breather or plug

78 kz650b. Just about done rebuilding the carbs and some pictures are showing 2 vent lines coming off the carb bodies. Mine had 2 rubber plugs instead. Does it make a difference? Vm24's. Thanks

I guess it depends upon which ports you are talking about. If they are the bowl vent ports then they need to be open to the atmosphere or the carbs will not work correctly. They provide atmospheric pressure on the fuel in the bowls, which is what allows the fuel to be pulled up via the jets in the carb. Here is a pic of the connections on the vm24ss carbs. This set has the vent ports on #2 and #4 and it also has a vacuum port to attache to a vacuum petcock on #2.

It's is the vent ports on the #2 and #4 carbs but instead of having a vent hose, they both have plugs. Exactly like these:http://www.z1enterprises.com/ItemDetails.aspx?itemDescription=Carb+Holders+%285%29+Vacuum+plugs&item=KL11-4972. I'm assuming I should be using hoses and not plugs. I'm just confused as to why it ran with them plugged. Or does it not make a difference?

It does make a difference. Unplug them and install tubes that run toward the rear of the bike. Mine terminate at the air box cap. Ed

Any reason they would have been there to begin with? The guy I bought the bike from had a bunch of stuff Jerry rigged. I'm just wondering if this is something he may have done to rectify a different carb issue