choke

hi there everyone im a new guy in the house, im in md just got this bike maybe a month ago its a kz 550 ltd 1983 and it sat for a while before i got it. I charged the battery and attemoted to start the beast however it cranked and no start. So the previous owner said i had to stick a rag in the intake under the seat i think this is because he doesnt know where the choke is. So i did the rage thing and eventually got it to start runs rich and bogs down when snapping the throttle. Iread some of the previous post and im gonna do the draining the tank putting in fresh fuel, but the question is where is the choke? im am not too familiar with older bikes.

Not too sure on the 550,but it should be down on the left-hand side of the carbs.
Either a pull-choke with a round,black button,or it could be a lever.
Possibly on the handlebars,on the left side??

Even if you get it running with the choke you know what's gonna be required don't you? Yup..... the remove the carbs and a complete cleaning procedure! (depends how long bike has been sitting) You MAY get lucky with running fresh gas through it but time will tell. Let us know...

ok i found it its a lever on the left side of the carbs thankyou guys. So it starts up better when i set it up to prime and adjust the choke still kinda difficult but not as bad before also runs alot better lol now that i found the choke. So the next question is what should i do next? Can i check the carbs before removing some kinda way to check for varnish or dirt? thanks so far for the help

Welcome to the KZR Nation.

Time to get a manual... quick. Their under $30 USD.

Try draining the float bowls... you might get lucky and the junk will be expelled. Get and install an inline gas filter ASAP. Your local auto parts has them or try Z1 Enterprises in upper NY... they have the manuals too... good friends of this forum.

Best of success!

how do you drain the float bowls?

Big brass bolt on the bottom of each carb.

Remember... Petcock to OFF position and don't do it in the living room. :pinch:

Use a plastic cup to catch the escaping gas and check for junk in the bottom... it will tell you if it was worth it.

Could you add your year, model and location to your signature to get the best replies.

HANDS2004- I have an 82 KZ550 standard with the tk carbs, do you have the tk or the keihin/mikuni type? I think the big brass plugs are for them not for the tk..
If you have the TK carbs, look at your overflows coming from the bottom of each carb. There should be a philips screw right above them on each carb. Thats your drains, crack each one open see how or if they flow any gas.
If they all flow at least some gas it should start, but cant guarantee it, or guarantee it will run good after that. Most of the time you'll have to take the carbs off.
Also, collect that gas from the overflows in a clear glass cup, and if its brown then you should take off and clean the tank too. Petcock should be cleaned anyway.

alrighty people i have the tk carbs, also found the phillips screws that you were talking about , i cracked them open and clear fuel came out. Now the previous owner said when he got the bike he did do the draining the bowls and fresh fuel but problem persisted, i have yet to completely drain all and top off with fresh fuel. now a good friend of mine and myself were just checking various things yest now i can say that none of the plus are wet or fouled, when running i touched all cylinders via exhaust they all were hot so im leaning on betting that its not a ignition issue. I also find that using the choke as well as a rag its hard to start but better than the choke alone. Also the petcock i thought i noticed a change when switching back and fourth but dont notice anything. also ill refresh its a 1983 kawasaki 550 ltd with tk carbs. thanks again