[schneide]

Hi all, I'm brand-new to the Kawasaki forums, having just purchased one this past weekend, but had a question for you all. My new ride, a KZ305 from 1982, has some initial difficulty starting. When I choke it, I can get it started okay, but have to keep the throttle up so that the engine doesn't die. I generally have to keep the throttle up for maybe three minutes, after which I release the choke and the bike will idle just fine (ie, without me having to give it any throttle). Apart from this, the bike runs great - no stalling when riding or anything of that nature.

My question is simply: is this something I should be concerned about? I know I should let it warm up a few minutes before riding, and had planned on doing that, but should I be concerned that it won't idle initially without having some gas? My only other bike (a Honda Rebel) was one I had in college, ten years ago, and this was never an issue with it.

I appreciate any feedback you all can give me.

 

[BillyBobby]

Very typical for carbed bikes of that vintage. It's because of EPA mandates and the very lean mixtures needed to meet them. Your bike's behavior sounds pretty normal.

 

[schneide]

Thanks for the response!

 

[alton]

hello iv got an 86 kz305 ltd i just picked up for 200.00 anyways i pulled the carbs thay are clean i put a new battery in it and started fine with choke ran good for a min turned off choke and it started reving up and pulsing it revs vary hi so i thought the throttle was sticking so i hit it a little to try to release it and thare wasent any throttle response at all its like the bike has a mind of its own it will rev up then go down rev up and go vary hi when it revs down i hit the throttle and its like it isent even there any help would be great thanks