running rich

hey guys. i own a 1979 kz650 and i have a quick question. my bike i running really rich and i wanted to know how to fix said problem. right now i believe the carbs are flooded. if i put the choke on all the way the bike will die. so i thing believe there is too much fuel passing through. i appreciate the help guys!

I would check the needle and seat for each carb, and check the float level as well. Also check your petcock to make sure it is not leaking.

koolaid_kid wrote: I would check the needle and seat for each carb, and check the float level as well. Also check your petcock to make sure it is not leaking.

+1 to checking float levels.

the petcock isnt leaking. so how would i go about checking the float level? also when i got it back from the garage a while ago they said i would have to get it rejetted.

If your bike was running fine before you dropped it why rejet? Does your shop truly believe dropping the bike caused a jetting problem? :blink: Is there something you're not telling us? Did you remove the air filter or change the exhaust? In any event, look at the link below for checking the fuel level in the carbs. Ed

www.kzrider.com/forum/2-engine/592868-oi...ed-spark-plug#623481

no that just recently happened. i got it back from the shop on nov 23. its been running rich this whole time. you can smell fuel when riding.

I had a similar issue with my 550.
Granted, my fuel economy isn't prefect but I did at least get rid of the gas smell.
I cleaned the carbs, synchronized them and then adjusted the idle speed. Voilà, gas smell gone.

Mark Stark wrote: no that just recently happened. i got it back from the shop on nov 23. its been running rich this whole time. you can smell fuel when riding.

OK. Given that, does your bike have the stock carbs, air filter, and exhaust system? If so, your carbs need to have stock jetting, needle position, air screw and/or pilot screw position, be synchronized properly, and have the fuel level set correctly. If the carbs are set to the stock settings, the float valves are operating properly, the carbs are clean, and you have the stock air filter and exhaust system you should not be experiencing a rich fuel condition. However, if a shop or previous owner has screwed up the jetting or other settings, the fuel levels are not correct, or you have a float valve sticking open, you could experience a rich fuel condition even with stock air filter and exhaust. Ed

hey thoraxotool! im new to all this stuff. so how would i go about doing all of that.

650ed the carbs have been rebuilt.

Mark Stark wrote: 650ed the carbs have been rebuilt.

No disrespect intended, but in many cases that increases the likelihood of the floats being the issue. I picked up a set of carbs for cheap and my GPz for cheap for exactly the same reason: the floats were set incorrectly.

Would also sniff-test the crankcase oil and examine its physical quality, because the oil may have become contaminated (diluted) with raw gasoline from the overflowing carbs.

If so, don't run the engine anymore until the oil and filter have been changed and the overflow issue resolved.

Good Fortune!