[JohnnyW]

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Well, the carbs are off again and I'm waiting on a float level guage as mine's gone missing and I had to order up a new one. I was hoping to get by leaving the floats where they were and hoping they were good. Yeah right. I'm not even 100% certain it's low float setting that's causing this super-lean condition, but it's where it seems I should start. Correct me if I'm wrong.



It's been suggested to me that a better way to check the float levels is by making up a drain plug with a barb and some clear flexable tubing and actualy check that the FUEL LEVEL is within 2mm of the top of the bowl on the bench. Trouble is I don't have an extra set of drain plugs nor do I have a clue as to where to get some barbs that have threads on the other end.



Jets are 100% clean and not obstructed at all. #145 main and #35 low speed jets. They're aftermarket K&N jets and I have a hard time beleiving that the sizing is off. (Unless someone can convince me via real world experiance that this is likely.) The stock slow jets are completely blocked and I don't cherish the thought of messing around with them trying to get 'em cleaned up. Those passages are so small.



This problem is showing itself on all 4 cylinders. Granted, I haven't set the mixture screws as I see no sence in trying that if it's so way off with them set to three turns out to start. Maybe I'm being dumb here and that's the real problem. That's why I'm bringing the problem here. Hopefully someone can give me some insight.



Johnny

 

[k1w1t1m]

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I just used a adjustable square to set the floats in mine.

 

[Mike Toon]

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If you get the right size plastic tube, you can taper it on the grinder and "thread" it into the float bowls. This is your "real world" fuel level.

 

[DaveO430]

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Before you install the carbs put a hose and funnel on the inlet and fill them with fuel, remove the hose. Drain each one separately into a graduated container. They should have about 1 1/2 oz or 45 cc in each bowl.

 

[JohnnyW]

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Well, three of those floats were just a little low. Perhaps 1/2 a mm just setting it with a float guage. One was a bit lower than that though. All are set at 15.5mm just using the guage now. Valve clearances were also checked yesterday and they were all spot on. Still running lean. My pilot screw driver and carb sync screwdriver/wrench are out for deliver with UPS so they'll be here very shortly.

I'm really hoping that setting the pilot screws will help. They've just been set to the three turns out base setting. I have to wonder if perhaps I didn't get the fuel supply tract clean on these. I'm sure trying to do the idle-drop will reveal this if it's the case as nothing should happen if the pilots aren't getting fuel.

Now I'm just kind of thinking aloud. I'm pretty certain that, though I didn't check the, "real world," fuel levels in those bowls using clear hose along side the carbs, that they should be spot on setting them with the float guage. The only real problem I'd think I'd have there would be if the floats weren't floating the way they should, in which case, I'd be rich, not lean.

So, what do you all think? Do you think the pilots being too lean could cause such a sever lean condition? HELP!

Johnny

 

[abnormal 1]

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Are you using stock air cleaner?

 

[JohnnyW]

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Emgo air filter. It's brand new. I figure if it was restricted it'd be rich not lean. It's pleated paper like the stock ones, so I don't think it's flowing more air like a gause K&N might. This is a great thought though. You've definately got a point.

Johnny

 

[abnormal 1]

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Lets locate the problem. take a pece of dick tape and put e piece over intake nozzle1/4 of the way. ride and get reading. Are you checking high end run or idle. Take bike and plug wrench and run bike at a good cruising speed hit kill switch with throttle still open.coast down check plugs.Get back to me!

 

[JohnnyW]

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I'm actualy off to get my daughter then out to lunch with the family. Holly's just completed another course and still holding a 4.0 average. UPS should be here while I'm gone so tools should be waiting on my doorstep when I return. Having a young family sometimes doesn't leave alot of time to just jump on the bike or work on it whenever I want. I probably won't be able to get back to you until tomorrow, and even that's questionable.

I still question if setting the pilot screws won't help. I'm not doing spark chops, but even that notwithstanding, I'm certain it's running lean at idle AND at highway speeds. There's no way the plugs are cleaning up to stark white including the grounding electrode in the breif few seconds it's near idle pulling into the driveway and shutting it off.

Johnny

 

[JohnnyW]

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I haven't had a chance to pull the airbox and tape off part of the intake plenum and do a spark chop, but I got to thinking... you know, the dimple in the top of this Emgo filter is a bit shallow and doesn't allow for good sealing between the top and bottom halves of the air box. I'm recalling that Jap bikes can be very sensitive to changes in the air box. I've contacted Emgo via e-mail and am awaiting a response. Has anyone else noticed this with Emgo filters? I'm wondering if it may be the wrong albeit very similar filter that was packaged as the one for my 1982 GL1100A.

I need to pick up some duct tape anyway. I may well try sealing up the airbox around these two parts first and seeing if the plugs don't start getting some color to them. What do you think?

Johnny

 

[chris in va]

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I serioulsy doubt it has anything to do with your air filter. If there's any doubt, just remove it and see if it changes the spark plug color/driveability. Filters are supposed to flow as much air as possible, so you'd see a RICH condition if anything was up with it.

They're aftermarket K&N jets and I have a hard time beleiving that the sizing is off.

Hate to say it but I think that may be your problem.



I did a Randakk rebuild on my 83 last year. Did the synch, drove it for a while but had a misfire when on hills/under load. One of my floats was way off, slamming that one cylinder with too much fuel.



I didn't bother with calibrating the floats, rather set them all even with the bowl lip. Driveability is fine now, no hitches or discolored plugs.

 

[JohnnyW]

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abnormal 1 wrote:

Lets locate the problem. take a pece of dick tape and put e piece over intake nozzle1/4 of the way. ride and get reading. Are you checking high end run or idle. Take bike and plug wrench and run bike at a good cruising speed hit kill switch with throttle still open.coast down check plugs.Get back to me!

Still very lean. Even went so far as to cover both air inlets on the top of the airbox entirely. Under this condition it was bogging, as would be expected. I then ripped enough tape off to uncover just 1/4 - 1/3 of one of the air inlets on the box, and no more bogging at that point. Still looks lean as all get-out.



Johnny

 

[JohnnyW]

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chris in va wrote:

They're aftermarket K&N jets and I have a hard time beleiving that the sizing is off.

Hate to say it but I think that may be your problem.

Well, {sigh} I've got the old jets in the dip now. It's been a couple days actualy as I've not gotten time to mess with it. Back out with the carbs. I got the two low speed jets cleaned out that were plugged, I just want to be sure they're REALLY clean before I pull the carbs yet again. I sure hope you're right Chris. Wish me luck!



Johnny

 

[chris in va]

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Yup, let us know when you find the fix.

 

[JohnnyW]

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Well, I got the carbs out in what might be record time before the rain came. I got the bowls drained and jets changed in number 1. Looking closely at the low speed jets, the one K&N jet I've looked at does look small compared to the Keihin jets that came out. I'll definately keep you posted when I get it buttoned back up and do someplug chops. Just to make you all jealous, I'll give you a nice picture of the state of the art shop I have out back.

 

[muaymendez1]

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I just clkeaned my carbs and am ready to install firdst thing tommorow morning. Try a b string from a guitar. Go the the local music shop and ask for a steel b string. This fit perfectly and cleaned my jets out. Cant wait to see what heppens when I crank her up tommorow.

 

[morriscatt]

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JohnnyW wrote:

Well, I got the carbs out in what might be record time before the rain came. I got the bowls drained and jets changed in number 1. Looking closely at the low speed jets, the one K&N jet I've looked at does look small compared to the Keihin jets that came out. I'll definately keep you posted when I get it buttoned back up and do someplug chops. Just to make you all jealous, I'll give you a nice picture of the state of the art shop I have out back.

JW, hey man, I like the speakers so i can listen to the Dead and stuff, but I really like your handsoap dispenser.. really handy.. wish I had one. nice touch

 

[brianinmaine]

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I just did mine in a little red wagon of my kids! Old tshirt on the bottom, then I filled it up with little pieces. Not really big enough, but you gotta do what ya gotta do! (No soap dispenser, either?!

 

[JohnnyW]

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Well. carbs are re-jetted and back in. An inspection of the fuel filter this time around seems to indicate I'm either replacing or cleaning the fuel tank this winter. {sigh} I was really hoping to avoid that.

A quick blast about 1/4 mile seems to have added just a little bit of color to the plugs. Hard to say as yet. I'll be riding her a little more and posting back. I guess in the interum, I'll be seeing what sort of deal I can find on a clean tank on fleabay.

Johnny

 

[Guest]

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GOOD LUCK I hope it all works in your favor.