KZ1000 Carb Sync Problems

Okay, so the site has been very helpful so far. I am still trying to get my 1979 KZ1000 MKii up and running WELL. I found the info to make my own vacuum gage setup. I bought the same gages and all the appropriate lines to hook them up to the carbs. But, it seems as though when I do so I cannot get the bike to stay running. Without them, it stumbles, but idles just fine.

The vacuum side of the petcock is hooked up to cylinders 1 and 4 while 2 and 3 are plugged, is this correct?

Any help would be great to get this thing buttoned up and enjoy some of the weather.

Thanks
Monk

You have four guages, and four vacuum lines, right? One line goes to each vacuum port on the intake manifold. Since you have a vacuum petcock, but need the vacuum port to be hooked to the guage, I guess you can just disconnect the petcock vacuum hose from the intake manifold and turn the petcock to PRI so that fuel still flows to the bowls while making your adjustments.

monkonmonk wrote:

The vacuum side of the petcock is hooked up to cylinders 1 and 4 while 2 and 3 are plugged, is this correct?

Maybe I'm missing something. What kind of carbs to you have? Are the vacuum ports on the intake manifolds? Or are they on the carb bodies?

My experience is with VM26 carbs where each intake manifold has a vacuum attachment.

Yes, I am using four gauges and four lines. I am 99% sure I have the stock VM28SS carbs.

The vacuum ports that I need to measure are the ones on the manifolds according to the manual that I have.

monkonmonk wrote:

Yes, I am using four gauges and four lines. I am 99% sure I have the stock VM28SS carbs.

The vacuum ports that I need to measure are the ones on the manifolds according to the manual that I have.

Okay, just to confirm, your guages are connected to these:

And not these:

Unless there is something about the VM28 carbs that is different from my VM26 carbs, your petcock vacuum line should also be connected to a manifold vacuum port, not the vent line on the carb. Those two lines coming off the carb are just vents. They don't suck. So they won't open up your petcock valve to allow the fuel to flow.

So to do your sync procedure, you should disconnect your petcock vacuum line from the manifold, hook up all your guages to the four manifolds, then turn your petcock to PRI so the fuel will flow to the carbs. Start your engine and do the sync.

If I'm off base here, someone please correct me.

Does your sync guages have restrictors inside it's hoses? if not put some #30 mikuni pilot jets inside the hose's and it will help stabilize the mercury.

Also, I recomend to turn the engine off and blip the throttle a couple of times, then restart your bike and double check your readings.

Also, use a fan to keep the bike cool.

Post edited by: Capt. Quirk, at: 2007/06/06 02:38

Thanks for all the responses so far. I have the hoses hooked up to the first picture you have shown on the carb holders themselves.

I did have restrictors put in the orifices of the gages for the $0.75ea. I will definitely try it in the prime position to see if that helps. I am looking check my valve clearances as well to make sure the shims are still within tolerance. I would hope with only 16K miles that they are, but it is hard to say.

Any other helpful hints or tips as all of this will be worked on tomorrow and through the weekend. I will keep you guys updated with my progress.

Thanks again.