83 440ltd holding rpms when throttled

Hey all! I picked up an 83 440ltd. its got air pods and shorty mufflers installed. Jets look to have been changed. Idles well enough, but when throttle is applied, it doesn't want to rev back down, and may even start going higher on its own. i've checked for vacuum leaks, dont appear to be any. i've adjusted the air/fuel mix screws to no avail. Any ideas? Thanks!

Do you still have the stock air box available? If not, tuning it may prove to be difficult since it has CV carbs and pods. You may want to send a private message to Nebr_Rex. In his signature line he includes a KZ400/440 cafe project so he might have experience with pods on a KZ440. If so he may be able to provide some jetting advice. Ed

No i dont have it. I'll try to get intouch with him. Thanks!

Jpope85 wrote: Hey all! I picked up an 83 440ltd. its got air pods and shorty mufflers installed. Jets look to have been changed. Idles well enough, but when throttle is applied, it doesn't want to rev back down, and may even start going higher on its own. i've checked for vacuum leaks, dont appear to be any. i've adjusted the air/fuel mix screws to no avail. Any ideas? Thanks!

Like all things mechanical that gets modified you have to start at a base line, i.e. the stock settings.
If you have enough oil in the crank case and clean fresh gas then check your valve lash. After that check your ignition
advance unit for proper function. The KZ400/440 rotate opposite direction of the wheels/other bikes.
What do the plugs look like? [pics]. What filters are you using? [pics]. Is your choke open or closed?
I don't remember the stock jetting off the top of my head you will have to look that up. I think there is a downloadable service manual here or on KZ400.com . If you are adjusting the idle mixture screws on top rear of the carbs some on has been in them
already. What jets are installed now? There is a main jet, a secondary main and a pilot jet. Along with the needle jet and needle
idle mixture screw. Most of the time the secondary main and maybe the needle get changed by the previous owner/"mechanic".


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Attached are photos of plugs and the pod filters. Oil and gas are fine. Not too sure on how to check valve lash or ignition advance unit. The jets appear to be stock.

Those particular filters are junk. I recommend K&Ns or UNIs.
There is a rubber ring inside those filters. That ring blocks the air ports in the ventri of the carb.
That will throw off the air to fuel ratio, especially on a constant velocity type carb.
What do you mean by 'The jets appear to be stock'?
What are the numbers on them?
Who ever worked on that frame needs to take it easy.
Way to much metal removed.


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Oh dear, another one that will spend most of their ownership trying to get it to run right, or will just run it with poor carburation.

kevski wrote: Oh dear, another one that will spend most of their ownership trying to get it to run right, or will just run it with poor carburation....

There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Your ignorance is admirable, God bless your heart.


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Jpope85 wrote: Attached are photos of plugs and the pod filters. Oil and gas are fine. Not too sure on how to check valve lash or ignition advance unit. The jets appear to be stock.

You very much need to get a genuine Kawasaki Factory Service Manual (aka, fsm). It contains a wealth of important information that will save you many times whatever you pay for it. Be sure to get the one that covers your exact year and model. They come up on eBay now and then, and there may even be a link to a free downloadable one on the home page of KZ R.

Getting the carbs on the 440 to work well without the air box can be quit a challeng. Be prepared for some experimentation with jetting and adjustments. Filters that do not block the air jets are a must. There is a great deal of help available here, if you will use it.

Alright, got the carbs apart again this morning. Main Jet appears to be an 88, 2ndary a 65, and the pilot under the plug a 58. I also see now exactly what you mean about these pod filters blocking those air ports. I think these would be a good replacement?

shop.unifilter.com/p/pod-kit-2-pack-i-d-...-lg-3%E2%80%9D?pp=24

Also found the FSM on the web and downloaded it.

Nebr_Rex wrote:

kevski wrote: Oh dear, another one that will spend most of their ownership trying to get it to run right, or will just run it with poor carburation....

There is more than one way to skin a cat.
Your ignorance is admirable, God bless your heart.

Ignorant, No, knowledgeable yes, put flat slides round slides on it will work with pods, CVs No, you either get it performing mid range, bottom and top but not across the whole range, time and time again this subject is broached and no one gets the whole package, but if your attitude is near enough is good enough then go ahead. and although you think my so called knowledge, to you ignorance is admirable, your stupidity is not.

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Jpope85 wrote:

Alright, got the carbs apart again this morning. Main Jet appears to be an 88, 2ndary a 65, and the pilot under the plug a 58. I also see now exactly what you mean about these pod filters blocking those air ports. I think these would be a good replacement?

shop.unifilter.com/p/pod-kit-2-pack-i-d-...-lg-3%E2%80%9D?pp=24

Also found the FSM on the web and downloaded it.

Those filters will work.
The FSM has lots of good info. Clymers and Haynes are good also.
The U.S. versions had sealed idle mixture screws. You will need to look up the European version for specs.


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