Topic: 81 Kawi KZ550 running Lean

[shizzomynizzo]

I have an 81 550 that is running very good. No problems starting, no idling problems, accelerates good, too.

Anyway I pulled the plugs and they are a little whiter than I would like. They are a mix between tan and white, but more white. I hear these horror stories of people who burn holes in their pistons from running lean, too long.

Is it normal to have a little white on these plugs, or should I re-jet/ raise needle?

I just acquired the bike a few months back and am only "really" riding it for the first time this past month. Stock air-box and exhaust. No leaks in air-box.

I do have the pilot screws out 1/2 turn, stock is about 1 1/2


Thanks,
Shizz

[HavocTurbo]

Call me senile...

But IIRC the more you turn them out... the more fuel they run.

Turn them back to stock and see what the plugs look like.

[shizzomynizzo]

At stock they were VERY white. No tan. These screws adjust the air, not fuel. Was told by this site as well as others.

Can I run the bike with the screws all the way in?

[HavocTurbo]

Ok then I got it backwards.. I knew it was one or the other. I'm working on a Suzuki at the moment and I'm getting confused.

Raise the needles then adjust for stock. See what that does.

KZ550's seem to be kinda picky. I've had easy times and hard times synching them.

[shizzomynizzo]

Pulled the carbs today. I am going to get into them tomorrow and put them back on and go from there. Hopefully all will be well.