The Carbtune tool rocks! But Colortune is not so easy...

[Ola]

I made a quick video of the Carbtune. If you're sitting on the fence on this, jump off now. I also got the Carbtool, the combined lock nut socket and adjustment screwdriver - it really helped out, particularly on the middle adjustment screw which is an absolute bitch to reach, even with the carbtool.

Of course you can roll your own from plastic tubes and a colored fluid, but I would have spent many days getting that right. This was a cruise, even though I didn't get it perfect - mostly due to not having enough tinker time.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asM3kQWPmLM

I also got the Colortune see-through spark plug for adjusting idle mix, but it didn't work. I can see a spark when I rev the engine but there's no combustion going on. At first I thought the ambient light was too bright, but when the idle didn't change after pulling the cap I realized the cylinder wasn't running. At least I can say the bike runs really smooth on 3 pots after syncing it up!

Here you can see the difference between the Colortune and the regular plug. The spark sits a lot higher up in the hole compared to the stock plug, I suppose that could make ignition a bit difficult. But anyway, the colortune is sparking, the cylinder is running fine on stock plugs (I tried it on two different cylinders), but it won't ignite the charge. How do I make it do that? Tips and ideas appreciated!

And no, I'm not paid by the Carbtune guy, just happy with my purchase.

 

[atchbo]

Did you use the copper doughnut washer that comes with the Colortune? Your picture doesn't show it, and that could mean you aren't getting sealing/compression.

I bought an old Colortune from ebay (new old stock with minor surface rust...) and it works. The colour change is impressive, turning from yellow to blue depending on revvs, fuel mix, etc.

 

[Greg B]

God kveld,
Sounds like that cylinder is running rich. I was having the same problem on my 1150. Too much fuel drowns the plug. Check your float level and make sure all passages and orifices in that carb are clear.
By the way, loved the photos of Norge. I don't think I've been any farther north than Ski. The kone has an aunt from Bergen.

 

[Stefnwolf]

I used a colortune recently and it worked fine.
I did not use the copper washer, as it wont stay on the plug. Because the motor is hot, and the recesses difficult to get to, I just screwed the colortune in fingertight using the extention cable it comes with. All four cylinders ran fine with it in.

I'll second Greg B about the mixture though. I tried screwing a mixture screw right out just to see the change in colour, and at the extreme the cylinder stopped firing.

 

[Ola]

The kone has an aunt from Bergen.

Tell her happy 17th of May and see if she gets angry or happy about a motorcycle in the museum park!

Thanks for the tips guys. It runs fine otherwise, but you're probably right about the mixture being off. Last time I cleaned the carbs I set the pilots screws 2 turns out which I think should be on the lean side? When I try again I'll go through the range and see if I can't get some flames going.