Anyone in Region 4 know carbs?

[Fourstring]

So, I have a carb'd bike.  It happens.

I know what carbs do and how they work (in theory).  I can name a couple of parts that make up a carb.  On a really good day, I can even spell carburetor.

But I don't understand them.  I've got these 4 weird dirty silver pods sitting off the back of my engine, and they're a total mystery.  Now, my carbs are broken, or out of tune, or something, and I have to admit there's not much I can do about it besides run a can of seafoam or pay the mechanic.

In my short time on bikes, I've gone from not being able to find the oil filter (thanks, Ed) to adjusting my own valves, fluids, forks, ignition, and brakes.  But carbs are freakin' voodoo.  If I'm going to take riding seriously, I feel I need to know about this.  Given what else I've learned, I don't think carbs have to be beyond my grasp.

Here's my plea:  would anyone be willing to show a noob the ropes on carbs?  I'll bring the beverage of choice and pay you what I can.

[black hills]

The very basic level of carb repair (usually solves the probem) is to clean the jets. Take off the bowl (bottom) usually 4 screws. You will see two (pilot and main) jets. They are a brass looking screw. Remove them and clean them up. Re-install and give it a try. Once you get them apart they are not as intimidating as you think they are. Other than that I am no help. sorry...

[bomber]

Carbs are pretty easy, specially with a stock setup (which I believe you have) --

I believe I'm still in region 4 ;-}

Also, you know the location of the Entropy Lab (and I pickie swear not to touch cir-clips!)

[Mark Milanowski]

If you learn 25% of what is available on this site you will know more than 75% of dealer mechanics out there.

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

Your Welcome.

[DavidLSI]

If you learn 25% of what is available on this site you will know more than 75% of dealer mechanics out there.

http://www.dansmc.com/MC_repaircourse.htm

Your Welcome.

Wow, that look like a great resource, I am bookmarking that...
Thanks Mark

[Fourstring]

That is a really cool resource.  Thanks!

The bike has also developed a serious oil leak, so I think BBK in Elgin is getting this one.  I'd still like to give this a shot some weekend if you're free!

[FZ1 Matt]

That is a really cool resource.  Thanks!

The bike has also developed a serious oil leak, so I think BBK in Elgin is getting this one.  I'd still like to give this a shot some weekend if you're free!

What did you buy that bike for? How old is it? How many miles?

I think it's time to just put the old girl down    

[Fourstring]

What did you buy that bike for? How old is it? How many miles?

I think it's time to just put the old girl down      

It's a '91 Concours, bought it from a farmer/savager in Maribel WI for like two grand. 

It has 48k miles on it according to the odo, but after visiting Baldheadeddork on vacation (remember him?), he voiced strong suspicions that it's already rolled over once.

I'm too broke to buy another bike.   

[bomber]

no reason to put a bike this new down, cept for convenience sake --

string, if you were talkin to me (you talkin to ME?), the next two weekends are no go for me, but anytime after that can be arranged . . . . .

[Fourstring]

no reason to put a bike this new down, cept for convenience sake --

string, if you were talkin to me (you talkin to ME?), the next two weekends are no go for me, but anytime after that can be arranged . . . . .

 

Yeah, I'm talkin' to you!  

No worries, I'm working this weekend anyway.

[oblivion]

A Haynes manual, a forum specific to my bike (xjbikes.com in my case), a ColorTune plug and nothing to lose helped me sack up, strip my carbs, clean them properly (in the words of a forumite @ xjbikes.com, "You may have cleaned your carbs, but you probably didn't really CLEAN your carbs. You've got to really douche the dog snot out of them.") and get them tuned and synced.  If _I_ can do it, you can, too.  I didn't even have the benefit of in-person help.  

Best of luck.

BTW, if you require a ColorTune, my liberal tool rental policy strictly requires beer as currency - I may change that to gasoline, soon.

[bomber]

String -- yer on, of course -- a source of roadside red would be much appreciated, as all and sundry greatly enjoyed it . . . ..

I got no color-tune (though drolled over em for longer than I care to admit), but with the manual and some time, I'm thinkin we can get it right --

if you can come close to affording it, a rebuild kit is a good idea when opening up the carbs -- having it means that all the gaskets will separate cleaning -- often, not having it means making gaskets outa cardboard (you don't have to ask, do you?)

[krumgrinder]

I, too, was once scared of carbs... but no more!

I'm still nowhere near an expert, but I've had two banks of four off of two different bikes now, so I have a modest level of comfort.  On the first set (a year and a half ago) I had a friend to advise, but I still did all the wrenching, cleaning, replacing and re-installing.  That was on my '87 Radian, as I needed a decent running bike for my daughter to learn on.  Second time around was this past March/April, when my Conc sucked up a metal shaving and stuck the #1 needle valve open on my way home from Moonshine.  Did that job all by my lonesome, and man is that a confidence builder!

For a '91, you should probably be prepared to also replace the air box and engine side boots as they will be stiff and maybe cracked from age and heat.  Also replace the float needles and bowl gaskets.  I also added a hex cap screw kit from Murph, but this is not necessary; do be sure to use a large enough philips head bit so you don't strip any/all of the brass screws!  Not a cheap job, but well worth it as getting those buggers out and back in is not something you want to do any more than you have to...  And, it will probably run ALOT better after.  Oh, and I also drilled out my idle/air mixture caps and re-set all my screws- very good to do while at it.  You are a little out of my neighborhood to stop by, but I will help by email or forum thread if you want!

Looking back on this, and with my really low-level of wrenching skills, it helped to have a friend advise but really I could've done it by myself with the manual and some time.  For me, it was necessary to research and read alot first, then just jump in and get going.  With this forum, and the COG forum (huge amount of info in recent threads there) if you go there, you should have all the support you need to get the job done and overcome your fear!!!

[Breadman]

You bet I do!  I just finished a massive plate of spaghetti.

[oblivion]

I got no color-tune (though drolled over em for longer than I care to admit), but with the manual and some time, I'm thinkin we can get it right --

Well, it's here for the borrowin' if you want it.

[bomber]

Mr. Oblivion -- thanks a million for the offer sir! I appreciate it greatly --

I generally see my role in these passion plays as that of a friendly standby -- in other words, String will be doing the work, with me chillin in hte Luddite Lounge area of the Entropy Lab to offer tips, tricks, amusing anecdotes and like that -- he's (String, than is) rational (mostly), and capable of critical thought, which means he already knows 80% of what he needs to know to spin wrenches -- lots of small bits and pieces (carbs, gearboxes) can be daunting, and it's good to know there's backup (that'd be me) in the neighborhood . . .

WHich is, of course, the FM version of "I'll let String decide on the tools and methodology since he'll be doint the work"

thanks again

[sscully]

I also have a color tune if you want to borrow it, as well as a Morgan Carb stick, and I also have a set of carbs still in the rack, off a '93 ZG, if you want to borrow them to look at / play with prior to diving into your carbs.

I got them some time ago off COG for spares, as the cost was less then a single carb bowl.

If you need a heat gun for the boots, I have one as well, works better then a hairdryer, just don't crank it all the way up and burn them  

Let me know if you want to use any of this, and we can find a place to meet up, I'm not that far from you in Bensenville.

Page 3 on my pbase account has some pictures of the carbs on a bench, prior to getting my Dale Walker kit, playing with trying to find a brass washer to shim the needles.

http://www.pbase.com/sscully/motorcycle&page=3

[Fourstring]

 


WHich is, of course, the FM version of "I'll let String decide on the tools and methodology since he'll be doint the work"

thanks again

Awww, thanks for the vote of confidence.

Of course, I'm reminded of the time you took a dremel to my clutch whilst I sat there with a cup of coffee...  

[bomber]

shhhhhhhh -- what happens in the Entropy Lab STAYS in the Entropy Lab

and, what happens in the Luddite Lounge never, ever, happened at all.

[mxvet57]

shhhhhhhh -- what happens in the Entropy Lab STAYS in the Entropy Lab

and, what happens in the Luddite Lounge never, ever, happened at all.