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colortune kit....worth the $70???

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  • #1

    colortune kit....worth the $70???

    hey there folks....been researching colortune and was wondering if it was worth the $70 for the kit......i know i could p*mp some of my buddies if i could get the "rebel devil" running right....they have been really asking the questions about what i have done 2 her.......they know i want this s*cker 2 scream and think so far that i don't know what i am doing...(i'm not 2 sure myself, but with you all as my support group, i know i'll get her running fast!)......any thoughts, comments, or rude remarks will be appreciated......i can't see any negatives about doing it, but i want 2 hear from XS11 members in the field that have tried it and what their results were...lastly, what is the correct size for plug...i was thinking 14 mm, but advice will be greatly considered....thanx in advance....ross
    rebel devil
    1979 xs 1100f standard
    authenic historical vehicle
    42°36'23.52"N, 82°52'44.78"W
    "I'M IN MY HAPPY PLACE"
    "i got 14 jobs mon....you only got 1 job....you lazy bones mon"
    "if you don't wrench on it, get behind me satan!"
    '96 venture cct.....installed!
    stainless, braided, pvc coated brake lines
    i can translate...deustch, nederlands, 汉语, 漢語, français, ελληνικά, italiano, 한국어, português, русско, español and most importantly, 日本語....
    Tags: None
  • #2
    I have used the carbtune for years. Have used it on at least a dozen different bikes. Now I have the carbtune pro. It seems to work very well. I think this type of tool is indispensable.
    1985 Yamaha VMX12n "Max X" - Stock
    1982 Honda XL500r "Big Red" - Stump Puller. Unknown mileage.
    1974-78 Honda XL350 hybrid - The thumper that revs. Unknown miles.
    1974 Suzuki TC/TS125 hybrid. Trials with trail gear. Invaluable. Unknown miles.
    1971 Honda CL350. For Dad. Newtronic Electronic Ign. Reliable. Unknown miles.

    Formerly:
    1982 XS650
    1980 XS1100g
    1979 XS1100sf
    1978 XS1100e donor

    Comment

    • #3
      hey there ae7f...thanx 4 the response...not sure, but is carbtune and colortune the same kit.....where did u get yours from?...i saw a place called eastwood that had them available.....btw...any chance ya wanna sell yours???...hehehehe...ross
      rebel devil
      1979 xs 1100f standard
      authenic historical vehicle
      42°36'23.52"N, 82°52'44.78"W
      "I'M IN MY HAPPY PLACE"
      "i got 14 jobs mon....you only got 1 job....you lazy bones mon"
      "if you don't wrench on it, get behind me satan!"
      '96 venture cct.....installed!
      stainless, braided, pvc coated brake lines
      i can translate...deustch, nederlands, 汉语, 漢語, français, ελληνικά, italiano, 한국어, português, русско, español and most importantly, 日本語....

      Comment

      • #4
        colortune

        Yeah man, 14 MM is the right size. I have one, I don't swear by it, but it does come in helpful to look in the combustion chamber while the bike is running. Gotta have a strong spark when using one of these or else the engine will misfire.
        2H7 (79) owned since '89
        3H3 owned since '06

        "If it ain't broke, modify it"

        ☮

        Comment

        • #5
          Sorry...

          Yeah, I have a colortune too. I think it is marginally useful, mostly for trying to get your idle mix even. Can't run it too long or it will get too hot. Also, mine produces erratic combustion when it is in use - probably spark gap.
          1985 Yamaha VMX12n "Max X" - Stock
          1982 Honda XL500r "Big Red" - Stump Puller. Unknown mileage.
          1974-78 Honda XL350 hybrid - The thumper that revs. Unknown miles.
          1974 Suzuki TC/TS125 hybrid. Trials with trail gear. Invaluable. Unknown miles.
          1971 Honda CL350. For Dad. Newtronic Electronic Ign. Reliable. Unknown miles.

          Formerly:
          1982 XS650
          1980 XS1100g
          1979 XS1100sf
          1978 XS1100e donor

          Comment

          • #6
            It is very much NOT worth it. Others may love it, I never cared for it. Great idea, bad design. My wideband O2 sensor/controller proved what I already suspected. The Colortune sucks and will make you set your carbs WAY rich. Not to mention that it ONLY works for idle. JMHO
            Last edited by 81xsproject; 05-22-2008, 07:10 AM.
            '81 XS1100 SH

            Melted to the ground during The Valley Fire

            Sep. 12th 2015

            RIP

            Comment

            • #7
              Lets see....its been over 27 years owning the same XS and have never used a color tune. IMHO you do not need one.

              Considering everything else is right on your carbs, adjusting the idle mixture is nothing more than a good ear, a light hand and some patience. If from scratch I start at 1 1/2 turns out from LIGHTLY seated. Then, at operating temperature, screw in 1/8 turn each until the motor starts to stumble. The patience part is waiting about 15 seconds between each turn of the screw to let the idle circuit level out. Then back off 1/8 turn each until you get the highest RPM with a smooth idle and you are set.

              Besides, once you crack the throttle a bit you are off idle and the setting of the mixture screw makes no difference at all.
              Mike Giroir
              79 XS-1100 Special

              Once you un-can a can of worms, the only way to re-can them is with a bigger can.

              Comment

              • #8
                Color-tuning ROX

                I love the carbtune/color-tune combo . They have to be used in concert .Pilot mixture goes up to 4k revs so if you criuse at 3.5-4 krevs ...You are tuing for your cruising speed and below .YOu can set your mixture as rich or lean as you wish . I use an emergence of yellow flame to get my beast to run smooth.If anything the instructuions will have you running a bit lean if you tune out all the yellow for the bunsen-burner blue.
                Tunning mixture by the color of the combustion as it happens. What could be more kool .If I had a exhaust /gas analizer I might be picky too BUT ...
                This is the cats a$$ ,whiskers and well you know ...

                I cant say enough...

                Dont take my word for it - Google this for the history
                Last edited by 81xsproject; 05-23-2008, 03:14 PM.
                XJ1100K
                Avon rubber
                MikesXS black coils
                Iridium plugs w/ 1k caps
                MikesXS front master
                Paragon SS brake lines (unlinked)
                Loud Horns (Stebel/Fiamm)
                Progressive fork springs
                CIBIE headlight reflector
                YICS Eliminator

                Comment

                • #9
                  These motors are fairly simple. You don't need a freakin laboratory to get them running right. Get yourself a set of carb sticks, or that new one without mercury and a cheap external tach (the on-board tach won't show small changes in revs).The old Sun tachs show up on Ebay occaisionally, they have good low scale.

                  Then do the synch as so many here have described, I think Diverray wrote it best. Look it up.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    For you maybe

                    Simple for the guru's maybe but complicated for the new owner/new rider/ less mechanically oriented type - like me
                    XJ1100K
                    Avon rubber
                    MikesXS black coils
                    Iridium plugs w/ 1k caps
                    MikesXS front master
                    Paragon SS brake lines (unlinked)
                    Loud Horns (Stebel/Fiamm)
                    Progressive fork springs
                    CIBIE headlight reflector
                    YICS Eliminator

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      thanx for all the response back....

                      hey there folks....i see the "colortune" issue is very opinionated.....so let me reply back....

                      ae7f....thanx for your view....i do think it is also a very good idea, but not sure about spending the $$$'s for it....trust me, per SHMBO, the "rebel devil charity fund" is just about running in the "red"....i really like your honest opinion about it being marginal at best.....and the fact about it faults.....in the field results...very cool....

                      bikerphil....also, thanx for your view....just like ae7f....it's these in the field results that got me thinking that "itz not sucha good purchase!"

                      81xsproject....as i have mentioned before to others, i respect the wisdom of those who have been there before me.....trust me, the way she is running right now, i don't need her running any richer....gas mpg is bad and these gas prices ain't helpin'......

                      TADracer.....once more, the wisdom come to the front of the pack....i have only owned this one 3 years and seem to learn something new almost everytime i sign on here....owing one from the showroom must be really nice...knowing every sound and rattle and knowing just what it is.....i wanted to buy one back in '79, but i was only 13 and was in the hospital on my birthday recovering from a motorcycle accident....just couldn't sell it to mom and dad....as far as the idle screws go, i got them set at 1-1/2 turns out, vacuum synced (or so i think, per the gauges) and she still is running rough....like i said above, gas mpg s*cks...about 75 mile per tank or so (have not run her empty just down 2 the E on the fuel gauge)....i will be trying your suggestion about turning them down 1/8 turn each and waiting 15 sec for them to adjust.....i will let u know...

                      Axel....i'm not sure if you are beating a broken drum, but the masses are against you...but, you make it sound like what i have seen....quite the "wonder" tool....i have seen video of it operating at different speeds and it seems to tell you real quick how the cylinder is burning...the page also suggested to use the slight yellow flame for correct mix and to stay away from the cobalt blue flame...

                      randy.....thanx for your input....i know you hold XSive wisdom and also know your sh*t.....i like the honest approach about it being simple...simple is cheap in my language.....have a sync setup, but will look into the tach....

                      Axel...i hear ya about some not knowing everything to do.....i have a pretty good knowledge of understanding how something works, but if it is not explained correctly, then, i have no idea of how to fix it....this goes on at my work all the time and it cost time as the boss doesn't explain the job and then when it is wrong, guess who's butt is gonna get chewed......and guess who better fix it asap....

                      the reason for the thread is that i have gone thru h*ll to get these carbs right and she still runs slugish....she starts right up cold with full choke (enricher, whatever!!!)....about 1 minute, i turn her down 2 half and take off...i have notice that as i go down the road she runs rough but constant...sorta vibrates (WOW!)....i notice it in the mirrors....when i come up 2 a red light, i let off the throttle and start 2 downshift....thats when the poppin' starts.....not bad, but annoying....doesn't stop until i stop and get her 2 idle back down.....on the take off, no poppin' but only slight "pucker factor"....btw, since did so good at work and my boss has no work for me, i have 2morrow off and all ideas will be mulled over and tried in the man-cave 2morrow...thank 4 all the advice so far...ross
                      rebel devil
                      1979 xs 1100f standard
                      authenic historical vehicle
                      42°36'23.52"N, 82°52'44.78"W
                      "I'M IN MY HAPPY PLACE"
                      "i got 14 jobs mon....you only got 1 job....you lazy bones mon"
                      "if you don't wrench on it, get behind me satan!"
                      '96 venture cct.....installed!
                      stainless, braided, pvc coated brake lines
                      i can translate...deustch, nederlands, 汉语, 漢語, français, ελληνικά, italiano, 한국어, português, русско, español and most importantly, 日本語....

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        videos...

                        hey there folks...here's the video's i was talking about....

                        http://www.gadgetjq.com/Vulcan_1500_Idle_Mixture_Test.wmv
                        http://www.gadgetjq.com/Vulcan_1500_Mixture_Test.wmv

                        ross
                        rebel devil
                        1979 xs 1100f standard
                        authenic historical vehicle
                        42°36'23.52"N, 82°52'44.78"W
                        "I'M IN MY HAPPY PLACE"
                        "i got 14 jobs mon....you only got 1 job....you lazy bones mon"
                        "if you don't wrench on it, get behind me satan!"
                        '96 venture cct.....installed!
                        stainless, braided, pvc coated brake lines
                        i can translate...deustch, nederlands, 汉语, 漢語, français, ελληνικά, italiano, 한국어, português, русско, español and most importantly, 日本語....

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Even I can do it

                          I dont know jackshat about carbs but I dont have to because I know people with carbtune and color-tune . We get together a couple of times a year and tune up everbody's bike (XJ's) . I can do it myself after being shown once . Any setup without a accurate method to sync and color-tune (set mixture) at the same time is chasing your tail .
                          XJ1100K
                          Avon rubber
                          MikesXS black coils
                          Iridium plugs w/ 1k caps
                          MikesXS front master
                          Paragon SS brake lines (unlinked)
                          Loud Horns (Stebel/Fiamm)
                          Progressive fork springs
                          CIBIE headlight reflector
                          YICS Eliminator

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            tail chasin'....

                            hey there Axel...hear ya about the tail chasin'......feel like i have been doing that for about 4 weeks now.....SWMBO is gettin' mighty aggrevated.......grrrrr.....ross
                            rebel devil
                            1979 xs 1100f standard
                            authenic historical vehicle
                            42°36'23.52"N, 82°52'44.78"W
                            "I'M IN MY HAPPY PLACE"
                            "i got 14 jobs mon....you only got 1 job....you lazy bones mon"
                            "if you don't wrench on it, get behind me satan!"
                            '96 venture cct.....installed!
                            stainless, braided, pvc coated brake lines
                            i can translate...deustch, nederlands, 汉语, 漢語, français, ελληνικά, italiano, 한국어, português, русско, español and most importantly, 日本語....

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Ross,
                              If the mileage is down, try setting the float levels!!! Sounds dumb, but it can get you up to the proper level. I'm doing a set of carbs for "daily ride" as well as Blkmage, and I DO keep the floats about 1mm HIGHER than stock. Runs well, and I get about 38 MPG with the stock final drive, and about 42MPG with the 750 final drive.
                              I DO vacuum sync, adjust the idle mixture, and vacuum sync once more to set everything up.
                              Ray Matteis
                              KE6NHG
                              XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
                              XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!

                              Comment

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