To the carb king (K.Krause)

[feelergaugephil]

1981 GS1000G 24K.

All standard apart from 4-1 harris pipe (import) 125 main jet and K/N air filter located in the airbox.

I have the air screws (on top) set at 3 turns out, but it has run rich most of it's rebuilt life, I did try lower them down to 2 turns but it wouldn't run right, I also did notice one time that I test rode it without the chrome covers on the airbox, it would not pull over something like 3K.

I just replaced the base/head gaskets and noticed that the head/valves were really sooty/flakey with carbon, which tells me it's running rich, how can I resolve the problem of running rich?????????

I have not ridden it yet, but on 3.5 turns out, it cranked up within 4 secs (rebuild) and I can smell how rich it is, but I'm afraid if I turn them down to 2 turns out it will act up like it did last time.
Any suggestions?
Phil.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Just saw this on my way off to work. Sorry for late reply.
If you still need help I'll try to come back later tonight.
Couple questions though.
Do you believe this Harris pipe is flowing better than the stock pipe? What makes you think so?
Has compression been checked and is it acceptable?
Have you done any tests to prove good spark?
Are you sure the carbs are stock? And have you verified the jetting is stock other than the main jet and your mixture screw setting?
If you have the time, do me a favor and do a solid 1/3 to 1/2 throttle position run, chop off, and tell us what the plugs look like. Do they lighten up considerably?

[feelergaugephil]

Keith, I screwed them all the way down, then 2 out, it runs perfect!!!! i did 50 miles, and the plugs are a nice light brown! weird actually, 2 years ago, it wouldn't run under 3 turns out!

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Keith, I screwed them all the way down, then 2 out, it runs perfect!!!! i did 50 miles, and the plugs are a nice light brown! weird actually, 2 years ago, it wouldn't run under 3 turns out!

Yes, very odd. Especially since you already tested at those settings with poor results before.
The mixture screws are limited in their effect. Mostly cruising around town will be effected by them. I find it kind of hard to believe the overall performance was cured by turning the screws in one additional turn but I hope you're right.
With the brief info you've provided, I have to wonder if you've got an intermittent problem with good spark. That would certainly allow the bike to run poorly and then good again as you describe.

Just one other thing...I appreciate the confidence showed to me when anyone makes a thread directed only for me. However, there are several other members here who know their stuff too and I don't think it's a good idea to limit yourself to just my opinions. You can see that several members looked at your post but wouldn't answer. I almost didn't see it at all.
It's just always best to get everyone involved. I imagine a few members may even get a bit irritated by this. I just noticed another member making a thread asking for me. That's why I had to stop my PM messaging and take my e-mail off because of too many requests and I felt obligated to answer all of them.
Again, I appreciate it but 2 heads (or more) are usually better than 1.