Questioning todays findings

[alke46]

I set the carb air screws to get the best idle setting then did a compression check which showed better numbers than I had suspected.

I put in new plugs and did a 5 mile ride at 1/4 throttle to get the idle circuit readings. Pulled all four plugs and they showed no signs of any coloring. Just looked like they did when I put them in new.
Is this OK or should I have ridden it for more than 5 miles?

I have read the method for plug chops as outlined on BassCliff's site. Am I correct to understand that because my plugs showed no coloration that everything is OK in the idle circuit? Thanks

[seuadr]

i hate to ask it but if #3 was not responding to air ajutment at idle.. when you cleaned the carbs did you pay attention to the #3 idle circuit? sounds like it could be plugged.

[Big T]

When did you last adjust your valves?

[alke46]

i hate to ask it but if #3 was not responding to air ajutment at idle.. when you cleaned the carbs did you pay attention to the #3 idle circuit? sounds like it could be plugged.

It responded to air and carb cleaner being sprayed through it. I also made sure all small holes were clear and open that I could see.

[alke46]

When did you last adjust your valves?

Valves were adjusted at the time the carb cleaning was going on.

[seuadr]

did you check (and preferably) replace the orings between the boots and head when you had the carbs off? what kind of condition are the boots in? still pliable and rubber? i had a cylinder that didn't wanna respond to syncing and it turned out to be a crack in the orin so it was running exceptionally lean.

[alke46]

yes, new o-rings between the boots and head. boots seemed to be OK considering the age of the machine.

[renobruce]

I set the carb air screws to get the best idle setting then did a compression check which showed better numbers than I had suspected.

Setting your air screws won't effect your compression readings. You should have the throttle wide open when doing a compression check (or have the carbs off).

Your plugs should be tan, not white. You are running too lean for some reason. Make sure you have no intake leaks and your airbox is sealed.

[chef1366]

Look at the threads on the spark plug. If the heat range is under 1.5 threads your good. Might take a week or so to show color on the plug.
The heat range shows how hot the cumbustion is.
Is everything stock or did you do some mods.

[alke46]

Look at the threads on the spark plug. If the heat range is under 1.5 threads your good. Might take a week or so to show color on the plug.
The heat range shows how hot the cumbustion is.
Is everything stock or did you do some mods.

I will check the threads tonight.
The PO had an aftermarket exhaust (4 into 2) installed, supposedly by a m/c shop and he claimed they told him the new exhaust would NOT require any rejetting.
I am not sure how much of the PO's statements about the bike are believeable.
Thanks for your input. I will check those threads asap.

[hampshirehog]

A rich mixture will very often show up immediately on new plugs - even after a couple of minutes on tickover. A lean mixture or a correct mixture sometimes takes a wee bit longer to declare - a 'few' miles on new plugs.

The PO + the m/c shop might be right about the exhaust - there are plenty of types ou there that don't require any fiddling with the carbs.

Don't forget that to tune a carb in you need to look at the plugs on tickover, 1/4 throttle, 1/2-3/4 throttle and WOT - (pilot circuit, slide cutaway, needle and main).

[alke46]

A rich mixture will very often show up immediately on new plugs - even after a couple of minutes on tickover. A lean mixture or a correct mixture sometimes takes a wee bit longer to declare - a 'few' miles on new plugs.

The PO + the m/c shop might be right about the exhaust - there are plenty of types ou there that don't require any fiddling with the carbs.

Don't forget that to tune a carb in you need to look at the plugs on tickover, 1/4 throttle, 1/2-3/4 throttle and WOT - (pilot circuit, slide cutaway, needle and main).

Thanks hampshirehog. Very informative. This is the reason I joined the GSResources forum.

I will do the 1/2-3/4 throttle and WOT just as soon as this damned North wind quits blowing and the temperature gets above 40*F.

[duaneage]

A replacement 4-2 exhaust should be OK from a tuning standpoint, unless it is extensively modified, like no baffles. When you change things on the airbox side by going to pods, well then your going to be re-jetting for sure. Especially with CV carbs.

Is the bike hesitating or showing signs of fuel starvation, like sputtering at high RPM or lacking power?

[alke46]

A replacement 4-2 exhaust should be OK from a tuning standpoint, unless it is extensively modified, like no baffles. When you change things on the airbox side by going to pods, well then your going to be re-jetting for sure. Especially with CV carbs.

Is the bike hesitating or showing signs of fuel starvation, like sputtering at high RPM or lacking power?

No the bike is running pretty much like it should be running. The performance seems good, I am just trying to fine tune things since the carb dipping.
It acts like it is going to be pretty close without having to do anything inside the carbs

[alke46]

Look at the threads on the spark plug. If the heat range is under 1.5 threads your good. Might take a week or so to show color on the plug.
The heat range shows how hot the cumbustion is.
Is everything stock or did you do some mods.

chef1366, I am not sure exactly what you are talking about here. I have the plugs out now but am not seeing anything on the threads.
sorry, but I am just not familiar with what I am supposed to be seeing.