1983 KZ550 LTD Problems

[AlexP1289]

Here is my bike: YouTube - My 1983 Kawasaki KZ550 LTD


Hi,
My name is Alex, I'm new here so here goes. Recently my father gave me his old 1983 KZ550 LTD, believe it or not it only has 6,452 miles on it. The bike has lived in my shed for ages, the last time it was out for a drive was in 2001. Note that it has always been very well taken care of and so has the shed so it is virtually brand new (its now in my garage and i have spent days cleaning it to look like its still on the show room floor). Now that its sparkling clean, my dad had a family friend who knows a lot about motorcycles come over and clean the carburetors (I'd say it took my friend 4 hours at most), don't question his ability to do carborators (he has done engine swaps and much more i don't know about), so he cleaned them and put them back on. it started right up, when we were looking over it watching it run we noticed that one of the cylinders was not firing very well (we could hear it kick in and try to move, but dont know what the problem could be), so thats still undecided on what to do about that. The other problem im having is that when my dad puts it into 1st lets the clutch out with some gas it sounds like it wants to die on him (if u try it a couple times it will go on most occasions). Also i need to adjust what rpm it idles at, so if someone can give me an EXACT rpm number to set it at please do tell.

Thanks in advance,
Alex Pierce

[antiq]

I'd clean the carbs again and set the idle at 1100 rpm. Wouldn't hurt to check that the floats are all set at the same height. After sitting so long one cleaning usually isn't enough

[antiq]

Second thought. You could try a good injector cleaner added to the fuel. It might finish the job if the floats are set right. Spray some start fluid on the rubber boots holding the carbs while it's idling. If there's no change in rpm you have a good seal. If it idles faster at some point you have an air leak. I'd also inspect the airbox to be sure the filter and box are clean.

[AlexP1289]

Thanks,
I know that the air filter and air box are clean because i replaced the air filter as part of regular matanance.

[AlexP1289]

Also my dad and i just today thought it may be the fuel filter clogged with varnish so. Where would the fuel filter be i cant see it just by looking at the bike i think something needs to be taken off. Can someone tell me how to get to it?

[antiq]

Someone will correct me here if I'm wrong. I believe there is a filter screen in the petcock. Check to see if you have good flow through the hose to the carbs. If you do just get an inline filter.

[A2rider]