HELP! Pilot Air Screws

[Phaseman]

I'm worried! A trusted mechanic (auto) friend of mine was taking a look at my carbs which I had pulled off of the bike for cleaning. Now normally this guy is an incredible mechanic....

He was pulling out jets while conversing with someone on the phone and while I wasn't looking took it upon himself to remove the #4 painted over Air screw, he lost track of the turn count.

My manual says DON'T do this - CANNOT be reset!

These are Mikunis off of my 78' GS1000E. I NEED YOU GUYS TONIGHT!!!

 

[ALB80-850]

I'm not a carb expert like some of the guys here, but if I remember correctly, 2 to 2 1/2 turns out from a lightly seated is a good starting point.

Andy

 

[Zooks]

Why not just pull out one of the other ones and accurately count the number of turns?

 

[Zooks]

One more thing - put a mark on the screwdriver to make it easier to see the rotations as you are spinning it. I draw a small stripe down the shaft of the screwdriver (near the tip) with a red permanent marker.

 

[Steve]

It does not matter how many turns it takes to remove the screws. What matters is how far they are open, so turn them in until they are lightly seated, then back them out.

If your '78 is basically stock (airbox, exhaust), start with the fuel screws about 3/4 turn out from lightly seated. Start with the air screws about 1 1/2 turn out. When the bike is started and warmed up, slowly turn the air screws, listening for best (highest) engine speed.


.

 

[Nessism]

That bike has VM carbs so it has both pilot fuel screws and pilot air screws. Your mechanic did just fine; remove the screws. The paint over the screws makes them hard to turn so it's real easy to break off the tips on the pilot fuel screws if you play around with trying to seat the screw before removing them.

When putting the screws back in, set the fuel screw to 7/8 turn from lightly seated and the air screw to 1-3/4 turn. You may have to play around some with the adjustments after the bike is together but this will be reasonably close.

Good luck.

 

[Phaseman]

You Guys Rock!

ALB80-850 - Thanks Alb80

Zooks - Considered that, but was afraid they all might be different? And killer tip on the screwdriver marking!

Steve - Thanks, I read somewhere that carb 3 is master, tune 2 to 3, then tune 1 to 4 Balancing wise?

Nessism - Thanks Ness, that sounds like it will at least get her started up.

Hey! I found a guy on ebay from my state that seems to sell tons of carbs and has good feedback. Anyone heard of this seller store?
sellmastersrus07

 

[BassCliff]

Hi Mr. Phaseman,

I believe the only reason the manual says not to change these settings is because they were set at the factory (or dealer) to comply with government emissions requirements of the day. If you find a Canadian or other non-US manual, it will tell you about how many turns to set.

There are a few different procedures to set them: "highest idle", Colortune, plug chops, or just use the wisdom of the more experienced gurus here. These guys really do rock!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassClff

 

[Nessism]

Hey! I found a guy on ebay from my state that seems to sell tons of carbs and has good feedback. Anyone heard of this seller store?
sellmastersrus07

Looks like a waste of money to me. Get some O-rings from cycleorings.com and a gallon of carb dip for $20 and get busy. You will save $200 over buying those carbs on ebay.

 

[Phaseman]

Hi Mr. Phaseman,

I believe the only reason the manual says not to change these settings is because they were set at the factory (or dealer) to comply with government emissions requirements of the day. If you find a Canadian or other non-US manual, it will tell you about how many turns to set.

There are a few different procedures to set them: "highest idle", Colortune, plug chops, or just use the wisdom of the more experienced gurus here. These guys really do rock!

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassClff

Thanks much BassCliff,
First time I've seen your web page! Good work, I'm excited to spend some time on it.