Jetting!!! Again and again and again!

[umberto]

I got my bike pulled apart so I could get to the spark plug and carb.  Here is the plug:



I tried to shut off the motor at the moment it was bogging, but I'm not sure I got that done.

The carb was setup with the following:

Main 170
Pilot 50
Needle in the 3rd position from the top, but it was a R1469M, not the stock R1369N
Air Screw was set at 1 1/2 turns

Any thoughts?

[umberto]

The carb is a Keihin PKW, and the part number on the side is V563EG03.  Does anyone know if that is the stock carb?

I found this one on eBay, and the number is different:

[Danger4u2]

Plug chop.  I think there's enough room in the field to do this if you want.
I'll go get my 2004 carb. give me a minute.
http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/carb/plugchop.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF3tGEFQ1ZA

Picture doesn't come out clear.
G250 AR10

[Danger4u2]

There is one for sale on ebay, says it's for an 88 KX500.

[umberto]

Sandblaster's awesome interchange list says that the carb I have is off a 90-93 KX 500 (if I'm reading it correctly).  The 88 carb on eBay says V396, which matches the list as well.

http://www.oem-cycle.com/KAWASAKIKX500BIKEID.shtml

[umberto]

Plug chop.  I think there's enough room in the field to do this if you want.
I'll go get my 2004 carb. give me a minute.
http://kawtriple.com/mraxl/carb/plugchop.htm

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hF3tGEFQ1ZA

Picture doesn't come out clear.
G250 AR10

I will take you up on that offer.  I need a better plug reading for sure.

[umberto]

I looked in my manual for the engine, and the stock settings are:

Main - 175
Pilot - 62
Needle - R1369N-3 in the third groove from the top
Air Screw - 1 1/2

Do you think I should start with the FMF settings, stock settings, or the current setting when I do the more in depth plug reading?  The current settings were for the engine with stock bore, 89 and up sleeve, and no KIPS valves.  The motor felt about the same in that as bought configuration as it does now, lazy and very reluctant to rev. 

Thank you!

[sandblaster]

I wish I knew more about your needle.
It is the correct needle for a 88 but your carb is a 90-93 which should be a N82R or similar.
I don't know how it would be effected with that 88 needle.
Perhaps someone here would know?

I'm curious, have you done a leak down test (Not a compression test) of that engine after you put the new top end on?
If not I would highly encourage you to do so.

Also, how did your reeds look?
If the reed looks good, with the seat off, start the bike and rev the throttle.
As you rev it up, put your hand over the air filter.
Can you feel air pushing back through the filter?
Is the filter wet with fuel?
If so, then it's time for some new reed pedals.

[umberto]

I replaced the reeds with new Boyesen stock reeds when I was having issues with the motor the first time.  I also have a VForce 2 block that I can mod if you think that would help.

The needle that is in the carb is a R1469M, the one listed in the manual is a R1369N.  Is a larger number indicative of a richer or leaner needle?

I found a stock 88 carb on eBay, do you think it would be better to start over or should I try to mess with this one some more?  I'm worried it might have been "modified" like the cylinder was. 

[dave916]

I replaced the reeds with new Boyesen stock reeds when I was having issues with the motor the first time.  I also have a VForce 2 block that I can mod if you think that would help.

The needle that is in the carb is a R1469M, the one listed in the manual is a R1369N.  Is a larger number indicative of a richer or leaner needle?

I found a stock 88 carb on eBay, do you think it would be better to start over or should I try to mess with this one some more?  I'm worried it might have been "modified" like the cylinder was. 

Try moving the needle clip position with the 1469 , Try the Top position {leanest] to see if it improves things, 
if that impovement things  i would tryA R1369N clip 3 and then leak down test if its still not right

[Foxx4Beaver]

I wouldn't go from the middle position to the top with the clip...that's too big of a jump at once....try the 2nd from top to start to be safe.
I also agree on finding the correct needle for THAT carb...the N82R...I probably have something within a couple "steps" or two of the "R"...I might have an N82P. I can send one to you if you can't find one.

[umberto]

I am going to do a leak down test this evening to see if that is the problem or not.  I'll let you guys know what I find.  I won't lie, I'm pretty nervous about doing it.  The last thing I want to do is tear this motor back down again. 

Rocky Mountain has the N82 in K, L, M, N, and P.  Any thoughts on which one I should get?  The N and the P are in stock, the other ones they will have to order.  Should I also update the pilot jet?  The stock one is listed as a 55 (I have a 50 now), but they have 58, 60, 62, and 65 in stock.

I really appreciate all the help.  I'd be lost without you guys.

[dave916]

I wouldn't go from the middle position to the top with the clip...that's too big of a jump at once....try the 2nd from top to start to be safe.
I also agree with Blaster on finding the correct needle for THAT carb...the N82R...I probably have something within a couple "steps" or two of the "R"...I might have an N82P. I can send one to you if you can't find one.

As it was the wrong needle fitted i did not see any harm on trying it {though it would be like 1369n on 3rd clip ]   , try every clip position if he has time .
 Since he got that motor on ebay, the motor might never have ran with that carb[jetting}
probably  better off trying a good working kx500 carb even thought the jetting on the 88 could vary a little due to bigger case volume  

[Foxx4Beaver]

I'd snatch up a "P"...
don't buy the pilots or main jets from Rocky...they are NOT genuine Keihin, even though they're listed in the OEM Kawie parts fiche/diagram...they're cheap bootlegs.

Buy the mains and pilots from here....
http://pjmotorsports.com/
they sell Genuine Keihin jets.

you can buy the needle from Rocky, it'll be genuine.

[dave916]

I am going to do a leak down test this evening to see if that is the problem or not.  I'll let you guys know what I find.  I won't lie, I'm pretty nervous about doing it.  The last thing I want to do is tear this motor back down again.  

Rocky Mountain has the N82 in K, L, M, N, and P.  Any thoughts on which one I should get?  The N and the P are in stock, the other ones they will have to order.  Should I also update the pilot jet?  The stock one is listed as a 55 (I have a 50 now), but they have 58, 60, 62, and 65 in stock.

I really appreciate all the help.  I'd be lost without you guys.

Dont go turning the motor with the inlet blocked {doing the leakdown test} or u could created a leak


Sounds like you a rich on the needle though/