what is this on the side of my carbs?

i have stock BS34's and i see this tube like thing on the side and it's all mangled up but the others are perfect.

i just need to know what it is and if it can or needs to be replaced.i cant find it on the carb diagrams i have.

That is part of the enrichment circuit (aka Choke) for cold-starting. That tube extends from the top part of the carb, down past the carb body and into either a hole in the float bowl or another place where it sits in fuel. It picks up fuel for cold-starting when the "choke" plunger or lever is actuated. As you probably know, there's no real "choke" on these carbs, where the mixture is enriched by reducing the air. Essentially, it opens a secondary vacuum pathway that pulls air and fuel into the carb at a much richer mixture than just what the jets do once the motor is warmed up. I've never seen anything like the one you have, I mean, it looks like the tube was crushed, almost. Most likely, buggered up by a pair of pliers or something. Unfortunately, I'd say you need a new carb body. What number carb is that? I mean, for what cylinder? And what bike is it off? I have a carb body that I ordered and don't need from an '81 or 82 Spectre, I think. I am unsure of the number, but I can look tomorrow after I get home from work. Let me know. The one I have is the #1 cylinder carb.

that sucks. but it's on the far right cylinder. which i don't know the number, but i'm guessing it's not 1.

Correct, that's #4. Oh well, don't have any of those, unfortunately!

thanks anyway. but where did you get yours and how much did it cost.

you could just use the carbs you have if they have not been giving you any trouble. at least 3 out of the 4 have a working choke

Yeah for the cheap thats what I was thinking. Especially considering when I got the bike it was only starting with choke on one carb in 40 degree weather. That was before I fixed the choke mechanism on the side where it controls all 4.

I scored both carbs I ordered from eBay. I think they were like twenty-something a piece with shipping.

That's a steal. Everywhere I'm finding them for about 70 to 100 each.

For a complete carb or just the body? I'm talking just the body itself, nothing else.

oh im talking about complete carb.

I looked at your signature and you got an 81 KZ1000? i dont know if these bodies will do you any good but i have a good carb body off of a 1982 KZ1100... I got them off of my 81' KZ1000 LTD when i first bought it. Could never get the bike to run right with those carbs so i took them off, pulled the apart, and threw them in a box. I think they have a larger bore though.. Somebody should come along soon and tell me and you whether they will work or not.