Idle issues.....

Ok....picked up a used and abused 1980 kz550 with 32k miles. After replacing half of the rotten wiring and cleaning the carbs, it runs. The problem I am having is the bike just won't run well without the choke full on. I can run it down the road ok fully choked, but as soon as I slow down with the choke off it stalls. Un-choked running down the road it has tons of power. It seems to be under 2k rpms that it has issues. Fully warmed with choke off at low rpms it is really boggy. Wrong jets? It seems to be getting too much air. Checked for seal with carb cleaner.

Live at 3500' elevation, stock air box.

Great people and forum by the way!

my guess would be that the pilot circuit is clogged.

that's just going by the symptom's you describe. double-check those pilot jets. these operate from idle to 1/8th throttle or so.

--r

That's what the local garage guy suggested prior to me pullin' them off. I went through them very well when I cleaned them.

First let me say I am no expert at all.........But this seems to be happening with me - Only when the bike is warm - Per teh service manual this could be a problem with running to rich - Check you plugs take note of condition - other than that I am not sure

If the bike runs only with choke on, it is lean; not rich. Clean pilot system. Check for air leaks in choke circuit and pilot system. Check for leaks in intake manifolds as well as any vacuum caps, etc.

No vaccum leaks, manifold....etc. I am going to reclean the carbs again. Maybe there was some junk in the fuel line from the tank. I will install an inline fuel filter before firing back up this time! Thanks for everyones input.