[Rwalker]

I have picked up a project 1980 kz 440. The bike is being turned into a bobber and this is my first bike build. With the frame work that was done there is not enough room for the stock air box to fit on the bike. I was able to get the bike to start and after idling for a few moments the rpm started ramping up quickly and turning down the choke kills the bike. I have been reading and watching a lot of discussion around the air box with the stock carbs but I am wondering if you are able to actually get the stock carbs to work without the stock air box or is it a waste of time and just swap the carbs out with a single mikuni carb and not mess with the stock ones?

 

[1981GPZ550]

A single Mikuni carb? Perhaps not impossible but very difficult to make motorcycles of that vintage work without an air box. Earlier non CV carbs were not a problem.

 

[Rwalker]

A single Mikuni carb? Perhaps not impossible but very difficult to make motorcycles of that vintage work without an air box. Earlier non CV carbs were not a problem.

Yes I have seen videos of ppl using a 2 to 1 into a single carb and the bikes ran fine. Just wasn’t sure if that was the best route to go or if anyone had any other recommendations

 

[WFO-KZ]

Have you cleaned the carbs yet? The symptoms you describe sound like gummed up carbs. I would be tempted to research what other 440 owners have done for re-jetting/needle settings when running pods instead of the stock airbox. Have the new jets on hand when you go to clean the carbs.