kawasaki concours

[AZbiker]

Finally got my Connie to pass emissions after spending $400+ on the carbs.

What I've learned:

The K&L bowl seals are only useful to tie back long hair--they are a couple of mm too small in circumference to work properly.

The engineer that came up with the air-cut valve design needs a swift kick in the slats.

I hope this tank gets better than 30mpg. If not, I'm putting the goofy bodywork back on it and putting it up on the block. The only thing I haven't replaced in the carbs are the slides. At $400+ for all four, they just aren't worth replacing.

[concours]

Originally Posted by Z-rex1100

That's awesome.
Not often do you see touring bikes doing wheelies.

I could carry the front wheel on mine all the way through 1st...

[HaChayalBoded]

I just ordered an ME880 for the front, since i'm running a 17" front tire I can't find a matching set of tires front and rear aside from the ME880s.

Any of your tires cupping horribly also? Seems to be a common problem.

[UPSam]

Originally Posted by AZbiker

Finally got my Connie to pass emissions after spending $400+ on the carbs.

What I've learned:

The K&L bowl seals are only useful to tie back long hair--they are a couple of mm too small in circumference to work properly.

The engineer that came up with the air-cut valve design needs a swift kick in the slats.

I hope this tank gets better than 30mpg. If not, I'm putting the goofy bodywork back on it and putting it up on the block. The only thing I haven't replaced in the carbs are the slides. At $400+ for all four, they just aren't worth replacing.

I didn't even know they emission tested bikes in Phoenix

I don't think I got under 40 mpg going 90 mph on I10. 30 mpg is pretty shitty for a connnie.

[Gary B.]

Originally Posted by UPSam

I didn't even know they emission tested bikes in Phoenix

I don't think I got under 40 mpg going 90 mph on I10. 30 mpg is pretty shitty for a connnie.

Mine gets 45-50 every time I've checked it.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by UPSam

I didn't even know they emission tested bikes in Phoenix

I don't think I got under 40 mpg going 90 mph on I10. 30 mpg is pretty shitty for a connnie.

Emissions will probably end some time in 2010.

I know my mileage is crap, not sure yet what's causing it.

[concours]

I always got 33 to 38 mpg....

[AZbiker]

32mpg last tank.

I don't think it's low compression, I don't burn any oil.

Float heights are good, it has new float needles, and one new air cut valve on carb #4. The valve on carb one looked fine, I pulled it. The fuel screws are all set @ 1.5 turns out.

I'm thinking it's either worn needles or slides. Has anyone ever heard of the Kehins eating needles like Mikuni carbs do?

The needles are "only" $21.24 each. If it's the slides, those are $101.39 each. Dammit. I hope someone just steals the damn thing at this point.

[UPSam]

Originally Posted by AZbiker

32mpg last tank.

I don't think it's low compression, I don't burn any oil.

Float heights are good, it has new float needles, and one new air cut valve on carb #4. The valve on carb one looked fine, I pulled it. The fuel screws are all set @ 1.5 turns out.

I'm thinking it's either worn needles or slides. Has anyone ever heard of the Kehins eating needles like Mikuni carbs do?

The needles are "only" $21.24 each. If it's the slides, those are $101.39 each. Dammit. I hope someone just steals the damn thing at this point.

Valves could cause low compression. Former owner never adjusted them? Scorched a couple?

What do the test for on emmisions? Just particulates?

Make friends with somebody that has a dyno and a exhaust analyzer?

Nobody steals connies. Maybe a harley sticker on the gas tank?

[Audacious Nick]

Originally Posted by AZbiker

32mpg last tank.

I don't think it's low compression, I don't burn any oil.

Float heights are good, it has new float needles, and one new air cut valve on carb #4. The valve on carb one looked fine, I pulled it. The fuel screws are all set @ 1.5 turns out.

I'm thinking it's either worn needles or slides. Has anyone ever heard of the Kehins eating needles like Mikuni carbs do?

The needles are "only" $21.24 each. If it's the slides, those are $101.39 each. Dammit. I hope someone just steals the damn thing at this point.

I could arrange that. Just leave the key in the ignition, and have the title signed on the seat.

[AZbiker]

Originally Posted by UPSam

Valves could cause low compression. Former owner never adjusted them? Scorched a couple?

What do the test for on emmisions? Just particulates?

Make friends with somebody that has a dyno and a exhaust analyzer?

Nobody steals connies. Maybe a harley sticker on the gas tank?

They were all tight when I checked 'em. You may have a point.

They do a 2-gas test here, CO & HC. I may have a lean misfire, I dunno.

Last test my CO was at .39% and HC was at 1644ppm.

FWIW, my 60,000 mile XLH883 puts out 1.5%CO and 700ppm HC.

I'm rediscovering that used Asian bikes are maintenance-intensive and fragile.

[ROKSTAR]

Thoughts on a '92 Connie with 33K that needs fairings for $1300?

- gonna need the lower front fairing, front fender, and misc.

[UPSam]

Originally Posted by ROKSTAR

Thoughts on a '92 Connie with 33K that needs fairings for $1300?

- gonna need the lower front fairing, front fender, and misc.

You can get a much newer complete bike for $3500. Check Ebay for what those parts go for. Insurance companies total connies for minor tip-overs which gives you an idea.

33k is not a lot of miles. 16 years old is old though. seals and gaskets start going. carb problems.

http://www.concours.org/

check the forums

[HaChayalBoded]

Originally Posted by ROKSTAR

Thoughts on a '92 Connie with 33K that needs fairings for $1300?

- gonna need the lower front fairing, front fender, and misc.

depends, when you say lower fairing, do you mean the belly pan or lower side fairing? The lower fairings are very cheap, the mid and upper fairing are expensive.

[ROKSTAR]

Originally Posted by HaChayalBoded

depends, when you say lower fairing, do you mean the belly pan or lower side fairing? The lower fairings are very cheap, the mid and upper fairing are expensive.

I mean the fairings above the belly but below the main fairing that holds the headlight.