best sport touing/cruiser carb ?

I have searched most of the 288 pages of carb forum and have found alot of valuable info for which I thank everyone. I have a 1980 kz1000 g1 that has been converted to vm26 carbs. Tha bike has 17,000 miles- new rings new 3 angle valve job, stock cams, dyna s ignition, wires, and green coils. The carbs were rebuilt by carbmasterrebuilder in Oregon, The compression is around 150 on all 4. I have ridin the bike for aprox 1500 miles since new top end and it runs very good but not great in my opinion.I know there are numerous factors involved in a fine running engine.I am 57 and don't need a drag racer. I want a smooth running quick bike that I can put alot of miles on, and occasionally nail and scare myself. I would like to spend my income tax refund on some new carbs. Would Keihn cr 29s be ok around town and well suited to cruising? I also have 2 sets of vm28s with pumps- would I be better off having them rebuilt or C- none of the above?- Opinions,oberservations,suggestions,jokes or insults welcome. Thank you, Scott

The 26's are easy to work on, tune, and very "around town" friendly - probably (in my opinion) the best low end response.

The 28's with pumpers *should* give you good low end response and more power on the top end (more air flow).

The VM29's or CR29's will cost a ton more (I would think) to buy than rebuilding the 28's.

I would say you probably just need the carbs adjusted on the bike.

What are your complaints?

Thanks Doubledub, It's not really a complaint but I'm just looking for a little more out of it. Like I said , I realize there are many factors in a great running bike- I would just like to know that my carbs are not the week link in the chain. I know the keihn cr 29s would be close to $900 , but if they'll work for my intended use - so be it. Thank you, Scott

My KZ1000st has an 1105 kit and 395/385,102/108 cams,runs great with the 28s.
If I were you I'd go with the 28s and degree your stock cams.

Thanks Nebr Rex, Can you give me more info on degreeing the cams?

Check the file base.
Lots of good info there.
Some old man :whistle: from AZ. Wrote a complete artical on the subject.

Thank you Sir , I will do that

Here you go
kzrider.com/filebase/doc_download/451-mo...egreeing-for-zombies

Thank you very much moneypit!

Hi Scott. I know that the 29 smoothies really woke up my 1000 when I replaced the 26's. If you were looking to buy a new set of carbs I bet those CR29s would do the trick. I also believe that the 28 pumpers are well regarded if slightly more difficult to tune due to the pump. I like Neb_Rex's advice on this subject.

HI Josh, I remember you telling me that changimg to the 29 smoothbores was like going from a 2 barrel to a 4 barrel on a small block. I'm leaning towards the keihn 29s because they would be new and several knowledgeable people including yourself seem to like them. I'm hopeing to hear from someone who has them on a basically stock bike. I also think they would work well if I go 1075 later. . I looked at the website you gave me regarding vintage Bike night and am looking forward to going to one. Thanks for your input, Scott

Scott, good questions. You have basically the same engine I have on my Z1-R. I started with the stock 28mm pumpers with pods. Then I went back to the factory air box with a K&N. It ran well with the factory air box and the 28 pumpers and it would scare you at times.
Then I swapped on a set of 29 smooth bores with pods once again. HUGE difference all the way around. Very good "drive-ability" everywhere in the RPM range. Much better midrange and top end.

As far as the CRs go, I hear they are a great carb also, but I never ran them. The guy that BEAT me out of my 29s was running CRs on his bike before he put the smooth bores on it. He says they are comparable in performance, but he was a drag racer and really couldn't tell me how the street manners are.
I know buying a set of $500-800 used 29s is a crap shoot nowadays, so the next best thing is new CRs or RS Mikunis.
It's not absolutely necessary, but for maximum benefit from these style carbs I would probably run pods with a set of CRs instead of the factory air box. I don't know what exhaust you are running, but a good 4-1 header is pretty much mandatory to take advantage of the better breathing carbs.

Check these CR kits out. Good deal going here:
www.dynoman.net/carb/keiCR.html