SOS carbs possibly

So I just traded for a 1980 kz440 LTD A1 and im have a bit of an issue. When i start the bike and give it gas the rps jump to around 5000rpm and stay there. I do know that the clutch lever is sloppy but I can help but think this is a carb issue. Any help is very appreciated.

faceplant15000 wrote: So I just traded for a 1980 kz440 LTD A1 and im have a bit of an issue. When i start the bike and give it gas the rps jump to around 5000rpm and stay there. I do know that the clutch lever is sloppy but I can help but think this is a carb issue. Any help is very appreciated.

Perhaps an air leak through old hard cracked carb holders.

One testing technique is to spray WD40 around the carb holders while the engine is idling, and watch for smoke from the exhaust which indicates that the WD40 is being ingested and combusted.

Might also be a mechanical malfunction in the throttle mechanism, such as a throttle cable adjusted too tightly, or an internally frayed throttle cable, or need to lube the cable, or kinked cable, etc.

Good Fortune!

.

yeah im going to check to see if its installed correctly

Ok so i looked at everything today no vacuum leaks and the air box in installed correctly but one of the carbs fuel lines was plugged and now im trying to figure out exactly how they go. Also under the gas tank is a big line that i cant figure out where it goes. So if anyone could tell me the position of the fuel line it would be a huge help. the way there ran now is carb 1 and are connected via splitter and run to the petcock then there's another that runs from the petcock to in-between the carbs and there are 2 on the bottom of the carb at are run together.

faceplant15000 wrote: Ok so i looked at everything today no vacuum leaks and the air box in installed correctly but one of the carbs fuel lines was plugged and now im trying to figure out exactly how they go. Also under the gas tank is a big line that i cant figure out where it goes. So if anyone could tell me the position of the fuel line it would be a huge help. the way there ran now is carb 1 and are connected via splitter and run to the petcock then there's another that runs from the petcock to in-between the carbs and there are 2 on the bottom of the carb at are run together.

under the gas tank is a big line that i cant figure out where it goes


The line in question will likely appear on the applicable parts diagram which will also include the name of the line.

Lots of good info on kawasaki.com, including parts diagrams, part numbers, models sharing same part, availability, etc.

Here's a link for help with navigating the site and finding information.

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_kunena&...w&catid=13&id=376734

Good Fortune!

The vacuum line from carb that furnishes vacuum to the petcock is also a possible source of vacuum leak.

The line might be cracked or fitted too loosely at the carb or petcock.

Good Fortune!

faceplant15000 wrote: Ok so i looked at everything today no vacuum leaks and the air box in installed correctly but one of the carbs fuel lines was plugged and now im trying to figure out exactly how they go. Also under the gas tank is a big line that i cant figure out where it goes. So if anyone could tell me the position of the fuel line it would be a huge help. the way there ran now is carb 1 and are connected via splitter and run to the petcock then there's another that runs from the petcock to in-between the carbs and there are 2 on the bottom of the carb at are run together.

Racing idle, absent vacuum leak, casts increased suspicion toward a mechanical malfunction in the throttle mechanism, such as a throttle cable adjusted too tightly, or an internally frayed throttle cable, or need to lube the cable, or kinked cable, etc.

Good Fortune!

The big hose under your gas tank is possibly a breather hose that is attached to the valve cover. The two hoses on the bottom of the float bowls are fuel drains.

Also, check for a missing/damaged throttle return spring. Maybe your choke/fast idle mechanism is sticking, causing the high rpm's?

I Had the same problem. Let me tell you from experience, these carburetors are a bitch to tune. I was runnning a custom 50/50 grind cam, drag pipes,15/33 sprocket setup, and pods and cudnt get teh bike running right. Ur best bet is to build a manifold like i did and get one single carb. If u need help i can send you pics of mine and show ya how to make it. I have total of around 150 int eh whole setup with everythign completely new, and let me tell you teh bike runs like a bat out of hell up to 120 mph then the power is gone.

Thanks for all the advice im gonna try again tomorrow armed with more knowledge:woohoo: