NOT a typical Hitachi carb issue...?

And an update:

Starter is now kicking like new, didn't even realize how lazy it was before.

RESULT with the carbs though...sort of. It's now within correct pilot screw turns for nice idle, but still having occasional float after blipping the throttle. Though now it's only sometimes and not after every second or third throttle-up. Can't really think why, but I still need to fine adjust the sync.
Also I can't get idle without needing a smidge of the manual idle adjust in but guess that's what to be expected?

The pilot is now the Dellorto #48 and it's possibly still just slightly small as in I can't really open up the pilot screws any more, so might need to up that still. Not going to do that before I get on the road and test the main jet and middle to avoid any more unnecessary rack removals.

Sigh...maybe, just maybe, I'll get this thing running for the weekend...

 

Well, congrats, but for goodness sake man....just buy some correct Hitachi jets and possibly solve all your problems!

We have them, and we can ship to Finland with certain restrictions, but there must be some vendor in Euroland or he UK that offers them? Even some used ones of ebay euro? I see lots of people parting-out XJ model bikes in Germany and the UK...........and jets don't ever really "wear out", so that's not going to be an issue.

 

Yup, I will get the correct jets but at the moment I just wanna get this thing drivable to confirm it's otherwise working.

Like I previously said those jets in correct sizes I need are really scarce up here. If nothing else I'll be ordering them from you among the correct seals. Donor parts aren't really an option because I need non-stock jets + HSC33 carbs are really rare it seems...

One final problem is I need to do the jetting dance all over again with Hitachi jets so I'm gonna procrastinate with that...

 

You'll be happy to know I found a place in Belgium having these jets in stock and every possible size already on their way to me.

While waiting for jets I've cleared my calendar for the weekend and plan to take the exhaust collector off and weld few little holes + those end flutes on permanently. After that I'll probably do a test run with the current setup and if(when) it needs further tune up I'll continue with the correct jets...

As a sidenote I was struggling with the jammy throttle and slow return...long story short after checking the usual suspects I felt like an idiot when the issue was caused by the freaking grip grabbing on the bar-end mirror mounts...

 

I, for one, am now quite happy and proud of you. My crystal ball thinks your issues will soon be gone (after the requisite sizing issues)........kep us posted!

 

Little update:

Got the whole exhaust off again since the headers were completely stuck on the collector, because of course they were...
Sand blasted the collector and spent the whole afternoon plugging what revealed to be a block of swiss cheese with MIG-glue. Gave the whole header/collector setup a fresh black paint and torched it on. Tomorrow time to get new gaskets for the headers and go for a ride, today was otherwise bust since it was absolutely pouring the whole day

 

Well....

Imagine my surprise when it finally stopped raining after a week and I took this Via Dolorosa for a test drive...AND IT FREAKING WORKS.

As a quick sum up all it took was:
- 20mm flutes at the end of the open exhaust collector ends + plugging the small leaks
- 43 pilot with 115 main jets (Dellorto ones)
- needles lifted about 0.4mm
- those extra breathers opened up + having 20cm open ended hoses connected to them
- 70mm tapered stacks between the pod filters and carbs
- solving all the misc. issues I've gone through in this thread

Rode like nothing was ever wrong and was just a joy to drive. Very slight iffy spot right at the 4k mark which is to be expected and the idle is still just a smidge too floaty and uneven.
Hopefully I'll get the idle sorted when the correct jets arrive and I plan to just replace the pilot jet with the 43# Hitachi and main to an 112# Hitachi

I can finally share the current form of the patient, feel free to roast my taste:

 

Nothing to roast if it is what you like and it works, is comfortable for you. Congrats on the tuning and problem solving. Just makes you want to sing and dance the Snoopy Happy Dance when it works. Good for you.

 

Thanks for that, I did expect some backlash from the "purists". The bike was a loss already to restore so now it's a racer. Picture is bad and the bike is dirty, but I'm real happy about the lines. Also surprisingly comfortable to ride and nippy as it weighs a lot less. Because the frame size it's also bigger than it looks (most CB-cafe builds tend to be really compact for a dude my size)

Correction on the previous setup: It actually took a 48# Dellorto pilot jet to get idle, so there's significant flow differences in the jets between makes. Belgium jet delivery for proper jets seems to be taking their sweet time and no tracking for the package either...guess we'll see when(if) they arrive...