Idles great, dies when giving it throttle

I have an '82 KZ440 A1 with Keihin CV36 Carbs. Cleaned carbs (sparkling clean), rebuilt carbs. It is idling great choke on and off. However, when I give it throttle, it spits, stutters, coughs & dies. If it does catch, it's at very high throttle and takes off like a rocket. Not good. There was a slight leak at the vacuum hose ports (for synchronizing). Fixed that. Replaced the gaskets at the intake manifold. Throttle cable adjustment is fine-not too loose, not too tight. What am I missing????? Please help! Thank you

Pics of plugs? CV carbs?
Steve

Gaskets at the intake manifolds? Wasn't aware that Kawasaki ever used any. Manifolds may be leaking.

New plugs, not fouled out. I don't know if Kaw originally did have gaskets. The bike came with fabbed plates at the manifold, so a gasket is necessary. They aren't leaking with the new gaskets. Yes, Keihin CV36.

Spark advance move freely?
Steve

I haven't checked that. I will now!

Gads! Didn't realize that was so big! Sorry folks!

Interesting. Assuming (dangerous) that there are no leaks around the manifolds and that the timing advancer is ok, there is a possibility that the carb slides are not opening perperly. This can be caused by cheap pod filters partially or fully blocking a small port in the mouth of the carbs. Torn diaphragms or binding needles or slides might also cause such symptoms.
Has the bike run properly since you have owned it?

Is the airbox/filter installed? If the answer is no the next question is whether the carbs have been rejetted and if so by whom and how do you know they are correct?

BTW, those intake manifolds are not stock. Any air leaks in said manifolds will throw off the fuel mixture and make the bike run like crap.

Your symptoms are classic air leak at the carb mounts. I know you just replaced the gaskets, but there's potential for air leaks at multiple spots with that set-up. I just checked Partzilla and the OEM carb mounts are still available @ $21.70 ea. For less than $50 you'll save yourself a whole bunch of headaches. I'd replace them and go from there.

My 83 550M1 with CV carbs was doing this as well last week. Are you running with the stock airbox or pod filters? Either way - if they aren't mounted/on, throw them on. I threw on my pod filters and let it warm up a bit longer (10-15 minutes or so total?) and the issue went away for me.

sketch wrote: My 83 550M1 with CV carbs was doing this as well last week. Are you running with the stock airbox or pod filters? Either way - if they aren't mounted/on, throw them on. I threw on my pod filters and let it warm up a bit longer (10-15 minutes or so total?) and the issue went away for me.

If you don't rejet after installing pod filters your engine will be running drastically lean, and that causes heat and (likely) subsequent engine damage.