QuestionI am helping a friend work on his 1996 Kawasaki Vulcan 750. It had been sitting for a while, so we cleaned the tank, petcock, and carbs. The bike is completely stock with only 4600 miles on it. We got it running and it runs good sitting there not moving for about 5 minutes, but when we take it down the street for a test ride it bogs right off idle until about half throttle then picks up and takes off good. The problem that is confusing us is the carbs have a vacuum fitting on the manifold side and a pilot air screw next to it, when I block the fitting with my finger it runs better, we don't know what the fitting is supposed to attach to. The fitting on the right side is connected to a vacuum switch, but the left side vacuum doesn't have a fitting on the switch to connect to. The book for the 1996 vulcan doesn't show the same carb that is on the bike. The carbs are strange looking with odd shaped float bowls. I've also tried adjusting the pilot air screw in both directions, out gives more air but doesn't run better, in makes it sound like it's loading the plugs.
So, the main question is: what does the vacuum connect to? and what would you say it sounds like?
P.S. I was trained as a motorcycle mechanic at AMI, but I've never seen these kind of carbs and I've kind of been out of it for a while. I would really appreciate your help with advice. Thank you.
AnswerHi Eric,
Hey! An AMI Alumni. You visit AMI's Site and register?
I don't know what kind of carbs you guys are working with. Is it possible to send me an image of the carbs?
Check for brand names and other markings.
Is the vacuum tube open to atmosphere? It may belong to the petcock or EPA parts. Plug the tube instead of leaving it open to lean the air-fuel mixture.
Reply to my email: mshively1@woh.rr.com
Respectfully,
Mark Shively
