650 Mod's 78 Fighter Build

Ah ok, so you're in the lucky end of the spectrum. That could be the case with things aging, but everything in the unit is fresh- the diaphragm, the o-rings, the round seal under the tap... I'm at a loss.

I have the same problem with my 1000. I haven't had time to get into it but I'm suspecting the diaphragm plunger has a sharp edge on it that is hanging up so the o-ring can't seat. I was planning to pull out out and polish a small radius on it so it can move freely.

I haven't been able to put it to practice but that's my theory.

GPZ- I like your thinking on this... Maybe it's worth me draining the tank again and seeing what I can find in that area, see if the plunger or-ring is maybe getting hung up. I'll have to make sure there's no gas junk anywhere and clean it up well again. It's just frustrating dealing with the same issue so many times and not fixing it fully... If you get to yours before me, please let me know what you find with it.

Alright, Wrench, this one is for you.

I have roughly 500km on the Dyna ignition now, and all I can say are positives with it. Incredibly easy cold starts even if I let the bike sit for 4-6 days. Choke on, touch the starter and she fires right up. It pulls WAY harder and smoother than with the points. overall, if you can afford to do the swap, do it! It's pretty easy to do (minus a few little tricky bits in interpreting the Dyna instructions).

I finally ordered in some B7ES plugs to see if that helps to clean the plugs up a bit. Nowhere in town had them, which I found kind of strange in a town of 110,000 people with tons of auto and small engine shops. So once the plugs get in, I'll be sure to get some mileage on them and do a good plug check.

One question- while cruising in fifth gear at roughly 1/4-1/3 throttle, the bike sounds like it "burbles" a bit. I'm not worried about it as it doesn't seem to affect performance. But I'm just wondering if anyone has an explanation? Remember it's running pods, 720cc kit, dyna jet stage 3 kit, 4-1 exhaust. I'm thinking it's a mix of the exhaust and pods. No biggie.

Devin

"Burbling" can mean rich. It could be on one carb.
Steve

Hey Devin,

Thanks for the update on your Dyna install & performance. I am definitely going that method soon after i get my bike up 'n running & bugs worked thru. New exhaust too.
What's the deal w/ your petcock? I just went thru a head scratcher on this too & finally pulled the trigger on a new petcock from Z1 that is made for zuki but fits kz & others here say works. Mine is not rebuildable due to tophat plunger style
But now i have every piece to rebuild the later O-ring style (even the spring) so if it helps, i've got ur back. Just lemme know.

Steve- if that's the case, I know which one it is... that damn petcock diaphragm is starting to give out on me again... any suggestions for a simple on/off tap? Something like a pine would be what i'm after.

Wrench- no worries, anything to help a fellow rider out yeah, that's a good call with the ignition and waiting a little. Best to be safe. As for that petcock... i'm ready to throw the thing out. I out a rebuild kit on it this spring, and changed every part over that the kit came with. Seemed to not let any fuel past for maybe 400km or so, but now it's starting to suck fuel again I feel. On cold starts, it kicks some unburnt fuel out the tail. Then like Steve was suggesting- low to mid range cruising the bike has a burble, which could be that petcock cylinder pulling fuel again... so i'm thinking I just say f#*k it and buy an on/off tap and call it a day. Could you possibly link me to the petcock you got? I'd like to see this one. I also need to get an in line fuel filter on the bike... every once in a while a jet catches something and the bike will stumble. One small bug worked out at a time... all I care about is that I have a sweet ride that no one else has in my town

I actually got some good comments about the bike when I went to my Kawi dealer who is partnered with a guy that does old British and Harley work. His mechanic and I had a good chat about the work I did and how much he loved it. Turns out her had a '73 Z1 but sold it! Then the owner came out and admired it and said the same thing- awesome work with the bike, definitely paid attention to detail and he really approves of it feedback like that is killer.

Thanks guys!

Devin

I depend on my reserve. On/off won't work for me. I don't like to push. That Susie petcock looks pretty good. I have two inline filters. Any dirt bike shop will have them.
Steve

Yeah, good call with the reserve... you can never be too safe. Especially up here. On the highways there's sometimes a bigger gap between gas stations as we have a lower population in the area. I'll have to look into that suzi petcock. As for the filter- my local shop has those ones in stock so i'll grab one.

Thanks Steve!

Hey Devin,
On my fat finger phone here so bear with me. The Suzi petcock is documented by a few fellow KZRs here & Z1 on their web site. Mine's on the way now.
Hopefully i can link it here:
www.z1enterprises.com/product/KL18-4359

I've had to pull the tank up while riding and cock it sideways to get every drop out to get to the gas station. I don't let it get that low like I did in my terrible 20's but on the FWY going up the I 15 and hitting reserve gives me another 17 miles. That's why the filters are so important. Sucking all the crud from the bottom can make for one FK"ed up day. :whistle:
Steve

Wrench: thanks buddy! I'll have to take a peek at that link and maybe snag one!

Steve: that sounds like it would make a ride veeerryyy interesting haha. Yup, I fully agree with the filters. I don't know why I didn't do it before...

Devin