new guy, need some info on air cleaner box removal

okay, so Ive been browsing the threads for about 6 months now and figured, what the hell, I need some help... so, I am trying to remove my air cleaner box, and it seems obvious that my carbs need to come off first... is this right? any help/info would be appreciated...!

1980 kz550 a1

I can say that (at least for my z650) its one of the most annoying things ever! I have already decided that if i have to take it off again, i am just going to break it and replace it with pod filters. You should do the same. Just cut it off with a sawz-all!

yeah on my kz550 81 i fought with the airbox for like an hour and said screw it and jist busted it with a hammer lol and flat bar lol. replaced with pods.lol

You're right, the carbs must come off first. You may want to be sure to read all the threads on KZ550's and pods before you do this though. One guy who has put pods on a KZ550 is very happy with it, but rejets 3 times per year depending on the weather (eeek, what a hassle). No offense intended, but unless you want to spend a lot of time through trial and error becoming intimately familiar with carbs you may want to stick with the stock airbox. If you absolutely want more air to the carbs you may want to consider a K&N airbox filter. Here's one thread on KZ550 pods, there are others. BTW, the last posting on this thread is by a VERY knowledgeable KZ guru (larrycavan) so you may want to consider his advice. Good luck no matter what you decide. Ed

Thread

AGREE 100% once off i run pods so much easier for tunning and playing airboxes where and are designed to give local mechanics some labour time.IMHO

650ed... I have taken that point into consideration... and frankly the 550 is not really a road stripper if ya get me... the air filter box seems rather large and promotes little flow as it is... I actually was going back and forth over a six pack about takin my saw-zaw and cuttin right through it... however I am curious to keep it around just in case, thanks alot for taken a little time to respond... I appreciate it!

Dont cut it up just get it off and play with carbs,jets and exhausts good luck DONT CUT IT OFF!

Don't remove it unless your going to do the airbox mod I did and put it back on. Believe me it will flow fantasic without the constant rejetting problem of pods.

spudbudy wrote:

Don't remove it unless your going to do the airbox mod I did and put it back on. Believe me it will flow fantasic without the constant rejetting problem of pods.

Woah really? Is there a thread on this already? Care to elaborate? I thought the reason you have to rejet your carbs with pods is because you are getting more airflow, but this mod, isn't it doing the same thing? Are you sure you dont have to change jet sizes? Or maybe your mod actually doesn't improve airflow at all? No insult, I'm just very interested in this idea.

Here's a link to one article.

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_content...view&id=27&Itemid=11

Good Fortune!

Looking at the design of the stock air box and the volume it contains I don't see the "restriction" of air flow. Cutting off the tube from the lid and installing a K&N filter seems to provide all the air the engine could use in relatively stock form. I'm even looking for another lid with tube intact (friend cut it off 29 years ago to make it "faster") to elimitate the roar I get from unresticted air flow. Just my 2cents.

cobura wrote:

... I have already decided that if i have to take it off again, ...

Uh, why are you removing the airbox?