Carb tuning help needed for '79 550

[willie]

I've done my research and haven't found exactly what I'm looking for. I have soaked the carbs for over 24 hrs and every passageway and component is clean as new. The bike fired right up and settled into a decent idle but, until it was very warm, bogged when I gave it gas. There are 2 screws on each carb. One is underneath and one is on the side. Outa curiosity, what is the procedure to adjust these screws? I counted the # of turns out each were when I disassembled everything and reset them to that OEM position. I have a feeling I can do better than that IF I knew how to go about it. Can anyone provide me with the proper procedure? Thanks in advance.
Willie

[Nessism]

On my old 550E with stock intake and exhaust, the bike ran best with the fuel screws set to 7/8 turn out and the air screws were set to about 1.5 turns. Typically you pick a setting for the fuel screw - between .75 -1.0 turns, and then the air screw is set to achieve the highest idle speed. If you can't notice a change in idle speed when turning the air screws, just set them to all the same level - about 1.5 - 2.0 turns out.

Of course this all assumes you have done all the basic maintenance such as a valve adjustment and cleaning the air filter.

Good luck.

[willie]

Thanks for responding Ed, the initial settings you listed were exactly what mine were to begin with and are now. In addition, valves and points are set to spec and plugs are new. I have to ask, was your's cold blooded as well? It has to idle for quite awhile before it'll take any throttle. Also, while I have your attention...was the clutch engagement less than desirable? I've adjusted the cable several times, lubed the mechanism and replaced the cable. I'm still not impressed with its operation.
Thanks again,
Willie

[Nessism]

Yea, it was somewhat cold blooded, but then that's what the choke is for. At first I had the fuel screws set to about 1 turn and it was slightly rich; idle was low when the engine warmed up. Turning in the fuel screws about 1/8 turn or so cleaned it up. Those fuel screws have very sharp tips so they often break off in the carb bodies. You might want to make sure yours are in good shape and the passage is open.

The clutch has a few different locations that can be tweaked. In my experience you are best off to turn in the adjusters at both ends of the clutch cable and then use the helix adjuster in the sprocket cover to adjust the clutch. If you have the right about of freeplay yet the engagement is overly abrubt, the friction plates on your bike may be worn or glazed over.

Good luck.