Removing Carburetors 1989 Kawasaki en450 454 or Ninja 500 Near Real Time with the Struggle and Tips

Removing dual carburetors from a Kawasaki EN450 454 LTD in near real time.
Carb Removed around 36:00
Tools:
Socket wrench to remove seat
10mm open end wrench
Phillips screwdriver large, medium, and long
Large Flathead or flat blade
Pry Bar
Patience
Chapters:
Gas Tank Removal
Fuel Hose Removal
Choke Cable
Throttle Cable
Carburetor Inspection
Short Version: • Remove Dual Carburetor...

[@Moon_Quake]

This video is amazingly helpful to clueless first time wrenchers like me. Thank you so much for taking the time to film so well.

[@adamschrepfer1086]

Sir, these videos are great.... no skaky cam, good up close clear shots, a good narration voice, speaking concise sentences with out extra gibberish or uhmms and uhhs, no annoying background music....well done.... I have a 454 ltd and love the bike so it's great watching this channel.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Thank you, when I listed it I really didn't expect anyone to buy it, when they did I knew I'd miss it. I really wanted to do a front fork seal video, the valve adjustment, brake rebuild, and a good detailing video. I rode it 365 for many years. 50mpg always started, not to fast but not to slow.

[@matttriestodothings]

Hey! That's not how you do it! Kidding. I just came to youtube and searched "Kawasaki 454 LTD" because there is one in my garage right now, and I've never even heard of the bike before. My neighbor says he always sees me working out in the garage on my bikes, came over and introduced himself, and asked me to see if I could get this 1985 454 running. I told him I'd give it a shot--but I'm not a trained mechanic! Just a dude that's made a fair amount of mistakes and discoveries working on his own bikes. Anyway, I'm listening to your vid now, and just want to say I appreciate you posting this. Also, you're narration is excellent, and you're very easy to listen to. Cheers man. Wish me luck.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

I hope it helps, while I never had any issues with my bike (rode it, changed oil and plugs, battery, tires). Started all the time, these bikes are "cold runners" they will sound off until warmed up.) For troubleshooting, there is a whole forum dedicated to this style bike. The Great White Knights 454 ltd. I sold my before I could do the rest of the vidoes I wanted to do, valve adjustment, new fork seals, brakes etc. All in all, great bike, new parts a pricey but that is how Kawaski is for their stuff. Cheap overall but pricey parts.

[@matttriestodothings]

@@LifeBloodMarketing Thanks for the response man. "Cold Runners"--haven't heard that one. The euphemism I've been using is "cold blooded" to explain some of these 80s machines I've had my hands on! I'll definitely check out that forum this week. Glad to hear there is a good community for the bike. To me, that's huge. Just got the battery pulled. Had to impact out a side cover bolt--likely a sign of things to come. I can see the battery is heavily sulfated; however... it's the same battery for my 1984 VF500F, so.... I might be able to find out if all the electronics are working. Funny. I started this morning trying to shore up the race body work on my SV650. Now I've completely lost focus on that and am committed to a bike I've never even heard of nor even belongs to me. Time to restart your video and get this gas tank off! Can't wait to deal with another Vacuum-operated petcock that doesn't have a goddamn OFF position... like... why? Again, I appreciate the upload.

[@michaeldunagan8268]

Now I know why it July 2023 all the Chicagoland Kawasaki dealers and other independent motorcycle repair shops want $450.00 to do carburetor rebuilds on this bike.

[@yorkiecol7973]

wow what a struggle, 36mins of torture man just pull the side cases release the airbox mounts push the box back 1in pull the carbs off once in hand disconnect the cables, done 15mins tops.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Yeah, now you tell me. For anyone else, let us know how it goes.

[@marcinaczniak861]

I have a question, I dismantled the carburetors in the motorcycle as you have in the video, I only replaced the float cover gasket. but when I put it back and tried to start the vehicle does not start, as if it could not pull fuel, the spark plugs have a spark and are dry . at 4:28 minute of the video you are draining the fuel from the carburetors, would it help me if I tried to unscrew it, I mean would it flood my carburetor with fuel

[@jonobester5817]

That's my Dad's old flat-head screwdriver!

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Snap-on SSD6.

[@jackhmason]

Thanks for all the 454 content. Trying to get a 1985 running and finding this very helpful. Is there a reason you didn’t take the intake box off first? Also, would it help to shoot fine wd40 or silicone spray into the engine side boots to help free up the carbs?

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

I think I wanted to see how hard it was to do with them on. Yes the spray could make it easier, also it was freezing that day, which also stiffens everything up.

[@jackhmason]

@@LifeBloodMarketing The 454 I'm trying to get running came with the intake off, so getting carbs off was pretty simple. I did see that some people recommend using a heat gun to make the boots a little more pliable. In terms of putting the carbs back in with the intake box in place, someone alse suggested attaching some round pieces of metal over the intake box holes that have a strap spring on them to pull or compress the airbox boots to get a little bit more clearance. Clever idea. Meanwhile, just took carbs off, and they were pretty darn clean, so not sure they are the culprits. Trying to figure out why not getting fuel to the cylinders. Bowls fill up and there does seem to be decent vacuum I can feel from the carb throats when starting. Maybe valves or some other compression issue? Maybe spark isn't hot enough? I'm running out of things to try.

[@unokarpa4405]

@@jackhmason чтобы проще снять карбюраторы открути крепления коробки воздушного фильтра, это даст несколько лишних сантиметров.

[@unokarpa4405]

нельзя засовывать отвёртку между карбюратором и патрубками, патрубки резиновые и погут порваться, крбюратор алюминиевый и может помяться или сломаться, надо открутить короб воздушного фильтра - это даст пару сантиметров свободного хода карбюраторам и можно раскачиванием их отделить и вынуть, а вообще конечно на этой модели мотоцикла крепление карбюраторов ужасное, следует в ладони насрать этим инженерам которые придумали такое решение.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Google Translate: do not put a screwdriver between the carburetor and nozzles, the pipes are rubber and can break, the carburetor is aluminum and can be wrinkled or broken, you need to unscrew the air filter box - this will give a couple of centimeters of free play to the carburetors and you can separate and remove them by swinging them, but in general, of course, on this motorcycle model, the carburetor mount is terrible, these engineers who came up with such a solution should give a shit in the palm of their hand.

[@puregameplay7916]

Im possibly getting a 1985 454 and everythings good with it, but he says it needs a carb clean. Is the 1985 454 carb the same procedure as this? Says he has a complete carb cleaning kit to go with the bike he just doesnt have the time to do it. I feel like even tho im a beginner, I could get it done in a day.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Yeah it's pretty much the same. You can also look up Ninja 500 valve adjustment if you find it needs one. These bikes are cold runners, so until it's warmed up the choke will have to be on. I rode mine 365, through winter and all, never had an issue. Great bike.

[@collwyncleveland932]

Does the breather tube connect to that hard, black plastic t-valve in the center of the carb? If so, what does the other end attach to?

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

I was watching the clip again to see, looks like it's attached to a long hose that hangs down behind the carb, curling back. Follows the large fat hose back down but then just hangs out to the ground.

[@pbase36]

@@LifeBloodMarketing Vent tube, got it. Thanks a bunch!

[@MyJeremy79]

Way to lng man that 15min job. Shouldn't have to pry an force lol. Air box removal make lot room

[@davidnewvine2506]

If the carbs are on, the air box won't come off. The carbs on this bike have to come off first. If you know how to get the air box off without removing the carbs on this bike you should make a video and post it. That would be very useful info.

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

Perhaps, it was also 30 degrees so that didn't help.

[@hardset-vi3ze]

I'm not a pro mechanic either but you sir are not either. This is a very tough job and it's obvious this is the first time you have done this job! Why do i see soooooooo many KZbin videos on how to do this and how to do that? Shouldn't you disclose that to your viewers first?? Man, I would think more people would practice a little on their own time instead of expecting to know how to do difficult tasks correctly and with half the effort. It was painful watching you struggle to just remove the cards. To do this job including cleaning fhe carbs inside and out and putting them back on is hard part and will take the average person at least 8 hours or more unless your gifted and have lots of experience wrenching. Please next time tell your viewers first how much experience you have!!! FUG!!!

[@LifeBloodMarketing]

So, not helpful?