Got kz440 chop running and riding but need some help tuning

I just got my kz440 chopper running and driving today. I have a few problems though. First the bike seems very underpowered. I used to ride a kz1000 and I know that that is a much faster bike but this bike seems to really be strugling to keep up with traffic. The bike is running open pipes, pods and is much lighter then stock, I would think that this bike would run a lot faster. Could I just be running very lean?

One of my carbs is draining fuel out the bottom of the carb (there is a nipple there). Is this because my float level is set wrong?

Is there anyone in the south FL area who is good with tuning these bikes? I am going to try myself but I feel someone who is a pro would do a better job.

There is a slight chance that I am not using the original carbs on this motor (came to me as a basket). The carb boots are larger then what is on a 82 kz440 I just picked up and the carbs are a we bit bigger as well. The carb boots don't match the head perfectly, could this be the cause of any problems? I don't think it is but I thought I should ask.

Check your float level for the leak, and your spark advancer for the power. My advancer was was rusted shut, and the bike would not pull past 4K.

will check float later. I previously had to free the advancer as it was rusted before, it now turns freely.

I had alot of trouble with my carbs leaking too, changed to a different set with the same proble, turned out to be a combo of the gas lid not sealing and the petcock being bad, I would check those as well, just a sugjestion.

Would you mind posting some pics? I'm thinkin about choppin my 440 in the future (like next summer) and am looking for ideas.

djnubz wrote:

...One of my carbs is draining fuel out the bottom of the carb (there is a nipple there). Is this because my float level is set wrong?....

More likely some crud at the float-needle/seat interface. Which is the main reason for an overflow function through nipple on bottom of float bowl.

I was told that I am probebly using the wrong carbs on my bike (keihin 36mm). Can these be jetted to work properly with my bike or do I need to find a new set of kz440 carbs?

www.flickr.com/photos/wildboynubz/

There are also pics of the chop on there.

Sure, it is possible to rejet the 36mm carbs to work with your bike. The reason gas is drooling out; if the bike is running, is that the cylnder isn't firing all the time. You can check the float level and clean the float/seat but it is more likely a combustion issue. CHECK YOUR IGNITION.

I should of mentioned it only leaks when bike is off so far. Wired the carb boots I am using don't exacly line up with the head on the ID. I would think this would cause a performance decrease. Would I be better off getting a set of the small carbs considering the boots I have to match them would line up perfectly? Do I have other options?

The motor vin starts with 440ae if that matters.



Some pics are here
www.flickr.com/photos/wildboynubz/

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Post edited by: djnubz, at: 2007/09/25 18:39