KZ650c / pods / 5000ft

Hello all, I am new here and I want to help out a friend of mine. He has a '79 650c with pods and as you may have guessed she isn't running well at all. I am gointt o go thru the carbs for him but if possible I would like to get some info first. Does anyone have or know of a 650c with pods that is jetted for @ 5000ft? Are pods the way to go for this bike? Thank you for your help, Ed

Post edited by: edjo69, at: 2007/08/08 13:51

Welcome,Ed. It was suggested to me that it is "all around" better to use the stock airbox system. Based on that, I've gone to great lengths to get one for my bike. I'm sure you can get info on how to re-jet the carbs. I just like to keep things as close to stock as I can. Seems easier in the long run to me. But, then again, because of the altitude issue, you'd probably need to do some re-jetting. Lots of guys here that can help and have way more experience than I. Good luck!

some people love pods and other don't, but they do make carb removal real easy. my 650 runs a stock air box, and when i did the carbs i kept it because a new air filter is only 6 dollars at Z1. anyway i have 102.5 mains and 15 pilots and the needle on the third slot. i have a set of 17.5 pilots i am going to try to clear up a small low RPM stumble. this set up works well for my bike, but i am only at 800 feet. i would think WG could give you a bit better recommendation for your situation

The air/fuel mixture gets leaned out when you add pods so you need to rejet. The 5K feet requiring leaning out the air/fuel mixture as you have less air. They might just about offset if you put pods on at 5k feet. If you have stock jetting, leave it alone and give it a try.

All good info. Slight issue though I don't know the history of the bike so when I pull the carbs out/apart I have no idea what the stock jetting should be? Can someone point me in the right direction?? Thanx, Ed

think they were suppose to have a 92 or 92.5 in the main and a 15 pilot. but dont hold me to that

The jet needle and needle jet varied from medium rich to pretty rich over the years. The medium rich combo generally took a #102 main. The pilot used is a VM22/210 type and #15. As time went on and they started putting accelerator pumps on and the mid-range richened some, the main jets grew smaller. Some are #97.5 and some are #92.5 as I recall... may be other sizes in that range. I don't pay a lot of attention to the main jet size Kaw used as most of the assemblies work better with just installing a #102.5. I use that number to baseline the main jet. That size should be about right for pods at 5K feet along with the #15 pilot and the jet needle should be clipped to the 3rd slot. If you get a chance to use this combo, please provide feedback on how it works for reference. Thanks

Heres what I have. 97.5 mains, 17.5 pilots, needles 2cnd clip from top. The carbs appear to be in pretty good condition. I guess I will switch out the mains to 102, pilots to 15 and put the needles at 3rd clip all per WG unless I am missing something?? Thanx, Ed

Ok, I have 102 mains, 15 pilots installed, needles are 3rd clip down and I am stalled. # of the 4 air metering screws had o-ring that are shot, 1 cracked through and 2 worn down to nothing. I can't find that o-ring anywhere. Does anyone have a suggestion as to finding one? Bikbandit?? Thanx, Ed