Cleaning Dirty Carburetor New Needle Jets. 1988 Kawasaki EN450 454 or Ninja 500. Buffing with Q-tip.

This dirty old 1988 Kawasaki en450 also known as a 454 ltd and the same engine on early Ninja 500s was in need of a carburetor cleaning. After removing the carbs from the bike, about an hour job, the bowels and top bladder were removed, the needle jets rubber cone were wrapped and required replacing. While Kawasaki's don't hold their resale value as much as other brands, this motorcycle when in use as a daily rider never had any problems, always started, always got to point-to-point B. But after sitting in a garage after several seasons without a quality detail, and bad gas in the tank, the same old story of gum in the carbs shows itself.
The dual carburetor setup requires two carb rebuild kits, prices range from 35 to 50 usd per kit depending on where you order them from, try a local motorcycle shop.

[@aimeemarquez6902]

Just pulled mine for bogging past 1/4 throttle and hard to start conditions- cleaned her out. Gotta now adjust- thank you for these videos on the 454

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

I had a similar problem, would stall at idle, but after cleaning it was good. I almost did a valve adjustment video but someone bought mine before I could do it. If you find yours is still hard starting, it may need a valve adjustment. Here is someone's video:Search "Kawasaki 454 LTD Checking and Adjusting Valve Clearances" -HEATHOLOGY channel

[@pbase36]

They actually make qtips with wood shafts.

[@colingladfelter9520]

2:46 how the heck

[@jackhmason]

Where did you get the carb rebuild kits? Trying to get a 454 LTD running.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Local bike shop ordered them for me, I try to keep that kind of business in town, but you can find them online. This forum is dedicated to the 454, lots of details: ltd454.proboards.com/board/5/carburetor-help-support

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

You may want to look into valve adjustment, I had the new seals (cooling shaft o-rings) ready to do the job and shoot a video but sold the bike right before I got to it. Look up "Ninja 500" valve adjustment, same motor. www.ex-500.com/threads/valve-adjustment.103/

[@krislouis6728]

Hey, you seem like the one I need to talk to, were trying to get my friends 86 running I don't know much about motorcycles wondering if I could chat with you somehow?

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Here is good, How long has it been sitting? I've always had to change plugs, clean carbs, new air filter, battery, clean ignition coil contacts, new oil and filter, clean ground terminals. Check for spark, and depending on mileage, valve adjustment if really is having trouble starting. Fuel filter, clean rust from tank (gas/oil and handful of screws and shake shake shake).