kz650 jets

Hi all. Can anyone tell me what size main and pilot jet I should increase to when running carbs with pods? I am using 107 main and 15 pilot at the moment so I'll need to increase the fuel flow. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Lots of controversy on pods vs stock airbox. :blink: With your set up I would think at least 110 mains with a 17.5 pilot to start and see how a plug chop looks and how the bike pulls to redline. You have the last year with the Mikunis. You'll also have to factore in (I assume) having an accelerator pump which might give a slight hesitation with extra shot of gas upon giving throttle. Others will chime in also, let us know how it goes...

I'm running 17.5 pilots and 115 mains with rods full rich. I also have pods with a 4-1 exhaust. My bike is a 1980 650 E-1 and runs great. I believe if you have the stock exhaust, the 110s will do just fine. You may have to play with the height of the metering rods to get it right. Bob

Depending on your exhaust and what type of pods (K&N flow more and need a size bigger mains in general) you'll need either 112.5 or 115 mains with 17.5 pilots. If it was me, I'd buy both sets of mains so you don't have to wait for delivery if the first guess isn't right.

On my old stock 81 kz650 CSR I was running stock carbs with pods and stock exhaust and she wanted 115 mains to be happy, but I've heard of other running 112.5s and being perfect. Just one of those things with pods, you have to experiment to find the right set up for your particular bike.

I've changed my tune when it comes to pods. :woohoo:
Thier OK, but not for a street bike.
Pods will give you some extra power at the top rpm range, but will deffinately decrease accelleration through the low/midrange, and there will be a noticable flat spot in the midrange.

If your using the bike for a tight twisty track, well then pods are perfect. Otherwise, unless your leaving each coner out on the street at peak rpm, thier really not necessary.

Try a god high performance oem air filter replacement, and rejet for it. You can get a good almost 10% overall power increase, without the drawbacks in the midrange.

Remember... HP means crap. Torque is what its all about for accelleration. HP is just a mathematical calculation derived from torque to determine eventual top speed.

Just my 2 cents!

TeK9iNe wrote:

I've changed my tune when it comes to pods. :woohoo:
Thier OK, but not for a street bike.
Pods will give you some extra power at the top rpm range, but will deffinately decrease accelleration through the low/midrange, and there will be a noticable flat spot in the midrange.

If your using the bike for a tight twisty track, well then pods are perfect. Otherwise, unless your leaving each coner out on the street at peak rpm, thier really not necessary.

Try a god high performance oem air filter replacement, and rejet for it. You can get a good almost 10% overall power increase, without the drawbacks in the midrange.

Remember... HP means crap. Torque is what its all about for accelleration. HP is just a mathematical calculation derived from torque to determine eventual top speed.

Just my 2 cents!

Good explanation!!

Hi all, thanks for all of the advise. I have purchased some 115 main jets and 17.5 pilots - just gotta fit them. I have one more query that you all may be able to help me with. As my machine is a european model, the long needles are set on the 2nd clip down on the vavle needle (stock #4). The question is can I leave them how they are set or do I need to raise or lower the needle clip because of the increased jet size? Thanks for any help you can provide

With pods I'd drop the clips to the #4 slot and see how she runs. #2 seems like it'd be hellaciously lean in the midrange (where most of us spend most of our time riding)...