Z1 vs. KZ900 Airboxes

I'm seeing Z1 airboxes going cheaper on Ebay than KZ900 boxes. Most of the sellers are describing them as fitting either bike. I thought there were distinct differences that made it not practical to use the two interchangeably. I'm running into that problem a lot on Ebay where sellers descriptions is off. So what's the true story on the airboxes. It's gotten down to I don't even want to buy one that's listed specifically for the KZ900 because the picture looks exactly like one sombody else is selling for a Z1.

Z1 air box is a practical option for KZ900.

Good Fortune!

The KZ900 and 1000 air intake is a lot harder to work with than a Z1 airbox. Also a lot harder to find and when installed they cover the battery, which is down low on the KZ900 and 1000's. I restored a 1980 LTD and put a Z1 intake on it because I wanted access to the battery. It's not a correct resto but it works for me.

I put a Z1 airbox on my 78 1000LTD. Fits perfect and leaves lots of room.

Hmmm.. thanks everyone.. now I'm considering staying with the pods since the KZ box is too expensive and a Z1 won't be a true restoration anyway.

Do yourself a favor and toss the pods in the trash bin and get a airbox.

GregZ wrote: Do yourself a favor and toss the pods in the trash bin and get a airbox.

i hear this often. with a high flow 4 into 1 and pods, you should have more power. so why do people hate the pods?

NapalmZ wrote:

GregZ wrote: Do yourself a favor and toss the pods in the trash bin and get a airbox.

i hear this often. with a high flow 4 into 1 and pods, you should have more power. so why do people hate the pods?

This has been discussed a lot on every carbureted bike forum, here is my version of the short version.

With a stock, or mildly modified engine, pods do not make more power. In fact, they often make less than the factory setup. There are dyno runs to prove this.

The carbs (especially the constant velocity type) were designed to function with a large, well tuned plenum and can be almost impossible to tune properly without one.

A strong crosswind can cause the upwind, outside carb to suddenly go wicked lean.

Some folks report that they have had trouble in heavy rain.

On a heavily modified engine, that flows more than the stock box can handle, or that have large aftermarket carbs, individual filters are the only option.

ymmv

There was a copy of a well-written magazine article we saw here a while back that explains why pods are so difficult to tune correctly. We'll see if we can find it.


Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

TexasKZ wrote:

NapalmZ wrote:

GregZ wrote: Do yourself a favor and toss the pods in the trash bin and get a airbox.

i hear this often. with a high flow 4 into 1 and pods, you should have more power. so why do people hate the pods?

This has been discussed a lot on every carbureted bike forum, here is my version of the short version.

With a stock, or mildly modified engine, pods do not make more power. In fact, they often make less than the factory setup. There are dyno runs to prove this.

The carbs (especially the constant velocity type) were designed to function with a large, well tuned plenum and can be almost impossible to tune properly without one.

A strong crosswind can cause the upwind, outside carb to suddenly go wicked lean.

Some folks report that they have had trouble in heavy rain.

On a heavily modified engine, that flows more than the stock box can handle, or that have large aftermarket carbs, individual filters are the only option.

ymmv

thanks, guess ill put the box back on.

I have to say that if you use a Z1 airbox you should use some wire or fab a bracket to help support the weight. There is too much weight on the carb holders and they will fail eventually if the airbox isn't supported. Also, any carburetor assembly can be tuned to use pods; most folks feel strongly about this issue one way or the other so I will not get into a debate but tuning isn't hard for either round slide or CV carbs. I have jetted literally hundreds of sets of both with pods. Do I use pods? No... don't like the effect when a truck goes by in the opposite direction. They surge. Do pods add more power... not so you would notice. The only true positive is that they are easier to install.

is that true with the kz900 box too? i heard there is a distinct difference between the kz and z1.

i am looking at your ignition coil mod in another tab.