- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 0
TK22 Carb Cleaning
- insignia100
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
On another forum I frequent I was advised to leave all of the carbs on the assembly so that I don't mess up the synchronization. I don't know who valid that advice is for my carbs, though, so I'm more than welcome to any suggestions.
Any help is MUCH appreciated.
1983 Kawasaki KZ550
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- GPz550D1
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 254
- Thank you received: 22
Robert
1981 KZ550-D1
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- insignia100
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 0
What I'm mainly looking for is where the sync adjustment screws actually are. I've looked my carbs over several times and I just can't figure it out. Also, as I mentioned before, the photos in the service manual do not help me much.
1983 Kawasaki KZ550
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- GPz550D1
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 254
- Thank you received: 22
Thanks for your reply. I actually searched several times for information on these carbs and can't seem to find what I'm looking for.
What I'm mainly looking for is where the sync adjustment screws actually are. I've looked my carbs over several times and I just can't figure it out. Also, as I mentioned before, the photos in the service manual do not help me much.
On the TK22's, you have to take the top of the carburetor off to syncronize them. I believe it is held on by 3 screws. You will see the adjuster, as it usually has a dab of yellow paint on it from the factory. There is a set screw and locknut to hold it in place.
Robert
1981 KZ550-D1
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- insignia100
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 0
1983 Kawasaki KZ550
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- GPz550D1
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 254
- Thank you received: 22
Great, that's exactly what I needed to know. Thanks.
You are welcome!
1981 KZ550-D1
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
If the carbs are original equipment (oem), am thinking the 1983 KZ550 has cv (constant vacuum) carbs with diaphram activated slides (no sync adjustment) [see image below], whereas the 1981 GPZ550 has manual slide carbs with sync adjustment.
Good Luck!
[Click on image to enlarge view]
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- insignia100
- Topic Author
- Offline
- User
- Posts: 38
- Thank you received: 0
1983 Kawasaki KZ550
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.
- Patton
- Offline
- KZr Legend
- Posts: 18640
- Thank you received: 2098
My experience with the oem Mikuni manual slide 26's on the 1976 KZ900-B1 LTD, and Mikuni 29 smoothbores, has been that most often the top part of the carbs, which is accessible by removing the top covers whereby the sync mechanism is exposed, is usually not the carb section that needs much if any attention for cleaning.
Most of the truly nasty stuff (varnish, crusty old residue from evaporated gas, etc.) needing attention, disassembly and cleaning, is accessible upon removal of the float bowls. These being items such as the overflow circuit, float, float needles, float needle seat (sometimes), pilot jet, main jet, bleeder tube, air or mixture adjuster needle, pilot air jet (sometimes), fuel and air passages, pilot circuit bore orifice, enrichener circuit, etc.
And the majority of necessary cleaning work is usually done easily without needing to separate and remove the carbs from the mounting plate which holds them together in position.
Imo, the pilot circuit is often responsible for poor driveability, especially during in town riding. For me, sometimes the pilot jet looks absolutely perfect, even under lighted magnification. But performs poorly. A new pilot jet resolved the problem. The old pilot jet wasn't clogged, but must have been somehow damaged by over-zealous cleaning of the orifices which impaired its fuel metering function.
If needed, there's an earlier thread on how to attain a perfect as-new pilot circuit, and which doesn't require ultra-sound cleaning (which is very nice, but not readily available to most of us amateurs).
Good Luck!
1973 Z1
KZ900 LTD
Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.