Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

  • quantity
  • quantity's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 29
  • Thanks: 10

Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

19 Mar 2026 01:34
#922345
Putting together a good fuel system is the last part of my project. Progress has been kind of slow but I want to do this right. I'm curious what other people here have done with similar engine mods. I know it can vary a lot I just want a general idea of what worked and what didn't work. Open to suggestions. Maybe save myself some time and $.
I built the engine for my KZ400 with +4mm pistons, shaved the head .5mm, light head porting, electronic ignition & coil relay, and I have an aftermarket 2-1 exhaust that might go on. It has higher compression and an extra 48cc over stock.
I tried a couple different things with my Mikuni setup but decided to use the factory Keihin CV32 carburetors off my 78 KZ400B parts bike. It was garage kept even after it slid on pavement so they are in nice rebuildable condition. A test fit showed they fit in the 74 frame well and line up with the factory airbox even with the narrower carb spacing of the later engine, so I'm using that too.
I ordered rebuild kits and a few different size jets from Dime City Cycles. My question is should I expect a big increase (or decrease?) in jet size? The engine will pull more air and thus more fuel so maybe it'll land pretty close to factory jetting? There is a jet under the rubber plug and I'm still not 100 percent clear on what it does, just that it's fed by the main jet. I'm learning as I go here so any info and advice is appreciated. 
74 KZ400 - 446cc

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • quantity
  • quantity's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 29
  • Thanks: 10

Re: Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

19 Mar 2026 01:40
#922346
Some photos of the carbs for your viewing pleasure:

 

 

 
74 KZ400 - 446cc

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • zed1015
  • zed1015's Avatar
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 3262
  • Thanks: 1963

Re: Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

19 Mar 2026 01:49 - 19 Mar 2026 02:06
#922347
You are likely to only need an increase of the main jet.
The jet fed by the main is the pilot jet and shouldn't need touching.
 
AIR CORRECTOR JETS FOR VM CARBS AND ETHANOL RESISTANT VITON CHOKE PLUNGER SEAL REPLACMENT FOR ALL CLASSIC AND MODERN MOTORCYCLE CARBURETTORS
www.kzrider.com/forum/23-for-sale/611992...lide-mikunis?start=1






Last edit: 19 Mar 2026 02:06 by zed1015.
The following user(s) said Thank You: quantity

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • quantity
  • quantity's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 29
  • Thanks: 10

Re: Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

20 Mar 2026 22:10 - 20 Mar 2026 22:13
#922430
Thanks zed that makes sense. These have two main jets and I ordered a few different sizes of each so I should be good to go. I'll update later with what ends up working best.
I made a note for my own reference might as well share it here too.
stock:main 70 second main 90 pilot 35
ordered:main 68, 70, 75, 78
second main 88, 95, 98
pilot 35
74 KZ400 - 446cc
Last edit: 20 Mar 2026 22:13 by quantity. Reason: formatting

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • quantity
  • quantity's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 29
  • Thanks: 10

Re: Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

29 Mar 2026 23:21 - 30 Mar 2026 11:08
#922626
Over the past week I finished cleaning and reassembling the carbs, did a bench sync, and set the float levels. Installed them tonight and it started up and idled perfectly. Runs great but the exhaust smells rich. Right now it has a 78 main jet and 95 second main (needle/pilot) so I'll go down a size or two and see if that helps. Float levels set right in the 1-3mm spec so I hope I don't have to change that. Dial in the jets and do a vacuum sync is all it needs at this point. 
 
74 KZ400 - 446cc
Last edit: 30 Mar 2026 11:08 by quantity.

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

  • quantity
  • quantity's Avatar Topic Author
  • Offline
  • User
  • User
    Registered
  • Posts: 29
  • Thanks: 10

Re: Jetting CV32 carbs for bore increase & other mods

11 Apr 2026 12:34
#922951
It runs great with 98 second main (needle jet) and 75 main jets. Spark plugs look good, no excess smoke out the pipes and the exhaust doesn't smell rich. They were pretty close with a bench sync but I used a vacuum gauge to get them dialed in just right and it is a joy to ride. Really happy with the result. Great low-end and throttle response, rock solid idle, and on the highway it picks up a lot faster than the stock 400.
74 KZ400 - 446cc
The following user(s) said Thank You: Nessism

Please Log in or Create an account to join the conversation.

Moderators: Street Fighter LTD
Powered by Kunena Forum