my turn?

can i have a turn at plug reads advice?


now that i'm convinced i got my brakes fixed, i decided to check into my how she's running. i have cleaned the carbs, but not "church of clean" clean. i'm glad i took a look-see cuz, to me, 3 looks good but 1 and 4 are too lean and 2 is wayyy too lean. for now, i'm leaving 3 alone so i don't know where it's at, but i discovered 1,2 and 4 were all ~1 turn out. right now i have them all at 3.5 turns out.

thing is - it doesn't seem to make much difference. i just took a 3 mile ride and i can't really see any more tan on those plugs than before. i do know i must've done something right because i don't hear the popping in the exhaust like i used to when decelerating, i also had to back off my idle a little bit (getting more fuel, right?), and overall, it feels like it's running smoother.

any body know how many turns before the screw comes right out?

does anyone know if detergents or ethanol in today's "modern" gasoline affect how long you have to run the engine before you see the effects of your pilot screw adjustment on the plugs?

 

Pictures can be really tough to read.

To me 1 and 4 look fine, 3 rich and 2 lean.

 

I agree with Carl - although 1 and may be a bit lean - hard to tell from pic.

Forget about turns and tune the bike to the plug color. Turns are not relevant each carb may differ quite a bit.

 

The pic is a bit out of focus but I think Carl's got it right. And Bill's right, each carb may work well at a different number of turns out. Make sure your valve shim specs are dead on. Then do a good carb sync. THEN do a colortune to get the carbs just right. The valve shims are critical. Without them in correct spec, carb syncs are pretty much a waste of time.
thx,
baz

 

sorry about the blurry pic - my cell phone's all i got. in retrospect, that's a pretty accurate representation of how it looked (got done with midnight shift and had a couple beers when i decided to take a look at my plugs).

i've checked my valve clearances and everything is on the loose side of spec except #2 exhaust is on the tight side of in spec. i take it when i re-shim #2 exhaust, i'll need to re-tune that cylinder?

i've been asking around to see if anyone i know can hook me up with a colortune. i can't justify spending that kind of money if i think i can get by without it (why rent a trencher if you've got a shovel?)

does carb synch have a (major) impact on plug color as well? or is mainly pilot adjustment?

i thought the order was: valves, pilot screws, synch, repeat.

 

yes sync can have an effect also - you have the right order. While a color tune is pricey I think it's worth it. Gets you in the ball park fast then you fine tune.

But you can get by without one no problem. Keep tweeking - you are looking for that paper bag tan color.

 

funny you mention paper bag - i was thinking the same think when i got home this morning. i tweaked a bit and they're all showing some color now. too bad i acquired this habit of working midnights and drinking beer in the AM - otherwise i'd be ridin and choppin. i was a little worried about #2.

it was so white that i decided to start the bike up and disconnect the wire and see if it was even getting any gas - that was when i realized the YICS system could make that plug get some gas to it, even if #2 carb wasn't delivering any fuel.

to my relief, i ran it some more with wires attached as should be and i'm now seeing some tan on that plug, too.

i must admit this is some pretty fun stuff. i did decide to carry a spare set of plugs with me in case i over-rich, foul plugs, and strand myself in the process.

 

Good idea I usually carry a couple jest in case anyway.