Mikuni VM Slide-Type Carburettor

The Mikuni VM (Velocity-Controlled Slide) carburettor was the de facto fuel delivery standard for Japanese two and four-stroke performance engines of the 1970s. Kawasaki's Z1, Suzuki's GS750, and Yamaha's RD350 all specified VM28–VM34 Mikuni carbs as OEM equipment. Mikuni supplied all major Japanese motorcycle brands simultaneously — a remarkable case of competitive manufacturers converging on the same supplier's product. The needle, main jet, pilot jet, and slide are interchangeable across most VM sizes, enabling cross-brand tuning using the same parts bin.