New member needing a little advice.

[jdsmithinc]

Ok guys, this is my first post on here so if I sound dumb please forgive me. I bought this 74 Z1 900 with a 73 engine a few weeks back and it was not running. So I tore down the carbs and cleaned them really well (about 4 times) so that it would run right. I rewired the coils through a relay system (A guy on another site had the schematics for this, it gives the coils more juice than worn out old wires could) I set the timing perfect on it after replacing the points and condensers. I have the bike running really well at lower rpms, but after about 4k when you get on the throttle a little it starts to bog down (plugs were sooty at this point). I pulled the top end off the carbs to check the needle settings, and all but one were set at the second from the bottom slot on the needle. The other one was set on the very bottom slot. I reset them all to the middle slot which I was told is the standard position for the bike, and put the carbs back on. When I started it up it sounded like it was starving for fuel (plugs are not sooty at this point). Would setting them all on the second slot solve my problem? I really dont want to waste my time pulling the carbs and tearing them down again. The carbs are actually from a 78 KZ1000 (I know what you are thinking, patchwork bike right?). The main jet is 112.5 and the pilot jet is a #15 (I may have this backwards, I dont know). I have pod filters and a 4 into 1 header with no baffle at the moment (plan on getting a baffle for it soon, too loud). Any ideas guys? Thanks in advance, Joe.

[Pigford]

Pod filters need at least 125 mains
Bike will be running lean on standard jets with pods
Get a Dyna S fitted & bin the points

[Russ]

Eyup Mate,
Just been through all these carb problems with mine and at the end of the day the whole system is wrong (exhaust, filters and carbs generally) Your going to need bigger main jets than the ones in there for a start, My advise is to get yourself a dynojet kit to fit the Z1000 carbs and then follow the setting up instructions carefully, then get your ass down your local Dyno and get it run up (about fifty quid) this should give you a fueling graph indicating power and fueling throughout the rev range so that you can make final adjustments without the guesswork. Believe me mate, when you have a concoction like the one you have there are no short cuts. On the plus side the dyno setup is well worth the dosh when its set up right, my old Z is now responsive like I would never have believed possible and cruises happily at 120mph. Not bad at 30 plus years old. Whether you take my advise or not I wish you luck.

[Z1_Kerry]

Eyup Mate,
get your ass down your local Dyno and get it run up (about fifty quid) this should give you a fueling graph indicating power and fueling throughout the rev range so that you can make final adjustments without the guesswork. Believe me mate, when you have a concoction like the one you have there are no short cuts. .

Joe, Russ' has just given you the best advice you're gunna get today and for the rest of the week to fix the problem. Been there and been down the dyno route and can say if the fellow who runs the dyno knows his/her stuff it'll get sorted first time and you have some extra time to have a beer or two or three or ........

[ash]

These engines can be temperamental at the best of times, but they are so easy when you get a grip, if you set everything to standard then its still crap then you gotta start with the simple things first, plugs, ignition, timing, carbs as you say, then if you ain't got the know how then its to someone who can,

[jdsmithinc]

Heres the run down. I live in the foothills of North Carolina and like to take rides up into the mountains at times. I am going to purchase the dynojet kit for it but I noticed that there are stage 1, 2, 3, and 7. Which one will I need to get? I know where I can get it run on a dyno, but will they help me to adjust it? I am going to be buying a slipon muffler until I can afford to buy the $1500.00 reproduction factory exhaust for it. I want to leave the pod filters though, because I just like the way they look. One other thing, I would like to know if I can use any type handlebar on it to make it look pretty stock or is the ones that are supposed to be on it a special size? ( I just realized how many parts I am going to have to buy!!!)

[london calling]

Get on the phone to Z1 Enterprises and speak to Jeff Saunders.
There is a link in the links section at the top of the page