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KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
- Jimbo68
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13 Oct 2023 11:20 #890429
by Jimbo68
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Replied by Jimbo68 on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
Thanks.
There is a bend on your choke link, and in the manual, that I don’t think is in mine. I’m reluctant to bend it unless I’m certain it’s the right thing to do. What are your thoughts about the performance of the RHS carb if, when the choke is on, there is a gap betwixt valve and internal chamber? i.e., I leave it as is?
There is a bend on your choke link, and in the manual, that I don’t think is in mine. I’m reluctant to bend it unless I’m certain it’s the right thing to do. What are your thoughts about the performance of the RHS carb if, when the choke is on, there is a gap betwixt valve and internal chamber? i.e., I leave it as is?
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
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13 Oct 2023 12:32 - 13 Oct 2023 13:05 #890433
by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
What I'd do is first separate the carbs, leaving the choke linkages where they are. Then, working on the side with the choke lever, actuate the linkage, making whatever adjustments are needed, to get the choke flaps to open and close properly. You might want to loosen the butterfly screws slightly for this part, and only tighten them after you have the butterfly properly centered in the carb throat. Once you get the choke lever side working well, move to the other side and again, play with the choke flap alignment before snugging the screws back down.
It's possible that the choke flap shafts are bent. So if you can't get the mechanism to work smoothly, I'd remove it and roll those rods on a flat surface, to assure they are not bent.
It's possible that the choke flap shafts are bent. So if you can't get the mechanism to work smoothly, I'd remove it and roll those rods on a flat surface, to assure they are not bent.
Last edit: 13 Oct 2023 13:05 by Nessism.
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14 Oct 2023 02:33 #890464
by Jimbo68
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Replied by Jimbo68 on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
Is it possible to start up the bike with the carbs in place a using an auxiliary fuel tank, without the main tank in place? I’m wondering whether it can be done without the vacuum hose being connected to anything. Is that possible?
I’d rather check the carbs are working ok before the tank is reinstalled.
I’d rather check the carbs are working ok before the tank is reinstalled.
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
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14 Oct 2023 02:40 - 14 Oct 2023 02:40 #890465
by Jimbo68
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Replied by Jimbo68 on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
A bit gutted to find a split in the top side of the plastic diaphragm holder on the vacuum piston. The bottom side is fine and the integrity of the diaphragm appears ok.
Any suggestions? A replacement piston is £300. I can’t afford that. So it’s make do, or mend.
I was thinking of a couple of G clamps and glue, but that risks cracking the holder further. Or some silicon sealant, simply to fill any possible breaches in the air-tightness.
Any suggestions? A replacement piston is £300. I can’t afford that. So it’s make do, or mend.
I was thinking of a couple of G clamps and glue, but that risks cracking the holder further. Or some silicon sealant, simply to fill any possible breaches in the air-tightness.
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Last edit: 14 Oct 2023 02:40 by Jimbo68.
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14 Oct 2023 08:09 - 14 Oct 2023 08:13 #890474
by TexasKZ
P.S. A golf tee, small bolt, or even a pencil can be used to plug the vacuum line. I reckon vice grips will do the job as well.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
Replied by TexasKZ on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
Yes. That is the usual way to do the final adjustments. The vacuum line must be plugged, else that carburetor will have a wickedly lean mixture. I use an old, plastic lawnmower fuel tank. I have an appropriately bent wire shirt hanger through the two mounts, designed so I can hang it on one of the hand grips. I also installed an inexpensive on-off valve in the new fuel line. It was very cheap and works like a charm.Is it possible to start up the bike with the carbs in place a using an auxiliary fuel tank, without the main tank in place? I’m wondering whether it can be done without the vacuum hose being connected to anything. Is that possible?
I’d rather check the carbs are working ok before the tank is reinstalled.
P.S. A golf tee, small bolt, or even a pencil can be used to plug the vacuum line. I reckon vice grips will do the job as well.
1982 KZ1000 LTD parts donor
1981 KZ1000 LTD awaiting resurrection
2000 ZRX1100 not ridden enough
Last edit: 14 Oct 2023 08:13 by TexasKZ.
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14 Oct 2023 11:17 - 14 Oct 2023 11:18 #890480
by Nessism
Replied by Nessism on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
All these photos of your carbs show them to be so dirty, it's hard to understand what you have.
This slide seems to be a match, and isn't overly expensive...
I may have a spare too, but shipping is expensive...
https /www.ebay.com/itm/ 145305084676 (remove extra spaces)
This slide seems to be a match, and isn't overly expensive...
I may have a spare too, but shipping is expensive...
https /www.ebay.com/itm/ 145305084676 (remove extra spaces)
Last edit: 14 Oct 2023 11:18 by Nessism.
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16 Oct 2023 13:52 #890551
by Jimbo68
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Replied by Jimbo68 on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
Thanks Nessim.
That is as clean as I could get them with carb cleaner and a brass toothbrush. I guess they have been neglected for some time.
Cheers for the link to the reproduction piston. It’s a pity there isn’t more detailed photos but the description is certain about the fit.
That is as clean as I could get them with carb cleaner and a brass toothbrush. I guess they have been neglected for some time.
Cheers for the link to the reproduction piston. It’s a pity there isn’t more detailed photos but the description is certain about the fit.
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
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16 Oct 2023 17:00 #890557
by Nessism
Honestly, the best thing is to remove all the soft parts, ungang the parts, then soak the bodies in carb dip solvent. That will clean the internal passages.
Replied by Nessism on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
You photo shows that the pilot screws weren't removed. Or did you do so and put them back already?Thanks Nessim.
That is as clean as I could get them with carb cleaner and a brass toothbrush. I guess they have been neglected for some time.
Cheers for the link to the reproduction piston. It’s a pity there isn’t more detailed photos but the description is certain about the fit.
Honestly, the best thing is to remove all the soft parts, ungang the parts, then soak the bodies in carb dip solvent. That will clean the internal passages.
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- Jimbo68
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17 Oct 2023 04:06 #890562
by Jimbo68
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Replied by Jimbo68 on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
Thanks Nessim.
yes, I have removed everything and cleaned all metal parts with carb cleaner, and replaced all o rings. Now reassembled.
I didn’t remove the piston diaphragms to wash them. Reluctance due to the split in one of the plastic diaphragm holders (see earlier picture). I thought I might make that worse. The pistons themselves were very clean and slide well.
I'm almost ready to reinstall them on the bike and test with a remote fuel tank. Just waiting for new spring bands for the air cleaner ducts.
yes, I have removed everything and cleaned all metal parts with carb cleaner, and replaced all o rings. Now reassembled.
I didn’t remove the piston diaphragms to wash them. Reluctance due to the split in one of the plastic diaphragm holders (see earlier picture). I thought I might make that worse. The pistons themselves were very clean and slide well.
I'm almost ready to reinstall them on the bike and test with a remote fuel tank. Just waiting for new spring bands for the air cleaner ducts.
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
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20 Nov 2023 06:22 #891861
by Jimbo68
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
Replied by Jimbo68 on topic KZ440 LTD Carburettor Tear-down
Hi folks.
Carb rebuild is complete and appears to be a success so thank you everyone that contributed here. Much appreciated.
Salut!
Carb rebuild is complete and appears to be a success so thank you everyone that contributed here. Much appreciated.
Salut!
1981 Kawasaki KZ440-A2
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