Adjusting Fule Level on 29mm's

bambam wrote: hi i have a 1984 zn 750 ltd it starts realy bad cold
i've cleaned the carbs
but i don't have a book for the float adjustments
someone told me to check maybe the valve clearance
the motor has 71000km on it
it's a Canadian bike some place it looks like the U.S. and Canadian ltd were different
can anyone help me ?

Hello, bambam, and WELCOME to KZr!

Would expect the FSM (Factory Service Manual) to cover all necessary carb info, including tuning and maintenance, as well as specified fuel heights in float bowls.

Valve clearance should be measured and adjusted as needed to meet specs, but isn't related to fuel level.

Differences between U.S. and Canadian versions of the same model may include internal carb parts such as jet and needle sizes, and perhaps addition of anti-smog equipment on U.S. models.

Could compare parts diagrams available at kawasaki.com which often show differences between the U.S. and Canadian models.

Meanwhile, starting a new topic regarding 1984 zn 750 ltd may likely elicit better and more specific responses.

Good Fortune!

I rigged a tester as suggested in this thread. My manual suggests 1/8 in. from the top of the bowls. Here a picture of the results.



O.K., so it actually looks like it is more than 1/8 of an in. below the top of the bowls. But here is the problem I am having. Fuel is coming out of the overflow. What gives? I would have guessed if the level is lower, then the fuel should not be reaching the overflow. Anybody have any thoughts on this one? Thanks in advance.

Well, I just had an epiphany as I was bringing the bike in for the night. I think the fuel level is fine. What may be happening is the overflow tube inside the float bowl cover is damaged (most likely at the base during the rebuild). Therefore, the fuel is entering the overflow tube from the damage area and not the top. Well, I will confirm it tomorrow. Had enough for today.

I was able to pull the float bowl off this afternoon. I confirmed the overflow tube is somehow leaking. Filled the bowl halfway up the tube with fuel and then, drip, drip drip... Not sure how and where. I may try hammering it in one direction. If it leaks more I'll hammer in the opposite way. Bummer!

KZJOE900 wrote: I was able to pull the float bowl off this afternoon. I confirmed the overflow tube is somehow leaking. Filled the bowl halfway up the tube with fuel and then, drip, drip drip... Not sure how and where. I may try hammering it in one direction. If it leaks more I'll hammer in the opposite way. Bummer!

Joe, I had one of the brass overflow tubes in my VM26 carbs that had developed a very small lengthwise crack. It exhibited the same type of symptoms. I had to look real hard, but finally found the small hairline running the length of that brass tube. I dried out the float bowl and rinsed it well with water. Then I was able to solder up the crack which seemed to hold fine until I quit using those carbs. I suspect that you will find the same issue. Good luck.

Thanks for the heads-up Testarossa. You stopped me before going loco on it with a hammer. I will polish the tube to see if I can see a crack. If so, I will take your suggestion and solder it. Keep you posted. Thanks again.

Thanks to Testarossa, I was able to find a vertical hair line crack on the overflow tube. I repaired as he suggested by soldering it. Worked like a charm. This has saved me many hours, miles and money on a replacement bowl. Thanks again Testarossa!

BEFORE


AFTER

That looks just like the crack that I found. I guess that even a blind squirrel finds an acorn now and then. Glad I could help.