80 GS1000 carb tuning help

[Forensics]

So this is my first time playing with 4 carbs at once, my bike had an issue where about every 650 700 miles I would have to pull and clean the spark plugs because she was running way to rich. I have a sync tool too so I can to that part as well. But I can’t figure out the fuel mix everybody uses a color tune and I don’t have one of those, can this be done a different way like by sound? Is a color tune necessary?

Thanks for any help and tips

[Nessism]

Color tune is not required. However, having the airbox boots properly attached to the carbs is. You might want to fix that.

Also, check all the jetting to see if it matches what the factory manual for your bike says. Lots of non tech-savy folks buy "rebuild kits" filled with questionable jets.

[Pewpew82]

If it runs rich the way the picture shows, you have serious jetting issues.

Do what Nessism says and set them up to factory.

**Not an expert, but have been through a few sets of CV carbs with the help given here**

[rphillips]

OOhh, If that boot is leaking air as bad as it looks like it should be, and that cyl is still running rich, something is waaay off. You didn't say if all 4 plugs are that rich or just one or two?... Has it been this way since you've had it? If all four cyl.'s are acting the same, I'd guess somebody probably did the same thing to each carb. Like he said, start with orig size jets and be sure needle heights haven't been raised... Oh yeah, before I forget, Welcome.

[unfocused]

Let me toss this in... Make sure your choke is working correctly and closing the enrichment valves shut. Or they could be leaking even when closed.

Your unhooked airbox boot won't make it run rich but dirty air is entering your intake tract.

Then as mentioned - jets - both of them and if needed, check the needle.

Also - sync has little or nothing to do with rich/lean but more with runability. This needs to be checked after your fouled plug condition is fixed. check at idle, 2000 and 4000 rpm ( this is where I check)