Hi!

I just got a '82 kz440, 11,000 miles. When warm it runs beautiful all the way around, nice smooth idle, good response, good power. The only thing is, i need to use the full choke to get it started, even in 80degree weather. The manul says I should be able to start it with no choke when it is that warm out. But this old gal's gotta start with the choke full on. It will then run roughly for 30 seconds before starting to rev up to > 3000 rpm and I have to close the choke juuuust a little to get the rpms down. If I turn off the choke now it will stall. I have to slowly close the choke for about 3 minutes before it will idle nice with the choke full off.

Is this just because it's old, or do i need an adjustment? I changed the oil, plugs, air filter, and gas (there was old gas in the tank when I got it).

George

 

Hmm.. even my bike needs a choke in hot weather occasionally..

i'd suspect a little garbage in the carbs. doesn't sound like a sync issue..

try runnig a bottle of a good carb sleaner like techron thru it.. see if it clear up..

we can hope its an easy fix!!

 

Ya, that's what I am trying. I just need the time to run a couple tanks of gas through the old gal. I always used the old Marvel Mystery Oil in the gas for a carb cleaner in my other old bikes, i will give it a shot...

G.

 

hmm, was not aware of the Marvel Mystery Oil being used for carb cleaning. I used it for oil injection on my corvairs quite successfully.

 

The rubber carburetor mounts on the cylinder side are leaking. That's why you need so much choke. Tiny hairline cracks that allow more air, requiring more fuel. As they warm up, (over 150 degrees) they expand, seal up, and it runs fine. Get new carb mounts and it'll clear right up.

 

Hmm perhaps you are right. I have looked over the boots pretty thoroughly, and they look really good if they are as old as the bike. But rubber that old could be cracked, easy. I will look for a set. In the meanwhile, I will check for air leaks....Thanks!

 

and MMO can/may seal or coat up a crack.

 

Good way to check:
While its idling, spray a small amount of carb cleaner on and around the boots. If the idle goes up, theres a leak. Don't spray too much 'cause the intake will pick up the carb cleaner and give you a false result.