TOPIC:

My buddy's 76 kz900 runs great at 2000 RPM and higher. When we turn the idle
screw to lower idle, it falls on it's face and dies.
Any clues?

Try adjusting the air pilot screws. There's one on each carb. Turn them all the way in (not too tight!), and back them all out 1 and 1/4 turns. Start it up and hope it idles. The manual says to adjust each screw while the bike is idling by moving it in or out, and listening for the smoothest idle. If the idle goes too high during adjustment, then adjust the idle with the big knob under the tank. It should idle best at about 1 and 1/2 turns out, assuming stock carbs and airbox.
The picture shows the adjustment screw for one carb. It's down at the base, near the intake boot. Takes a flat-tip screwdriver.


Post edited by: ltdrider, at: 2006/11/28 17:28

Thanks ltdrider,

I tried that a few times without luck. Do you think a pilot jet is clugged. Would one clogged pilot jet make the engine stall?

Sorry, cnyl, that's about the extent of my carb adjustment knowledge. You'll have to wait for Wiredgeorge and others to weigh in. 'course, they're going to have to know alot more about the bike, the carbs, and the mods.
G'luck.

Sorry guys... It has pods and a 4 into 1 exhaust. I'm going to check the pilot jets shortly.

Anyone?

Please have some patience... some of us only look in once a day or so. If you need quicker help or tips, drop by my web site and check the Vintage Bike Forum. I check in more frequently.

You didn't mention if the bike in question has pods or aftermarket pipes. You didn't mention jetting. You didn't note whether the bike was timed properly or the coils were getting 12 VDC or the valves were adjusted. You didn't mention whether the service fuel level had been set or whether the bike has a fuel filter, etc. Can you speak to these things? Many times, carburetor adjustments are made to compensate or attempt to compensate for other factors.

Post edited by: wiredgeorge, at: 2006/11/29 09:25

Also the carb holders need to be replaced (if they haven't been) $61.30 at Z1Enterprises .
Mine was doing similar stuff and even though the carb holders appeared fine I replaced them (the seal on the engine side of the carb holder was bad on a couple of them) and no more low idle issues.

The designation on the Z1 site includes the KZ1000 A2A model. Mine is an A3A model with 28mm carbs. This is a longshot, but would anyone know if these carb holders would fit my bike or should I contact Z1? Thanks.

The carb holders for all 903/1015cc engines 73-80 are the same regardless of whether you have VM26/28/29 installed. The OD on all three engine side venturis is about the same. The carb holders shown on the z1enterprises.com web site work fine for a MK II (I have them on my 79 KZ1000E1 ST which has the same cylinder head).

wiredgeorge wrote:

Please have some patience... some of us only look in once a day or so. If you need quicker help or tips, drop by my web site and check the Vintage Bike Forum. I check in more frequently.

You didn't mention if the bike in question has pods or aftermarket pipes. You didn't mention jetting. You didn't note whether the bike was timed properly or the coils were getting 12 VDC or the valves were adjusted. You didn't mention whether the service fuel level had been set or whether the bike has a fuel filter, etc. Can you speak to these things? Many times, carburetor adjustments are made to compensate or attempt to compensate for other factors.<br><br>Post edited by: wiredgeorge, at: 2006/11/29 09:25

I thought I was being patient... Ummmm and I did mention that it has pods and a 4 into 1 exhaust. I don't know about the jetting, timing, fuel level, valve clearance, volts, etc. It does have an inline fuel filter.
That's why I posted my questions... To find out what to do. If I knew I wouldn't have posted.
Just seems strange that the bike was running awesome and then decided not to idle under 2000.

ejshotgun wrote:

Also the carb holders need to be replaced (if they haven't been) $61.30 at Z1Enterprises .
Mine was doing similar stuff and even though the carb holders appeared fine I replaced them (the seal on the engine side of the carb holder was bad on a couple of them) and no more low idle issues.

Thanks, I'll let my buddy know about that.
Just trying to help him out ya know.