Air jet "cap" question

[Guest]

A little background: I was a member of the GS Resources up until about 5 years ago when I started a major tune-up of my 1980 GS750E (purchased in 1983 with 10,4xx miles on the clock, now with 23,2xx miles on it). Couldn't remember my userid or password so I had to become a new user.

So about 5 yrs ago I was having idleing issues and I pulled the carbs (found a split in one of the rubber intake manifolds) and did the full strip and dip with new cycleorings, etc, the full 10 yards. (Thankfully I reassembled the carbs 5 years ago when the process was fresh in my mind.) I installed the original main jets (the bike had a 4 into 1, K&N filter and had been re-jetted), and the original exhaust system. Also, while the carb and tank was off I adjusted the valve lash.

I have some electrical questions with the coils but I will save that for another thread in the electrical/ignition forum.

Last weekend we hung the brandy clean carbs on the motor and checked the wet fuel level with the four sections of clear plastic tubing and I was impressed how all four fuel levels were exactly at the same level! Put the carb drain plugs in the carb float bowls, poured some more fuel in the temporary fuel tank, cranked it up and it fired up. Was idleing a little fast but it was hitting on all four.

Next, my son dropped off his vacuum carb sync and I have yet to set the air screws and balance the carbs.

Here comes my question: Since I had to drill out and remove the aluminum caps over the air screws to remove them for the dipping process, what does everyone cover them with? I don't want any "crud" (trademark) getting down in those nice clean air screws.

Thanks in advance for any replys. Also many thanks to all who helped me through the strip, dip and assemble process so many years ago.

[Nessism]

I don't think you too worry about crud getting in there. Never heard of a problem resulting from that. If you insist, you could try putting a small piece of sponge on top of the screw and then sealing over the top with RTV. Silver would look nice.

[Steve]

Not to worry about "crud", but if you absatively, posilutely insist on putting something there,
use the rubber plugs that go in the bottom of the carbs to plug the pilot fuel jet passage.

By the way, you don't have "air" screws, they are "mixture" screws.

.

[Nessism]

Make that "pilot screws".

[Steve]

Make that "pilot screws".

Technically, yes, but they control a mixture.

NOBODY can control a pilot.

.

[byegge]

I know everyone dumps on rebuild kits but some come with new aluminum plugs

[pdqford]

If you insist, you could try putting a small piece of sponge on top of the screw and then sealing over the top with RTV. Silver would look nice.

I like that idea.
Thank You.

[pdqford]

Make that "pilot screws".

Got it!
So the JETS are fixed orifices, while the SCREWS allow a little tweeking.

[Staninator]

I was actually facing the same dilemma the other day when I came to the realization that it's completely unnecessary unless you're doing rodeo with your bike.