Zephyr 550 carb issue

Ive got this zephyr 550 (w/ a title!) off craigslist for 350 bucks.
Thinking Ive done plenty of carb work on my kz, I can figure this thing out.
The air box had two pieces of foam held by silicon to work as an air filter. So I took the air box out and plan on re-jetting the bike for some pods. But until then I have nothing on the carbs.(Dangerous I know)
I got it running but wont rev anywhere over 6k.
Jets problem?
If so I may have a second bike ready to rock for summer after some bigger jets.
Any opinions?

Are you reasonably sure that these are the stock carbs? If so, then I doubt that you need bigger jets to get it rev past 6K. I would start by rebuilding the carbs. Go ahead and jet for the pods while your in there, but it should run with the stock jets. Others who have more experience with this motor can give you jet size suggestions. It would be worth it to get a FSM and check out the ignition as well.

rnuse wrote:

Ive got this zephyr 550 (w/ a title!) off craigslist for 350 bucks.
Thinking Ive done plenty of carb work on my kz, I can figure this thing out.
The air box had two pieces of foam held by silicon to work as an air filter. So I took the air box out and plan on re-jetting the bike for some pods. But until then I have nothing on the carbs.(Dangerous I know)
I got it running but wont rev anywhere over 6k.
Jets problem?
If so I may have a second bike ready to rock for summer after some bigger jets.
Any opinions?

Jet problem? :laugh: You think!

You absolutely must have some form of permanent filtration for the carburetors. Something oem/aftermarket designed for those carbs/bike.
Otherwise you will destroy the rings/cylinders.

If you change filters you need to change jets, so find something your going to just leave on there.

It won't rev because its way too lean without filtration.

Get the air filtration, then you can start fiddling with jets to find the ones that net you the most power.

Good luck!

What mains did you use with the pods? I'm having the same problem with my Zeph. I installed 115s across all 4, but I think I'm just going to go back to stock, and use the pods when I rebuild my KZ550 (still not done).

My main problem is she bogs (almost a whoof/whoosh sound through the intake) down at 1/4 throttle, and stalls. if I can manage to get it up past the 3k mark at 1/4 throttle, it'll pull up fine on the stand (in neutral).

Oh, and (with the pods off) noticed that the slides kind of fluttered in the 1/4 range.. didn't open up smoothly. Almost like it just couldn't do it. Not enough vacuum to lift properly?

Haven't tried riding the bike yet though..because it's just not consistent enough.

I'm assuming you have CVK30s?

Yea I do. As far as I know I have stock Jets in it. I have not messed with this bike in a very long time until tonight. I Think my diaphragms on top of the carbs may be to blame. Because my 1 and 3 carb slides are very smooth,while the others move freely but there is a weird "hesitation" when I push them up by hand. might take them apart tonight if I'm feeling froggy enough.

You either need pods and a jet kit OR whatever it takes to restore your stock airbox/filter to usuability. My ZR runs very nicely w/stock jetting and airbox in place.

Here's a link to ZR550 site:

www.allthings550.com/forum/