How I will be spending my long 4th of July "weekend"

[bbytes]

I was thinking about just doing something like this.
http://www.powerchutes.com/manometer.asp

Manometers are a simple physics experiment really. No need to spend $100+ on something you can make for $2.

Z1 looks like a nice site, but they have very little in terms of my carburetors. I couldn't find the pilot fuel screw on there either.

 

[BigD_83]

Z1 is more than the website shows. Give them a call or email to ask about parts you don't see on there. They can most likely get you what you need.

 

[cowboyup3371]

I was thinking about just doing something like this.
http://www.powerchutes.com/manometer.asp

Manometers are a simple physics experiment really. No need to spend $100+ on something you can make for $2.

Z1 looks like a nice site, but they have very little in terms of my carburetors. I couldn't find the pilot fuel screw on there either.

How much of that science experiment are you really going to be willing to continue proving to get your bike to run correctly? Many have tried to make home made manometers and failed because of differences with fluid and how it is supposed to work. Do a titles only search for manometers and carb sync tool. You'll be surprised.

Honestly, I'd rather ride so I spent the $100 on a carbtune that I can do the job in 15 minutes-ish and be back on the road.

 

[bbytes]

I'm not seeing these negative posts. Although honestly, I didn't look past the first page of results.

The manometer I linked to is about as simple as it can get. It only shows you the difference across two carbs, not the vacuum on all 4 at once, but that's all that matters. Sync the middle two to each other, then sync the outside ones to the middle ones. Sure, it takes longer, but if you set it up correctly, you can very accurately measure the difference between two carbs.

Things like the carb tunes don't show you the difference, they show you each individual vacuum. While that is interesting information, its not needed for a sync. A sync is just matching vacuums, not necessarily setting the vacuums to a certain pressure. Since I don't really need to know the exact pressure, just the difference, I can set up a very accurate pressure differential gauge and tune my carbs for $2. Maybe if I had 5 motorcycles and did syncs every week would I justify the $100 carbtune, but I don't. I don't mind spending a little time building something to do exactly the same thing as the carb tune for much less money.

 

[Steve]

I was thinking about just doing something like this.
http://www.powerchutes.com/manometer.asp

If you read that carefully, it is for a two-cylinder bike. To do the job properly, you need to read all four cylinders at the same time.

Manometers are a simple physics experiment really. No need to spend $100+ on something you can make for $2.

No, they have actually progressed beyond the "experiment" phase and are in full production.

And, if you can actually build one that works and works WELL for $2, please share with us, we would all like to build one, too.

Hey, let's go extravagant, feel free to spend up to $10.

I will go a step farther. Build a manometer that works for a four-cylinder bike for $10 or less, document your build, show receipts and a video of it working, I will pay you every bit of that $10.

Z1 looks like a nice site, but they have very little in terms of my carburetors. I couldn't find the pilot fuel screw on there either.

How hard did you look? Click HERE to see what I found with a brief search for "mikuni fuel screw".

.

The manometer I linked to is about as simple as it can get. It only shows you the difference across two carbs, not the vacuum on all 4 at once, but that's all that matters. Sync the middle two to each other, then sync the outside ones to the middle ones. Sure, it takes longer, but if you set it up correctly, you can very accurately measure the difference between two carbs.

Hang on to that cherished little thought as you chase your tail trying to sync two at a time. Those of us that can see all four at once are amused and amazed at how making one adjustment affects ALL FOUR cylinders.

I will repeat my offer above. Shall we also set a reasonable time limit? How about the end of August?

Show me video of a working four-cylinder manometer that you have built for $10 or less, and I will reimburse you for every penny you spent. And you get to keep your manometer.

.

 

[cowboyup3371]

The manometer I linked to is about as simple as it can get. It only shows you the difference across two carbs, not the vacuum on all 4 at once, but that's all that matters. Sync the middle two to each other, then sync the outside ones to the middle ones. Sure, it takes longer, but if you set it up correctly, you can very accurately measure the difference between two carbs.

Things like the carb tunes don't show you the difference, they show you each individual vacuum. While that is interesting information, its not needed for a sync. A sync is just matching vacuums, not necessarily setting the vacuums to a certain pressure. Since I don't really need to know the exact pressure, just the difference, I can set up a very accurate pressure differential gauge and tune my carbs for $2. Maybe if I had 5 motorcycles and did syncs every week would I justify the $100 carbtune, but I don't. I don't mind spending a little time building something to do exactly the same thing as the carb tune for much less money.

Sorry but I disagree. I knew my carbs were out of synch because I felt the vibrations above a certain RPM. Threw my carb tune on and guess what, the number 4 carb was so far off it wasn't even funny. I began the process of setting them properly by starting with number 2 and I could see the effects on number 4. Went to number 1 and saw changes across all four carbs. Finally did number 4 and guess what, got it right.

It's the interaction of all 4 that the proper manometer shows so when you are running down the road you have a smooth running bike.

 

[bbytes]

And, if you can actually build one that works and works WELL for $2, please share with us, we would all like to build one, too.

Hey, let's go extravagant, feel free to spend up to $10.

I will go a step farther. Build a manometer that works for a four-cylinder bike for $10 or less, document your build, show receipts and a video of it working, I will pay you every bit of that $10.


Show me video of a working four-cylinder manometer that you have built for $10 or less, and I will reimburse you for every penny you spent. And you get to keep your manometer.

Challenge accepted. If I build one that doesn't work, then I'm only out a few dollars, and can go buy the $100 one later. If I do build one that works, then I have a super cheap manometer. So yeah, I'll build a working one.

How hard did you look? Click HERE to see what I found with a brief search for "mikuni fuel screw".

I saw that one too, but it only lists these bikes:
Suzuki GS1000 GS850 GS750
and these carbs:
Mikuni VM24 VM26 VM28

I have a GS550L with VM22ss carbs. Plus, that screw doesn't even look like the OEM one. I'll call them in the morning. I keep forgetting to because I'm at work, and they close before I get off.

 

[Steve]

Challenge accepted.

I saw that one too, but it only lists these bikes:
Suzuki GS1000 GS850 GS750
and these carbs:
Mikuni VM24 VM26 VM28

I have a GS550L with VM22ss carbs.

I don't deal that much with the VM carbs, so don't know all the details, but I think that they use the same screw.

Someone that knows more about these carbs will have to verify that, though.

.

 

[hampshirehog]

Same screw.

 

[Steve]

I was going through some old stuff today and came across this thread.

Since there was no resolution in the thread at the time, I thought I would let everybody know that even NOW, mid-February,
5 1/2 months after the deadline, I have not seen any videos of any home-made manometers, working or not.

Yeah, there was a little bit of time spent on pounding the keyboard with the challenge, but so far, not a single dime has left my pocket in his direction.

.