1980 KZ1300 - Bad Day at the Office

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robin1731
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Spring Update

#601

Post by robin1731 »

Does it have brass floats? If so it's possible one has a pin hole. I have one here right now from an H1 that needs replaced. I've never seen one of the black one's get "saturated" though.

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1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Spring Update

#602

Post by Lucien Harpress »

It does have the black floats. I've heard about them getting old and losing buoyancy, but never actually saw it happen. I seem to remember even testing mine and thinking it looked okay....

Just in case, I put an order in for an OEM float valve replacement. It said they were still available, so I guess we'll see.

Worse comes to worse there's a guy on the kz1300.com forums who custom makes brass replacement floats. I'd like to avoid paying $120 for those if I can help it, though...
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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robin1731
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Spring Update

#603

Post by robin1731 »

I've seen a lot of the black floats. Never have I had one that absorbed fuel. Brass I have had a few. Honda and Kawasaki. One from a 73 H1 here right now that is bad, brass. Sometimes you can solder it back closed. Other times the heat builds pressure and just pushes the solder back out. I have about a 50% success rate with that.

One other thing to look at. In the bowl. Is there a brass tube the comes up from the bottom for a vent/over flow? Look that over very close and see if it is cracked/split. I've run across that a few times too. First time was on a 69 CB750. Have one from a KZ here too. They can be "fixed". You can also replace the tube with one from another bowl or just replace the bowl. But check that too. Just fill the bowl with gas while holding it. See if gas starts to leak out.

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Spring Update

#604

Post by Lucien Harpress »

I know for a fact that these carbs don't have any kind of overflow. A lot of guys don't like it, because if you forget your petcock and have removed the fuel solenoid (like you should), the gas has no place to go except into your airbox and/or engine.

Not sure if I've mentioned it (and I'd forgotten myself), but the float valves used don't have a rubber tip- they are metal on metal. They're also not connected directly to the floats- the needle is held captive in the seat by a small clip. It drops open under its own weight (not the weight of the floats as well), and is closed by a tab that contacts the top pin of the needle, but is not connected to it. It all works the same, but an interesting quirk, nonetheless.

In any case, I'm still waiting on word if the OEM float valve I've ordered is available or not. Regardless, I was told it's supposed to rain all weekend- perfect opportunity to pull the carbs and take another look-see. Maybe clean the outside of them up a bit, too...
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Spring Update

#605

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Well, I got my carbs off and apart today. Swapped out my aftermarket float valve for an OEM replacement (which are still available, FYI). I DID notice they were different, but I have no clue if this will affect or fix my problems.

Just for fun, I pulled the floats from two of my carburetors- the one having issues, and one running just fine. I filled a container with fuel, and plopped both floats in side by side. Sure enough, the float from the problem carb was sitting a touch lower than the one from the good carb.

Here's the thing, though- the way I figure, this would only be a problem if I set the float level via a dry method, like you do on a Goldwing carb. The different float buoyancies would result in different levels. HOWEVER- the levels were set via the wet method, which you do by comparing fuel levels directly. Wouldn't this compensate for the differences in the floats?

The big reason I'm asking is that I actually have access to a set of brand new brass replacement floats. Someone over on the KZ1300.com forums hand-builds them. I guess I'm wondering if they're worth getting, or is what I have good enough?
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Unnecessary Upgrades?

#606

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Well.... here's where I'm at after the last couple weeks.

I have a theory that the float in the No. 3/4 carb has been bad for a while. I had a bent rod in cylinder 3 when I bought the bike, and when I pulled the floats from the carbs and compared them, the float in that carb was lower than the other two. Also, I have ALWAYS had what I think is an overly-rich condition in cylinder 3 (loud popping and snapping from exhaust) and wet plug issues from both cylinders 3 and 4 both.

While I could've listened to others' better judgement and just reset the middle carb's float level (because, even though the black composite float set lower, it didn't actually sink, and these carbs are set by wet level anyway), I may have pulled a classic "me", and when ahead and spent way to much for a hand-build set of brand new brass float replacements.

Image

Now, I give props to the guy who made them. They look awesome, and floats for these carbs are one of those things that doesn't exist.

Image

Here's the only issues- even though the guy that built them said he pre-sets the float level, for me all three end up with a fuel level in the carbs that was way to high. So now I get to play the, "spend 30 minutes checking fuel level, tear everything apart to adjust the float tab, then re-check float level, and repeat" game.

Not saying this is a good idea or not. Just throwing out information... :roll:
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#607

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Because work on my 1300 has been woefully lacking this summer, I want to take two seconds to offer you an insight into my mind, and the logic of my thought processes.

-Cylinder 3 (and to a lesser extent 4) running rich.
-Check stock floats. Carb float for cylinders 3 and 4 sits a bit low.
-Not an issue. Floats are set by wet level only.
-Spend $80 on a replacement set of (handmade) brass float anyway.
-Spend two months resetting float levels.
-FINALLY set all three carbs to a happy level, because the brass floats are very touchy.
-Get carbs back on bike.
-Find replacement stock float on Ebay.
-Buy float.
-Get ready to pull carbs AGAIN, so you can put the two good floats back in, along with new ebay float.
-Wait, I have to set fuel levels again?!

Welcome to my life.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#608

Post by duke182 »

Ain't it fun being a motor head?
Doing things once and done wouldnt be any fun.
God bless those who protect our freedom, at every level

Knees in the breeze makes miles of smiles

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Barney T Weasel
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#609

Post by Barney T Weasel »

Anything new on this thread Lucien?
GL1000 '75 model Blue....heading to rat, then cafe racer then full resto...owned 33 years.
http://www.dungbeetlebiker.com/forum/forum.php
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Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#610

Post by Lucien Harpress »

Sad to say... not really.

It kind of blows my mind a little that I went a full year without touching the 1300, but in my defense most of my attention was spent on my 1200 'Wing and (to a slightly lesser extent) my 1000 'Wing as well. Not only did I FINALLY get my 1200 painted, I even got it on the road for my first long trip (Adrian MI to Chicago IL).

The 1300 is definitely the priority this year. I think that, rather than messing with clear tubes marked with fuel levels, I'm just going to mark the correct level on the side of the carb bowl and use that. I'll be honest- setting the levels last year was a royal PITA. I'm sure the brass floats didn't help any.... in any case, I'm hoping that using stock floats will make this go quicker, and can eliminate THAT from my "cylinder 3 running way to rich" problem.
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
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Barney T Weasel
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#611

Post by Barney T Weasel »

anim-cheers1 action1
GL1000 '75 model Blue....heading to rat, then cafe racer then full resto...owned 33 years.
http://www.dungbeetlebiker.com/forum/forum.php
Gowing
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#612

Post by Gowing »

Keeping two old bikes running good is hard for me, because it cuts into my web surfing, inc NGW of course. and ME -TV and Fox News (kidding) watching. If I started working on my third bike I would be sunk.
Congrats on your time management and effort on your bikes.i enjoy reading about the 1300, cause
I don't think there is one of us that wouldn't love throwing a leg over that super bike, let alone owning one.
Dave

1975 GL 1000
1980 XS650
1981 ct110
1972 F7 KAW 175
2000 moby blaze 40cc
Chihuahua (Ellie)
Chihuahua #2(Blaze)
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robin1731
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#613

Post by robin1731 »

Gowing wrote:snip.............
I don't think there is one of us that wouldn't love throwing a leg over that super bike, let alone owning one.
Nah, give me it's little brother any time, the 900/1000. ;)

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
User avatar
Lucien Harpress
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#614

Post by Lucien Harpress »

The 1300 is an acquired taste, for sure. The noise and torque is absolutely fantastic, but lugging around a naked bike that feels as heavy as a fully dressed Goldwing takes some getting used to. I'm not NEARLY as good at the low speed stuff with it as I would like to be, and that big tall engine (plus gas tank) is a whole different animal to the low-slung Goldwing.

Still.... rolling on the throttle in, well, ANY gear is still pretty special. ;)
1997 Valkyrie- Light Cutomization, but Too Busy Riding
1980 KZ1300- Bike's Haunted
1976 GL1000 (Yellow)- It Runs (Poorly) and Doesn't Leak (Mostly)
1974 Velosolex 3800- Better Than Walking
1972 CB750- Broke the Chain And Ate the Motor
1969 CT90- The Most Fun You Can Have on 90ccs.
1965 CA77 Dream- Needs a Full Teardown, but Complete

All advice I give is only valid until an expert corrects me.
Gowing
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Re: 1980 KZ1300 "Kiwi"- Insight Into my Mind...

#615

Post by Gowing »

Dave

1975 GL 1000
1980 XS650
1981 ct110
1972 F7 KAW 175
2000 moby blaze 40cc
Chihuahua (Ellie)
Chihuahua #2(Blaze)
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