Newbie needs help with carb off KZ1000

Hey guys,

I recently purchased a 1979 KZ1000 LTD. I know nothing regarding the bikes history but it seems that there has been attempts at some sort of modifications. If my research serves me right the carbs that are mounted on the bike are not the factory ones. They seem to be Mikuni BS34s?

I am trying to get the bike started to find out the condition of the motor, etc.. before I start to rebuild the bike.

I haven't had any luck with starting the bike and it leads me to believe it's the carb which is causing me problems. I have spark and the motor is cranking over well. I have never worked on carbs before so I'm hoping for some guidance on getting them diagnosed and hopefully getting the bike started.

I've attached a picture of the carbs. I measured the engine side of the carb and got 34mm.

Thanks for the help,

Pete

Those kind of look like CV flatslides.

If they are, they are probably BST34's off a Suzuki Katana.

I can't help you out identifying them...not the expert there.

But go ahead and tear into them! You will need a few bottles of carb cleaner and a couple hours time.

Spray all the passages clean. If there is major varnish build up from sitting, you may need to get a carb dip, but that's pretty unusual unless it's sat for a REAL LONG time.

Remove each of the jets and run some copper wire through them if the spray does not go through...it will not scratch them.

You should be able to see light through each of them when done.

Reassemble everything that you removed and re-mount them. That should suffice to get the bike at least started.