1982 KZ750 Carbs = 1981 KZ 440LTD Carbs?

[boschat]

Are the carburetors on a 1981 KZ440 LTD the same as on a 1982 KZ750?

They have all the same part numbers and the same manufacturer.

If they are the same then Kawasaki is crazy cause the pats for the KZ750 are almost half the cost as those for the KZ440.

The vacuum valve for the 440 is $185. The same exact part (same part number) for the 750 is $104. Does anybody know the deal?

[StarGate]

No idea what vacuum valve you're referring to. If it's the same Kawasaki part # then it's the same part. Double check the parts at kawasaki.com

[boschat]

The big vacuum diaphragm that is in the tops of the carburetor. I looked on bikebandit.com at the diagrams and they say its the same part, part number, and the picture is the exact same same. I'll double check on Kawasaki.com but I didn't see that they have older bike parts on there?

[StarGate]

At kawasaki.com you can pull up the parts diagram then click the part # for any item and see what other bikes that part # was used on.

[boschat]

Just checked out Kawasaki.com. The part number prefix is the same for both bikes (16126) but there is a dash and then a second number (1044 for the 440 and 1057/1039 for the 750 spector). Alot of times these secondary numbers don't mean the parts vary at all, only that they are assigned for different models.

Aren't all of the carbs from 81-83 of the same type and from the same manufacturer Keihin (spelling) just in bundles of two or four?

[A2rider]

May be wrong, but I would say that the 750 carbs are going to bigger than the 440's.

[boschat]

They're both 36mm

[A2rider]

Wow! That surprises me. I would go to the sticky at the top of this section. wiredgeorge motorcycle carburetors - Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Carburetor Sales, Rebuilding and Restoration - Home is the place to get help with carbs. He answers questions and may be able to help.

[StarGate]

No there were a lot of them that got Mikuni carbs. Mine being one of those.

[StarGate]

Hmm looks like that carb was used on the 440s of that time.
KZ440-A1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ440-A2 (LTD) (1981)
KZ440-A3 (LTD) (1982)
KZ440-A4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ440-D1 (LTD Belt) (1980)
KZ440-D2 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D3 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D4 (LTD Belt) (1982)
KZ440-D5 (LTD Belt) (1983)
KZ440-G1 (1982)

[boschat]

thanks A2rider. I'll call him tomorrow.

Stargate, I saw alot of them with Mikuni, but I thought if it was a Keihin of the same diameter its got to be compatible.

[StarGate]

The diaphragm may be compatible but it would probably be cheaper to buy a complete rack of used carbs from ebay and use for parts than it would be to buy a single new diaphragm.

[A2rider]

Originally Posted by StarGate

Hmm looks like that carb was used on the 440s of that time.
KZ440-A1 (LTD) (1980)
KZ440-A2 (LTD) (1981)
KZ440-A3 (LTD) (1982)
KZ440-A4 (LTD) (1983)
KZ440-D1 (LTD Belt) (1980)
KZ440-D2 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D3 (LTD Belt) (1981)
KZ440-D4 (LTD Belt) (1982)
KZ440-D5 (LTD Belt) (1983)
KZ440-G1 (1982)

My poor little 650 carbs are VM22's. I feel cheated!

[boschat]

OK, just found a site that is a link from wiredgeorge motorcycle carburetors - Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Carburetor Sales, Rebuilding and Restoration - Home.

Its NRP motorcycle carburettor repair specialist. They have new diaphragms for about $62. I don't know what shipping is gonna be but if its only $20-30 its a deal.

Those used carbs on e-bay are 25+ yrs old. The rubber is significantly degraded and its only a matter of time till those tear.

[A2rider]

George is the man, I kid you not. Carbs is what he does for a living and nothing else.

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by boschat

Those used carbs on e-bay are 25+ yrs old. The rubber is significantly degraded and its only a matter of time till those tear.

Mine are almost 28 years old and look like new. They also work flawlessly. It's really going to depend on how the bike/carbs were maintained and stored. If you can get it for 62 then thats a pretty good deal though and I'd probably take that if I needed one.

[boschat]

OK, took out the torn carburetor diaphragms and bought some "super black" RTV. Went to the lab and got a spatula (tiny for measuring chemicals) and applied the RTV in extremely thin layers (liek filling holes in a wall, taking care that there was no excess left) until I had about four layers of material for super thin patches over the tears (both sides of the diaphragm). The bike is super fast now and feels as if its totally fixed. I'll report back if there are any problems.

[boschat]

Oh yeah, almost forgot, I called the manufacturer of the diaphragms and they are exactly the same for the 440 and 750, but the slides are different. Therefore there may be compatibility problems.

[StarGate]

Will be interesting to see how well this holds up. Let us know how it goes because a repair method would be nice to know if it does hold up.