1980 KZ440 B carb question

Hello Folks,

A new member. I just added this bike to my stable as a get me the through the boring winter project and it's partially a "bike-in-a-box". Quick question; I searched but couldn't pin down what carbs came stock on this bike. The box has a set of Mikunis but the PO wasn't sure if these were the OEMs or not. I do all of my own work and I know how tight the fit is for the carb racks but these Mikunis seem simply too wide front to back to fit betwwen the airbox boots and the intake boots. Anyone know if the OEMs are Keihins or Mikunis? Thanks.

Courtesy of wiredgeorge, 13-5-2005:

Hmmm I was thinking that these 440s used Keihin CVs... didn't notice the initial comments. I am not sure I can recall seeing a 440 with Mikuni carbs. They may...
Essentially, the same Keihin carb(s) are used in the KZ250 (single), KZ305, KZ440, mid-80s 700 LTD, and many of the 4 cylinder 750 models from 1980-1983. These are harder to find parts for. No pilot jets that I can find and the primary main jets are real hard to find as well. The secondary main jets which are usually called just main jets in other Keihin carbs, are the same as those carbs and these are easy to get.

Good Fortune!

Thanks for the info; I suspected the Mikunis weren't stock. Well, I've been down this road many times before so let the fun begin. Old bikes, the gift that just keeps on giving...

One final, related question please...do the manifold carb boots from the various 400/440 models interchange? I could use a new pair and I've located a set from a 76 400.I "think" the 400/440 heads are spaced the same? Same size carb spigots? Thanks for any help.

Sorry for the double post: My BlackBerry apparently stuttered...


[The duplicate post has been deleted.]

Mainerider wrote: Hello Folks,

A new member. I just added this bike to my stable as a get me the through the boring winter project and it's partially a "bike-in-a-box". Quick question; I searched but couldn't pin down what carbs came stock on this bike. The box has a set of Mikunis but the PO wasn't sure if these were the OEMs or not. I do all of my own work and I know how tight the fit is for the carb racks but these Mikunis seem simply too wide front to back to fit betwwen the airbox boots and the intake boots. Anyone know if the OEMs are Keihins or Mikunis? Thanks.

My 1980 KZ440B1 came with 36mm Keihins. Although, they also came to me in a box. Still, I think those were the OEM items.

mwriders wrote:

Mainerider wrote: Hello Folks,

A new member. I just added this bike to my stable as a get me the through the boring winter project and it's partially a "bike-in-a-box". Quick question; I searched but couldn't pin down what carbs came stock on this bike. The box has a set of Mikunis but the PO wasn't sure if these were the OEMs or not. I do all of my own work and I know how tight the fit is for the carb racks but these Mikunis seem simply too wide front to back to fit betwwen the airbox boots and the intake boots. Anyone know if the OEMs are Keihins or Mikunis? Thanks.

My 1980 KZ440B1 came with 36mm Keihins. Although, they also came to me in a box. Still, I think those were the OEM items.

Great; Thanks, that is helpful in pinning down the stock venturi sizing.

Mainerider wrote: One final, related question please...do the manifold carb boots from the various 400/440 models interchange? I could use a new pair and I've located a set from a 76 400.I "think" the 400/440 heads are spaced the same? Same size carb spigots? Thanks for any help.

I know that the boots on the intake side are not interchangable between a 400 and a 440, but the boxes themselves are (400 boxes accept 440 boots). It took me a couple of months and three boxes to figure that out. Don't know about the intake side, as I just bought an aftermarket set for the 440.

Patton wrote: Courtesy of wiredgeorge, 13-5-2005:

Hmmm I was thinking that these 440s used Keihin CVs... didn't notice the initial comments. I am not sure I can recall seeing a 440 with Mikuni carbs. They may...
Essentially, the same Keihin carb(s) are used in the KZ250 (single), KZ305, KZ440, mid-80s 700 LTD, and many of the 4 cylinder 750 models from 1980-1983. These are harder to find parts for. No pilot jets that I can find and the primary main jets are real hard to find as well. The secondary main jets which are usually called just main jets in other Keihin carbs, are the same as those carbs and these are easy to get.

Good Fortune!

The primary jets are available from Jets R Us, as are the secondary mains, which as Patton says are sold simply as main jets. The primary mains are sold as "slow/pilot" jets.

Mainerider wrote: One final, related question please...do the manifold carb boots from the various 400/440 models interchange? I could use a new pair and I've located a set from a 76 400.I "think" the 400/440 heads are spaced the same? Same size carb spigots? Thanks for any help.

This is one of those “good news/bad news” things. The bad news is that according to Kawasaki.com the KZ440 and KZ400 use different carb holders. The good news is that the KZ440 carb holders (part number 16065-1027) are still available. Ronayers.com lists them at $29.50 each. Ed

Thanks for the info; I'll order them up.