tuned for airbox but swapping to pod filters

Hey everyone
Just got my kz650 csr's carbs tuned
I had bought pod filters but the mechanic insisted on tuning it with the air box.
What complications am I going to have (sync,air fuel mixture) if I just switch them afterwards

He insisted on using the air box so he could tune them before his social security kicked in.

You can expect the engine to run lean probably weak at 1/4 - 1/2 throttle opening from being too lean because needle taper won't be right. You'll probably need to go up on jet sizes, I never tried it so I have no recommendations.... except to buy an airbox. :laugh:

there is nothing wrong with the airbox, see how you like the power then upgrade.

jbalet666 wrote: Hey everyone
Just got my kz650 csr's carbs tuned
I had bought pod filters but the mechanic insisted on tuning it with the air box.
What complications am I going to have (sync,air fuel mixture) if I just switch them afterwards

Your mechanic did you a huge favor! You need to be sure to send him a Christmas present. He could have installed the pods and then spent the next 9 months trying to tune the bike so it ran as well as stock, but he would have charged all that labor to you! What is your rationale for wanting pods - just looks? Ed

I had a good thing going, the top 9 of the recent posts were mine, thanks Ed.
The stock air filter should be used along with the exhaust.

Thanks for all the help guys!!

I figured it would run lean
Just making sure that nothing catastrophic would happen
I'm planning on changing the jets as well anyways
thanks for the insight

I'm switching to pods partly for looks as well as letting the engine breathe doing a cafe so a little extra performance never hurt plus I like the look

Never mind. The bike is an 82 which should have CV carburetors... good luck with it.

martin_csr wrote: What exhaust system? Do not ride the bike until you get bigger jets. Z1Enterprises.com has them.
The bike was jetted lean from the factory, so pod filters are going to make it more lean. The 81 CSR has VM24 mechanical slide carburetors, so pod filters shouldn't be as problematic as a bike w CV carbs. Keep in mind that it may not run right at certain rpms.

For pod filters & 4-1 aftermarket exhaust, you'll need ~117 main jets & ~ 17.5 pilot jets.
I don't know what sizes you'd need for just pod filters.

This info may or may not be correct. As stated, the 1981 KZ650-CSR (H1) did not have the CV carbs, but the 1982 and '83 KZ650-CSR models (H2 & H3) did. Based on an earlier thread, I believe the bike in question is a 1982, so if the jetting advice was based on the 1981 carbs it probably does not apply to the CV carbs. CV carbs are going to be more of a challenge to try to tune so they perform well from idle to redline with pods; no doubt that's one reason the mechanic used the airbox - he is nobody's dummy. It would be very helpful if the year/model were added to the signature line. Ed

jbalet666 wrote: I'm switching to pods partly for looks as well as letting the engine breathe doing a cafe so a little extra performance never hurt plus I like the look

Good luck trying to get "extra performance" from pods on a stock engine. You should read "In Search of a Free Lunch" in link below. Professional tuners compared performance between pods and airboxes using dyno and track runs rather than "seat of the pants" instinct. They were not very impressed. If looks is all that matters then have at it; but be careful if you come up next to a KZ650 with an airbox who wants to race. :laugh: :laugh:

www.mediafire.com/?7ttgomzmmjz

I don't like the pod filters, the airbox at least keeps the filter mostly dry.