Carb rebuilding video?

I'm going to attempt to rebuild the carbs on the 79 KZ1000 Shaftie I picked up last week.  Anybody have any suggestions for a good, comprehensive video to watch?

VM carbs like yours are easy to rebuild, other than the accelerator pump which can be fiddly.  The key to doing a good job is to take them apart and clean each body and all the jets in carb dip.  You don't need "carb kits" you need new float bowl gaskets and an O-ring kit, both of which is available on ebay.  Also, check the condition of the fuel tee and transfer tubes, and if the rubber is deteriorated budget for some new metal replacement parts.

This tutorial should help.   gsarchive.bwringer.com/bikecliff/images/vm_carb_rebuild.pdf

Carburetor work isn't that hard. The same thing is done 4 times on a lot of stuff & most parts only go back together one way, so it's kind of hard to mess up. Use good fitting tools to avoid damaging the brass bits. Don't order anything until you've got them apart & verified.  In many cases you only need to replace gaskets, o-rings & rubber bits. I've only done one set but it seemed easy. previously, I had removed the bowls & stuff under there. then did the full teardown.

As already noted, VM carbs are fairly easy to rebuild.  Most of the brass parts will be fine to re-use, with the following possible exceptions.

Needle jets - they protrude into the carb throat and can wear due to the sliding action of the needles.  If gas mileage is suffering this is one likely cause.  The needles and needle jets work together to restrict gas flow, and any wear will allow more flow than necessary.  I will normally replace both during a carb rebuild and have seen much improved fuel economy as a result.

Choke plungers - there is a gasket on the underside of the bottom of the plunger.  It is supposed to prevent leakage into the carb during normal operation but after years of use it stops sealing effectively and gas will bypass the gasket.  Trouble with the choke circuit is most noticeable when attempting to synchronize the carbs on the bike while running...it becomes very difficult to set properly.  Aed1015 is able to replace the gasket for a nominal cost.

Get some small containers and keep all parts with their original body. Main and pilot jets not to critical. But floats, float needles and seat and slide are important to keep with their original body. I use blue tape to make notes on the containers as to parts found bad and even to note which body and parts are soaking and the date and time they went in the soak. Tape can then be removed and the containers are ready for the next rebuild.

 

 

Thanks guys.  I've got carb dip, carb spray and little tubs.  I did already order kits, based on what it's "supposed" to use.  Tools aren't an issue.

Isn't there an accelerator pump that should be rebuilt as well?

I dont know the last year it ran, but I'm guessing the early 90s, at best.  The carbs are from the donor bike, and that last ran in 87.  

wrote:

Thanks guys.  I've got carb dip, carb spray and little tubs.  I did already order kits, based on what it's "supposed" to use.  Tools aren't an issue.

Isn't there an accelerator pump that should be rebuilt as well?

I dont know the last year it ran, but I'm guessing the early 90s, at best.  The carbs are from the donor bike, and that last ran in 87.  

The issue with carb kits is that they typically don't have all the various O-rings you will need.  And yes, replace the pump diaphragm.

This kit looks like it does.  I guess I'll find out when I tear into them, lol.  My problem is, I forget how to put something back together if it's more than a week or two after I take it apart.

wrote:

This kit looks like it does.  I guess I'll find out when I tear into them, lol.  My problem is, I forget how to put something back together if it's more than a week or two after I take it apart.

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