Why not one carb?

[Anonymous]

I suppose y'all can learn me something.

I occassionally see some restorations/mods of GS's (and some other bikes too) where the rack of carbs were stripped off and replaced with a single unit and new intake.

Since most of my previous tinkering experience was with older cars, where the one carb/many cylinders principle is normal, I sometimes stare at my GS and wonder why I need multiple carbs instead of just one larger carb shared across the cylinders. It'd seem to simplify things, but maybe I'm missing something fundamental about motorcycles engines. Hmm.

[earlfor]

Re: Why not one carb?

Individual carbs result in a more efficient induction system and higher HP.
Then too, cars have the luxury of space to allow a tuned 4 passage induction header with a single carb.

Earl

I suppose y'all can learn me something.

I occassionally see some restorations/mods of GS's (and some other bikes too) where the rack of carbs were stripped off and replaced with a single unit and new intake.

Since most of my previous tinkering experience was with older cars, where the one carb/many cylinders principle is normal, I sometimes stare at my GS and wonder why I need multiple carbs instead of just one larger carb shared across the cylinders. It'd seem to simplify things, but maybe I'm missing something fundamental about motorcycles engines. Hmm.

[crayonjota]

Re: Why not one carb?

Individual carbs result in a more efficient induction system and higher HP.
Then too, cars have the luxury of space to allow a tuned 4 passage induction header with a single carb.

Earl

You are just so eloquent and right all the time.. Very well put. CJ

[Anonymous]

How much HP does a stock GS 750 make? Isn't it between 60 to 80 depending on model and year? That's a 45 cubic inch engine, producing 60+ HP! If cars were similarly designed, a stock chevy 350 might produce close to 700 HP! Those complicated multiple carbs are doing their job, I would say!

[crayonjota]

Thanks to four carbs with a straight unobstructed shot at the combution chamber..

Doesnt a stock 350 make a laughable 150hp?

CJ

[mcycle-nut]

Yeah, but can you get a couple of hundred thousand miles out of a GS motor without cracking the motor??? There's been a few cases, but I betcha most 350s running around have AT LEAST 100,000 miles on them. 8)

[Hotblack]

Thanks to four carbs with a straight unobstructed shot at the combution chamber..

Doesnt a stock 350 make a laughable 150hp?

CJ

Depends what it's in. The Chevy 350 is probably the most ubiquitous automobile engine ever, finding it's way into everything from snoozy station wagons to muscle cars to dump trucks. It's also a (the?) favorite of hot rodders around the world, it's extremely modifiable, and 700 hp is no problem for it, pushrods and all. In the 'Dark Years' (Late 70s - Early '80s) even the ones in 'Vettes often had under 200 hp, pretty tame comparatively. Any more I don't think you'll find a stock one putting out less than 300 hp, which will supply 'vigorous performance' in most applications.

[crayonjota]

Probably right about every man and his dog having one, but it doesnt make it right. I had a Rover 3.5 V8, you know the motor that buick couldnt make work that went on to win countless F1 races. Top car and plenty of grunt for a brittish car, but I digress. When I came to LA I thought that with petrol prices being cheaper than soda I would have me a big ole 5.7 monster, so I purchased a Chevrolet Impala and frankly my RS escort with a BDA 1800 engine would smoke the thing without trying in a straight line and leave it for a beached whale in a corner. I was disapointed. I was also troubled that five minutes after parking the thing would still be rocking on its woefully underdamped and overengineered suspension.. All the cop cars in american movies do the same thing, and they, I assume have beefed up suspension.....

CJ

[Hotblack]

There are Impalas and then there are Impalas... and not many of them are noted for cornering prowess, whatever's under the hood.