do about it i heard that i can't ride it daily but would like to ride it as long as I can without it overheating any feedback would be thankful
76 Kz900 A4 custom
New front forks
mono shock swingarm
73mm piston kit - 1105cc
Dyna s ignition & coils
Pods
Vance & Hides 4 into 1 exhaust with baffle
Suzuki gs1000 VM28 carbs
Main jet - 130
Pilot jet - 17.5
Air Jet - 2.0
Needle 5DL31 - 4
Float bowl height - 26mm
Air screw - 1 1/4 turns out
Pilot fuel screw - 2 turns out
76 Kz900 A4 custom
New front forks
mono shock swingarm
73mm piston kit - 1105cc
Dyna s ignition & coils
Pods
Vance & Hides 4 into 1 exhaust with baffle
Suzuki gs1000 VM28 carbs
Main jet - 130
Pilot jet - 17.5
Air Jet - 2.0
Needle 5DL31 - 4
Float bowl height - 26mm
Air screw - 1 1/4 turns out
Pilot fuel screw - 2 turns out
Last edit: 13 Aug 2017 12:52 by FuelnFlamez.
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- SWest
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
09 Aug 2017 18:02
Timing too advanced?
Steve
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
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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- baldy110
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- daveo
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
09 Aug 2017 18:17 - 09 Aug 2017 18:21
Might the carburetor size have something to do with it?
Just a thought...
Just a thought...

1982 KZ1100-A2
Last edit: 09 Aug 2017 18:21 by daveo.
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- FuelnFlamez
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
09 Aug 2017 18:30
I took a ride 5 minute ride by the time I got back to my driveway it was realy hot and cutoff and when i tried to restart it it sound like the battery was dead or cold start but starts after it seats for a while.
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- spdygon
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
09 Aug 2017 19:29
Piston kit 10.5-1 compression?
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( #15...17K Miles)
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project
1982 GS1000sz Katana ( # 297....7100k Miles)
1978 Kz1000 Z1R. 10K Miles1
1978 kz1000 z1r 27k miles
1977 KZ 1000 A ( Project ) 54K Miles
1976 Kz900A4 (Red)21K miles
1976 Kz900A4 ( Red)7500 miles
1974 Z1 900 project
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- Patton
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
09 Aug 2017 19:44 - 09 Aug 2017 19:48
Check list from FSM:
Engine oil level too low
Ign timing maladjusted
Carbon built up in combustion chamber
Brake dragging
Clutch slipping
Intake manifold broken or clamp loose
Main jet clogged
Float level too low
Has clear-tube test been performed to assure correct fuel levels (not too low)?
Condition of engine oil?
Tires under-inflated?
Clogged oil pump screen or mafunctioning oil pump?
Good Fortune!
Engine oil level too low
Ign timing maladjusted
Carbon built up in combustion chamber
Brake dragging
Clutch slipping
Intake manifold broken or clamp loose
Main jet clogged
Float level too low
Has clear-tube test been performed to assure correct fuel levels (not too low)?
Condition of engine oil?
Tires under-inflated?
Clogged oil pump screen or mafunctioning oil pump?
Good Fortune!

1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
KZ900 LTD
Last edit: 09 Aug 2017 19:48 by Patton.
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
10 Aug 2017 05:19
What spark plugs are you using and what do they look like? Are the insulators too white? You may want to consider using a Gunson Colortune to check that the fuel mixture is not too lean. Ed
1977 KZ650-C1 Original Owner - Stock (with additional invisible FIAMM horn)
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
10 Aug 2017 06:01
Is there a shop you can take the bike to and get it dyno tuned and properly jetted? Also, if your pods are those cheap emgo jobbies I'd replace them with some real K&N's.
Ed
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
Carb O-ring Kits : www.kzrider.com/forum/3-carburetor/61807...-o-ring-kits?start=0
www.kzrider.com/forum/faq-wiki/618026-new-owner-things-to-know
1981 KZ750E2
www.kzrider.com/forum/11-projects/604901...z750e-project-thread
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- baldy110
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Re: 76 kz900 Overheating
10 Aug 2017 08:13 - 10 Aug 2017 14:27
Your jetting seems right for the mods you have if the carbs are the stock VM26 or VM28. Air cooled engines rarely overheat to the point the die and cannot restart.. I have seen one example of that and it turned out the owner had run the bike super low on oil so there was also lots of engine damage.
I wouldn't assume yours is overheated, it's air cooled and if you are used to water cooled engine then yes you might think it's hot but in reality it's not. For example I built up an 82 Kz1000R with an 1175 cc high compression piston, ported head, performance cams, Mikuni RS36 carbs, ect.. The thing put out well over 100 HP, I rode it in over 112 temps and it never overheated and I rode it hard. These engines were used by the CHP for decades due to their reliability so don't let people tell you cannot use these as a daily rider.
Along with what everyone else has said, Check you battery and it's connections, make sure they are clean, do a complete tune up including checking valve clearances.
I wouldn't assume yours is overheated, it's air cooled and if you are used to water cooled engine then yes you might think it's hot but in reality it's not. For example I built up an 82 Kz1000R with an 1175 cc high compression piston, ported head, performance cams, Mikuni RS36 carbs, ect.. The thing put out well over 100 HP, I rode it in over 112 temps and it never overheated and I rode it hard. These engines were used by the CHP for decades due to their reliability so don't let people tell you cannot use these as a daily rider.
Along with what everyone else has said, Check you battery and it's connections, make sure they are clean, do a complete tune up including checking valve clearances.

Last edit: 10 Aug 2017 14:27 by baldy110.
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