Carb installation

I am working on a 76 kz750 - is there a trick to installing these carbs? I can't seem to get them to slide into the rubber part on the engine. Someone took them off before I bought the bike so i dont know if there is more to it than just a slip on deal.

They should be snug. If they've been off for a while you may need to grease them.
Steve

Another question about these carbs. Does a line have to go on this fitting, and where does it go?

That's the fuel overflow port. tubing should be installed so that fuel will be directed away from a hot engine, such as when a carb float malfunctions or after a crash. route the tubing behind the engine, forward of the swing arm & away from the chain & mufflers. some models have a little hose guide to keep the tubing in place.

As for installing the carburetors, make sure the carb holder clamps are floppy loose. also, if the rubber is hard, you may need to replace them. liquid wrench silicone spray lubricant is handy.

Thank you very much for the info. With any luck I will Have it running tonight.

If It were me I'd get new boots unless you know they aren't too old already, The rubber dries out, hardens and get microscopic (or bigger) cracks that cause vacuum leaks both in the body and where they mate with the head. Same goes for the airbox boots if you are still using it. I put a fresh set of airbox boots on my bike yesterday and it was amazing how much easier the carbs were to reinstall

I am missing parts for the air box so I will likely not be using it. I'll have a hard look at the rubber later. Can't imagine replacements could cost that much. In all likelihood the ones on it are original equipment

If you are not going to run the air box, you will become a pro at installing, removing, rejetting and adjusting the carbs. Try putting the words "pod filters" in the search box on this forum and spend some time reading.

Sardonicus wrote: I am missing parts for the air box so I will likely not be using it. I'll have a hard look at the rubber later. Can't imagine replacements could cost that much. In all likelihood the ones on it are original equipment

You can get full sets off ebay for less than $100.

Clamp on filters will probably cost about $20. I may go back later and bring things back to stock because I think it looks cool just the way it was meant to look but for now this is a really low budget project. My goal is to get it road worthy for under a grand and I think it's doable. Tires will be a big expense. Not sure yet which tires I'm getting but seems like no matter what I choose it's not happening under 250.

If you're talking about switching from the original airbox to clamp on air pod filters, I suspect it will give you carburetor issues as they are designed(and jetted) for the original airbox. Changing the amount, and force, of air/vacuum/suction in the system will most likely require different needs from the carburetor.

Break out your checkbook if you plan to put pods on those CV carbs. The $20 for the pods will only be the ante to get in the game. You'll also need the parts required for re-jetting, and the odds are pretty slim that you will get a set on the first try that makes the bike run halfway decent. Of course, if you want it to run as well with pods as it did from the factory you may be in for a long wait and more $$$. Ed