'79 KZ1000ST

am looking for a new set of carbs for the old girl, preferably in the UK if anyone knows of a potential source.

Are you looking to stay with the 28 pumpers? Sorry I'm state side and really can't help I guess but if you're not going for a lot power I'd say you could get a set of 26's pretty easy over there for less money.

being a mechanical idiot (unless its fixing my land rovers:P on which a 4lb lump hammer and large stillson normally suffice) can you go into some more detail. if there are alternatives which I could be looking at that would be great.

I have a 79 KZ1000E1 ST and switched the OEM VM28 w/pump for VM26 from a 77 KZ1000A. The smaller venturi make better power in the mid-range and seem better suited for the shafty's normal operation... The redline on the bike is fairly low and never seen on my bike, anyway. Any VM series carburetor from VM24, VM26, VM28 or VM29 can be fitted; I think the 24s are a tad small and the 29s seem like a waste of time on a shafty as it isn't all that sporty a bike so the 26s and 28s would be pretty much on target. The early 28s offer the best all out performance of the lot but since you claim to be on the non-mechanical side, are the most challenging to keep working right. The 28s from later KZs have accelerator pumps and those pumps add an additional element of complication so the 26s seem a good choice (without the pump).

I have just got my brother in the UK to check the carbs on the bike and they are 32mm. will take onboard your advice and try and find some 26mm.