carb cleaning/ adjustment

i have my carbs out and i just finished cleaning all the jets and passageways and such. everything looks good but i want to know if there is something that i am forgetting to do, or should adjust before i install them again. im new to this and would hate to have to pull them out again. when the engine was running i was noticing an odd knocking noise on the left side of the engine so i dont know if the that was because of the carbs or not. anyway im rambling now, advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks


82 kz550 LTD

hello

I dont want to make you fell stupid but did u actually pull both main and pilots out and look threw them. The only reason i say this is i see this alot where people said they cleaned thier carb by just pulling the bowl of and spaying break clean. Im sure you pulled everything and did it the right way. i always take float needles out and clean them make sure there not sticking by putting them back in and the floats turn the carb over so they are right side up and just manually tap your floats up and down with your finger and whatch the needle make sure its moving right along.

2nd note is it a ticking or nocking top or bottom. start with your spark plugs ive seen the gaps close up on them and when that happens it will make a tick and usually run like crap.

Hope this helps

While you have the carbs off the bike set up a stand and do the clear tube test for fuel level. They may not need to be adjusted, but if they do it will be easier with them off the bike. Ed

yes i took out all the jets and the needles too. the noise was much more of a knocking and i think it was coming from near the top of the cylinder, i will definitely change the plugs and see if that helps. also thank you ed i will do that as well. do you need to buy the tube from kawa or can you just use some tubing from the hardware store? thanks

chances are you will take them off again so don't waste any time and just install them.

Is it a knocking sound or a ticking sound?

EDIT: Reread posts and see it's knocking. Oops!

If you can find online or make a carb tool that screws into your drain plug and has clear tubing attached that should work best. If not, some folks just find clear tubing that is a snug fit in the drain hole and use it. It doesn't need to be special Kawasaki tubing as it will only have fuel in it for a few minutes during the test. Do a search on this site for "clear tube test" and you may find some examples. Ed

check the vent tubes for cracks although they are hard to see make sure they are clean before you repair them. I wonder if jb weld would have worked.

ohh crap i just realized that the boots i ordered say they are for models up to 1980......mines an 82. does anyone know what the difference is and if i can make them work for my bike?