Pods, Tk carbs, struggles

Hi all! This is my first post. I have an 82 kz550 ltd I got from a friend. The bike sat for a few years so we replaced some engine gaskets and switched to metal come pods cause the air box was damaged. I was running nice at half choke but had a gas leak on #1 carb. Using the tub method and replacing float valve seat and needle with new aftermarket one. I also oiled the pods. I thought I had everything good and without leaks. I ran the bike on center stand with a fan for about 10 minutes and checked the plugs which looked black which means to much gas right?
I took it for about 1 ml spin with the choke off. It bogged down at about 1/3-1/2 throttle. At about 1 block from home when I hit that throttle point it sputtered and shut off and wouldn't start. After the wall of shame and about 30 min I got it to start again but it idles ruff and I notice a fuel leak again. I think #2 carbs fuel level is a little high but aside from that, WHAT AM I MISSING??????????

If you switched from the standard airbox/filter to pod filters,youll have to rejet the carbs. Dont know what you have to change to,there are others here with far better knowledge than me on that.

Be warned,If you have CV carbs,youre going to have a lot of people telling you that youll never get it running right with pod filters. Youll also get many people telling you that thats bollocks and ,if you do it properly,theres nothing wrong with fitting pod filters to CV carbs.Some people will even site magazine articles and other scources to back them up. Someone will complain that this debate has been done to death,cant we move on. Someone else will start a post with ' When I fitted pods on mine......'.Therell be threats,fights,blood may be spilled and someone could lose an eye!

Jonny - I would recommend you start searching for an air box (How bad was the old one) - you will make your life with the 550 much easier and running reliably (all weather too)
post a pic of your plugs
did you do your levels according to a Kawasaki FSM
and leave the wall of shame to the boat anchors

I suggest you do a search on this site for the word "pods". You will find tons of info to guide you. Ed

I didn't read anything about valve adjustments.
Steve

I meant walk of shame! It's when you have to push your bike home. Auto correct got me on that one.
Yes, I have the fuel level at 3.5mm from the bowl seam. Which is what my clymer manual says.

The old air box is long gone. I know there will be much battling on this subject. I have been reading most of them for the last few months. I have checked e-bay and called the bike salvage yard in Jordan, MN to search for an air box but no luck. They told me they just oil the pods and as long as the plugs look brown they don't jet the bike. I was test driving the bike to see if they were right when it stalled.
What are you thinking with valves?

One of the steps to be done BEFORE going to the carbs.
Steve

Maxs Salvage over there i have always found a good source of used Kwaka parts - great prices compared to this overpriced Country.
Wall or Walk of shame - you dont wanna being doing that again.Fark that pushing it.

I haven't heard of messing with the valves. Why would I need too?

Here is a picture of my spark plugs and one of the pods I am using. Any thought?

Do you have a manual? Those plugs aren't made for the bike. Get some NGK's for it. Most new owners and PO don't want to do the valves due to laziness, cost time or just don't know any better. If your valves are too tight, the bike won't run for SHT, have issues they look like carb issues and burning a valve is a possibility. Once done, they can last for 2-4000 miles. Simple maintenance.
Steve

Those pods are not to be oiled. What parts have you put in the carbs? Rebuild kits? Needles? Jets?

I have a site for those carbs in my signature.

Usually, when resurrecting a bike, you want to start at the beginning.

Compression.
Valve lash.
Ignition.
Ignition timing.
Carb manifold vac leaks.
Carb condition.
Jetting.

There is also a link about the valve train which you should read.
There are also several manuals covering your bike.