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Hiya from Bournemouth

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NickH
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Hiya from Bournemouth

#1 PostAuthor: NickH » Sun Aug 12, 2018 9:06 pm

Hi All
I've been on here a long time ago (over 10 years) when I had a stock kz900. Although I only had it a few years, I was quite happy with it, until I was suddenly smitten with a Jota, so the Kawa and I parted company, and after many happy times trying to hang onto the wild italian beast, I've caved in and bought another Z900-A4. It's been a very happy homecoming, and boy are they beautiful bikes.

In many ways this one's better than the last one because someone hasn't made a pig's ear of the bits they have restored, so I'm happily working my way through it. So a few questions in no particular order:

1) Carburation seems very wrong; she fluffs and pops on take-off, settles down nicely around 2,000 rpm, is fine up to 4,000, but from there onwards it's like I have one huge flat spot. So far (after reading various posts on here) I've done the low voltage feed to the coils with a relay mod, had the carbs off and cleaned each main and pilot jet, reset float heights, flushed the tank, replaced the petcock and put two inline filters in (So I'm pretty sure there's no clag in the bowls) Plug chop at 5,000 suggests mixture is fine, so I'm wondering where the issue is. There's no undue sign of wear on the mains or needles.

2) Headlamp appears to be the original sealed beam unit; are there any conversions to something decent available - I just got reminded a few nights ago what 1970's lighting systems were like!

3) And finally ...Any local ZedHeads around Bournemouth?
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marmck
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#2 PostAuthor: marmck » Mon Aug 13, 2018 8:21 am

HI there & a Lovely looking Z9 you have there

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chrisNI
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#3 PostAuthor: chrisNI » Mon Aug 13, 2018 9:32 am

:welc

Nice z9 indeed.

That’s an odd running problem you have. You seem to have covered most of the bases in the carbs, I take it the air filter is also new and the main jet is the original spec? The low speed fluffing and popping could still be partially blocked pilot passages they are notoriously awkward to clean out and can take several attempts but it’s hard to see why it would be flat over 4000 if everything else is right. Maybe check the cam timing?

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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#4 PostAuthor: Ultim8pc » Mon Aug 13, 2018 9:39 am

Nice 900!

I would agree with the pilots statement, they can be a right bastard if they are blocked or partially.
http://www.airevalleyclassics.co.uk
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Keyster rebuild kits & carburettor spares - airscrews, jets, needles, starter plungers & gaskets.
Also petrol/ethanol proof float bowl gaskets. IMD pistons preferred seller.

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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#5 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Mon Aug 13, 2018 1:03 pm

Hello and Welcome, I am also in Sunny Bournemouth live in Charminster. There are few others here abouts.

Nice looking Z900 you have there. Regarding your carbs, I’d take the bike up to Debben performance in Ringwood and get Ray or Steve to have a look at the carbs for you.
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#6 PostAuthor: Philippe » Mon Aug 13, 2018 2:29 pm

Hi Nick

welcome! A very nice KZ 900 you have there, I hope you get it running correctly without any flat spots.
Let the good times roll !
Greetings from Belgium
Philippe
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ADRIAN H
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#7 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Mon Aug 13, 2018 6:55 pm

I have a 6 litre ultrasonic cleaner which you could use if you end up stripping the carbs down again.
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NickH
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#8 PostAuthor: NickH » Tue Aug 14, 2018 7:02 am

Thanks everyone - Adrian, thanks for the offer - At the moment Frank from DynoMite is having a fettle with the carbs, as he's old skool, and has always been a star performer when troubleshooting; if he can't sort it, I'll try the guys in Ringwood you suggested.

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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#9 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Tue Aug 14, 2018 4:43 pm

NickH wrote:Thanks everyone - Adrian, thanks for the offer - At the moment Frank from DynoMite is having a fettle with the carbs, as he's old skool, and has always been a star performer when troubleshooting; if he can't sort it, I'll try the guys in Ringwood you suggested.


I know Frank. Did some work on his son Matt's house.

I can not express how lucky I have been to find Ray Debben - he and his son Steve know their onions and has been able to sort out a quite a few problems I have had over recent years. He is the only local motorcycle shop I would trust with my Zed. Debben Performance in Ringwood - is recognised as a Kawasaki Air cooled (Zed Z1 to Z1000 ) GURU / and has been fettling with these bikes for the last 40 years, (also has a DYNO). Also a member of Z1OC UK. Also a drag-bike racer and engine builder specialist.
adrianhorsfield@live.co.uk
Sunny Bournemouth. Dorset. UK.

NickH
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#10 PostAuthor: NickH » Wed Aug 15, 2018 12:17 pm

So... it seems that I have a Z1A/B airbox which probably isn't helping the carburation. Z-Power don't stock a 900-A4 airbox for some reason, so I'm now in the position of needing one, and I guess a nice Z1A/B airbox for sale if I manage to find one.

eBay's not showing any for sale, so does anyone know of other suppliers who might be able to source one for me - and also, would you agree that not having the right airbox isn't helping me either. Personally I wouldn't have thought there'd be much difference, in terms of volume/throughput, but I'm no expert.

Nick

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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#11 PostAuthor: Ultim8pc » Wed Aug 15, 2018 5:23 pm

Nick

z900 airboxes are like rocking horse poo and when they do come up they sell for silly money. Last one sold on EBay for £500. There are no reproduction ones made...
The z1000 airbox body is very similar, but the snorkel bit is completely different. Some folks have fitted the cheaper 1000 airbox and purchased and aftermarket 900 snorkel. Probably works out about half the price of a correct setup.
http://www.airevalleyclassics.co.uk
10% discount code Z1OCTEN
Keyster rebuild kits & carburettor spares - airscrews, jets, needles, starter plungers & gaskets.
Also petrol/ethanol proof float bowl gaskets. IMD pistons preferred seller.

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chrisNI
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#12 PostAuthor: chrisNI » Wed Aug 15, 2018 6:41 pm

Z1A/B airbox would be less restrictive than an A4 airbox a bit of fiddling it should be possible to get it to run slightly better than with an A4 airbox. Might need to jet up a bit though that's probably why it's flat over 4000 a bit on the weak side. 90% of people looking at the bike wouldn't know the difference so I wouldn't worry too much.

I'm slightly surprised it fits with the A4 side panels.. :shock:

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ADRIAN H
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#13 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Wed Aug 15, 2018 7:11 pm

This guy sells reproduction snorkel - fits to the rear of the air box.

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/KAWASAKI-Z900A ... kz900.TRS0

For Airbox try - John Browse, Wrexham - secondhand Kawasaki Parts specialist. Tel. 01978 355556
adrianhorsfield@live.co.uk
Sunny Bournemouth. Dorset. UK.

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ADRIAN H
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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#14 PostAuthor: ADRIAN H » Thu Aug 16, 2018 7:53 am

adrianhorsfield@live.co.uk
Sunny Bournemouth. Dorset. UK.

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Re: Hiya from Bournemouth

#15 PostAuthor: Paulb » Sun Oct 14, 2018 9:33 am

Hi Nick
I'm Paul from Bournemouth, and also have a Z900A4
In fact, I may be mistaken, but I think I may have seen your bike in your staff car park. I work there as a subcontractor. :D
Z900A4.
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