Carb Synchronizer reccomendations

[uudfourty]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Carburetor-Synchronizer-carb-sync-Gauge-CB550-CB650-EMG_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ43991QQihZ025QQitemZ380018185458QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

Anybody used this el cheapo model?

I know this is one of those "buy the best you can afford" things, but dropping the green for shims is going to make it hard for me to get enough together to get something much better.

I'm going to talk to some people and see if I can borrow one locally, but my prospects aren't looking too likely.

Let me know what you guys think.

Thanks yall.

[Steve]

I have seen one of those used and found it to be a bit awkward. The needles bounce. Yeah, they have dampers, but you still have to look a the numbers (or angles) to make sure they are all aligned. With columns (as used by Motion Pro and Morgan Carbtune), you don't even need numbers, you just line up the four columns.

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[uudfourty]

Super. I was hoping to 'bay one.
Might make one. Dunno if it's worth it.

[windex]

I had very poor experience with them. I borrowed these from a friend and found them prone to getting small rubber shavings in the pin hole in the brass tubes.

Maybe it was just me, but for a little more dough, you gould get something like this...

http://www.z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=1689

I just ordered one 30 minutes ago

[Steve]

That unit from Motion Pro works very well. I have used one and found it to be very easy to use and easy to read, at least on a par with my mercury sticks.
I understand the Carbtune is even better, but I have not used one yet, so I can't speak from experience.

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[doctorgonzo]

My carbtune came in a week ago, waiting on valve check this weekend before I use it. It does look well made and complete. They're (as of a week ago currency conversion rate). $122.00 shipping and all to the US. Pretty pricey for a tool I may not need again for a year or more, but so it goes. I guess I need to buy more bikes!

[Switchman]

I did some searching but it looks like the original CarbStix can't be found. Used to be 20 bucks for the set like I have! A $100 bucks is just ridiculous. You can probably make one for about $20 depending on finding lab grade mercury. Last time I bought it it was hard to find but cheap for a couple grams. I'll chase it a bit and see if I can come up with a decent equivalent for mercury in a manometer.
Oh yeah...using the merc stix...start your engine and warm it up first, then hook up the tubes. And don't blip the throttle...I've had a couple friends suck the mercury from my carbstix right through their engine.

[Steve]

I got my carb stix back in '79 or '80, and they were about $50. :shock:

You wouldn't think that just a little more mercury to fill SIX columns would cost that much more, would you? :-\"

Somehow, I have managed to hang on to these wonderful little Stix for all these years, and ...
I have also managed to acquire enough spare mercury to declare most of southwest oHIo an EPA Hazardous Cleanup Site.

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[Greg O.]

I bought a set of the cheap gauges, and they have worked well for me. Yes it takes a little careful reading to be sure they are all the same, but it can be done. I ended up replacing the vaccume hoses because the ones that come with it are real cheap and crack and leak, so keep that in mind, it will cost a few bucks to replace with some good automotive hoses. The dampers should be closed down just enough to eliminate fluctuation of the gauge needles.

Greg

[Tom MLC]

Purchased that same set of "cheapo" gauges from Z1. It works well if you're patient with it. Comes with little valves you can use to minimize the needle bounce someone mentioned. Best thing about this set is it came with two long and two short brass tubes. Those long tubes are first aid against burned fingers.

Later on I purchased a CARBTUNE. VEry pricey but much more accurate. I still use the long brass tubes from the cheap set.

[Nessism]

I made my own mercury sticks back in the early '80's - some pito tubes and mercury. Used them for many years but ditched them in a move.

Got a set of the econo Motion Pro mercury sticks just as they were being phased out - $50 as I recall. Pretty much junk, very cheap, but they work which is what's important.