83 KZ550C Progress, But Still Questions

Howdy again. My previous post was regarding the pilot jets and the air/fuel screws. Thanks again for the replies. I received the Keyster carb kits and have them installed.  I mic'd all the floats at 4 mm. Bike starts under choke, of course, and after warming up idles good. But, bike is reluctant to start moving under its own power, with enough revs it'll go. Rode once down the driveway and down the block, but bogs at low speed. When sitting at an idle it doesn't want to take a quick twist of the throttle, but will slowly rev just fine and revs above 2000 are readily accepted. I checked the timing advance cam and it turns freely.  I'm using air pods from eBay instead of the OEM air box. Also using a non-vacuum petcock from eBay.  So, maybe one of you can save me some time with the following:
1.  I read some previous posts about the air pods. Should I get blockers, go back to original air box, or just what is the best option?
2. Could the petcock be a problem? Should I go back to the original vacuum operated petcock? Better?  I worked it over, but not sure if the diaphram is up to snuff.
3.  Should I go down the road of attempting to adjust air/fuel mixture screws? Suspect that could help.
Thanks again. Much appreciated
 

It's the pods.  

Thanks Nessism ! I guess I'll go back and re-evaluate the airbox. Just remember it was a pain to remove, but if that will put an end to the issues its probably worth it.  I did the air pods because I liked the look and the promise of simplicity. Lesson learned.  Appreciate the links to the previous posts. Especially impressed with your 750 rebuild. I didn't do a frame off, but in hindsight I can see the benefit of doing so.  My 550 looked a little worse than yours. Kept outside as well. Paid 250 and probably still too much. But I still believe I can make a decent looking bike once I get the run issues ironed out.  Cosmetics will come last.  Thanks again!
 

DVarney3 wrote:

Thanks Nessism ! I guess I'll go back and re-evaluate the airbox. Just remember it was a pain to remove, but if that will put an end to the issues its probably worth it.  I did the air pods because I liked the look and the promise of simplicity. Lesson learned.  Appreciate the links to the previous posts. Especially impressed with your 750 rebuild. I didn't do a frame off, but in hindsight I can see the benefit of doing so.  My 550 looked a little worse than yours. Kept outside as well. Paid 250 and probably still too much. But I still believe I can make a decent looking bike once I get the run issues ironed out.  Cosmetics will come last.  Thanks again!

 

Don't forget the brakes once it's running before you road test. You are approaching it in the right order by doing the cosmetics last - we have a phrase in the UK "you can't polish a turd" !!!!

Yes sir. Brakes already been done. Might be my first bike at age 65, but not my first rodeo.
 

I'm ordering all new rubber boots along with the filter.  So what's going to be the trick, correct method for getting everything back in place. I'm assuming put the airbox itself back in its place and then somehow fit the four rubber air boots into place between the airbox and carbs? My apologies and hope I'm not asking too much, but any tips on that?
 

Each bike is a little different when installing carbs.
My 1000R I just did a week ago went fairly easily, having new boots to the airbox.
How I did it:
First I installed the boots and carb holders. Installed the clamps and spring holders too, loosely.
Attached the throttle cable/s while the carbs were held on the right side.
I should have also installed the fuel and vacuum hoses now, but did not. And they were a pain once the carbs were in.
There was room to bring the carbs in high, above the holders and boots, so I did so.
Once the carbs were slid in far enough, right above thier proper positions, I brought them down and worked them forward into the carb holders.
The boots to the air box, being soft, just got pushed down.
Once the front of the carbs were in the holders far enough, I worked at the boots with my fingers to wrap them around each carb.
Tighten the clamps once all together.

DVarney3 wrote:

... I'll go back and re-evaluate the airbox. Just remember it was a pain to remove,

old ducts can be hard. new should be soft and pliable. easy to install. brakes. if not already done. replace the rear brake shoes. assuming they're old.