Synchronizing Carburetors

[Tim in NC]

I like to balance the carbs on the KZ900 at the start of riding season each year. The bike always idles and cruises smoother after.
So I threw the vacuum gages on the Voyager, and the carbs are pretty well balanced. But I was looking at the adjustment screws on the carbs, and if an adjustment was required, I don't have a tool to do it. My shortest Phillips screwdriver still won't clear the bottom of the air box. Adjustments need to be made with the bike running, and the airbox/filter installed. Did Kawasaki make a special tool to turn the balance screws?

Ride safe,
Tim

[Mr Jensee]

Tim I believe Harbor Freight might have what you are looking for if there is one near you. Otherwise check out an Auto supply like Auto Zone or Advance Auto Parts. What you are looking for is a screw driver that has a sleeve over a flexible shaft used to tune carburetors. Great addition to the garage mechanic tool box.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/1614684076 ... noapp=true

[onegunguitar]

Motion Pro make a 90 degree hex drive that should work. It's about $70 though.

[onegunguitar]

http://www.motosport.com/product?psrefe ... hgodqzIGZw" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[voyager55]

Remove the air box, I just use a long screw driver, works fine

[onegunguitar]

Problem with that is you have to keep putting the box on and off until they are set,which sucks.lol.

[ekap1200]

http://www.motosport.com/product?psrefe ... hgodqzIGZw

Here is one from ( MAC TOOLS ) The less I have to remove to do a job the better. But professional tools are never cheep. Not sure what it went for years ago, never really asked the tool dealer. If I did I would probably never go on the tool truck again.
http://i44.tinypic.com/fjerg5.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Bill O]

Problem with that is you have to keep putting the box on and off until they are set,which sucks.lol.

I've always set the carb sync with the airbox removed. Hook up the gauges to the four vacuum ports. Balance the left two carbs, then adj the right two, then adj the left to the right sets. (Repeat if necessary). Once all four are pulling the same vacuum, your done! Put it back together and go for a ride.

Bill O

[voyager55]

I leave the box off, set the carbs, put the box back on. You're making it harder than it should be

Problem with that is you have to keep putting the box on and off until they are set,which sucks.lol.

[onegunguitar]

According to the manual the air box is supposed to be on when sync'd.But with the right tools,you don't even need to take the airbox off to sync them. I ran hoses from the inside carbs to the outer ones to make it easy to check them whenever I feel the need.

[Lumpy Rider]

After syncing my carbs Sunday and the timely reinstallation of the air box , I wondered "Why not drill holes in the bottom of the air box that align with the adjustment screws and cap the holes?" A mind is a terrible thing!

[Jeff Gordon]

Just going through this process and it appears that number one carb is creating tones more vacuum than the others.....is this normal.

[ekap1200]

Just going through this process and it appears that number one carb is creating tones more vacuum than the others.....is this normal.

NO---- that is the carb valve that is shut off the most....
right tool and read up on the book.... do 1 to 2 then 3 yo 4 then the center adjustment of 1/2 to 3/4 with the right tool and hoping someone has not been randomly tuning the screws it should take about 20 minutes to do this job....and you should only have to tweek the screws about 1/8 of a turn.... like I said, if no DIYer has messed it up.