In-line fuel filter & Seafoam & Idle Speed

[Mendizale]

There is only one fuel line that enters the carbs on each side, so that is where they get installed. Look for small filters like these. I got them at Cycle Gear (they had to order them for me).

Is there a filter rate--ie, micron size--that you recommend? The website you list provides three options.

[CatatonicBug]

Is there a filter rate--ie, micron size--that you recommend? The website you list provides three options.

They only offer one of them. It's part number 707C. They order from Parts Unlimited. Here is the link to the specific part.

[Mendizale]

Thanks CatatonicBug--very helpful. Based on your counsel, I think I found a local store that sells them.

[DGXSER]

As for fuel filter, HERE is the one I use, I got two at a local ATV off road MC shop for about $5 a piece.

If you go with the single gage route, I recommend to build the plenum shown in the tech tips out of 2-3" PVC pipe. I use that with ym Mity-vac and go carb to carb. It might not be as accurate or quick as four gages or the carb tune for sure. It does a good job though if your patient and thorough.

[cywelchjr]

There is a gauge set you can get for about $50 on ebay that works pretty well. It's the round type, but they get the bike running good and that's what really counts.

Look for the ones for Goldwings, those are the ones that work with our bikes just fine, and being there are so many of them out there, stuff for them is out there pretty cheap.

Gotta shop around though, cause the same gauge set can go for as much as $100 (and it's the same gauge set, it just comes with higher quality rubber lines, but for $50 I can replace the lines after I use it once cause they ain't gonna cost me no $50 I can tell you that)

[Mendizale]

Seems like some folks use elbow filters and others use straight ones. Thoughts on what fits better? Also, in general, can these be back-flushed, or should I buy multiple sets if I can get a discount?

[cywelchjr]

If they get clogged, throw them away and replace them. If they get clogged often, figure out where the crap is coming from and fix the problem (clean the rust out of the tank etc). You should be able to run the same filter for a couple years at least, although you might want to replace it either yearly or every couple of years, depending on how much stuff you see it collecting (good reason to use one with a clear body).

[WMarshy]

Welcome!

Just remember, when you put the filters on your lines, try to get the air out of them the best you can. They can complicate things, they kind of get "air locked"... Once you put them on just tap them and try to work the air out, as mentioned before, the clear ones are the best IMO.

[Mendizale]

Thanks Cy and WMarshy.

In response to earlier comments about getting a carb tuner and colortune, I'm wondering what size spark plug these bikes have (in case I have to replace them, and to know what size colortune to get: C 10mm D 12mm B 14mm.) And any thoughts on elbow versus straight filters would be good.

[bikerphil]

14MM spark plugs. BP6ES NGK brand.

[DGXSER]

Here is a picture of my single gage setup. Mity vac situated in view by the rear wheel, plenum to absorb the fluctuations, front end connected to number four synch port.



Take a reading off number four, move it to number three. If four is say 10" and three reads 7.5" I adjust while on three to 8.75". Then check them again. Same process for one and two. And again to bring the pairs together. Then take a reading on each.

[Mendizale]

Hi Folks,

So, I ponied up the money and ordered the Morgan Carbtune and the Colortune. From what I hear, they should arrive sometime between two weeks from now and the end of the world (December 2012, if you're counting).

To help justify this whopping expenditure, I wonder if there's a forum for borrowing expensive or hard-to-find tools, maybe by region? I've looked to no avail. Would it be worth setting something up, or just play it by ear and have people ask when they need something. I simply don't know how common tool lending is in this community.

Either way, current and future readers should feel free to PM me if they'd like to borrow these tools, and we might be able to work something out.

[Ken Talbot]

To help justify this whopping expenditure, I wonder if there's a forum for borrowing expensive or hard-to-find tools, maybe by region? I've looked to no avail.

Interesting concept there. Another way to look at it is how much money you save by doing the work yourself rather than at a shop at $XX per hour, and usually with a minimum one hour or so. I think my local shop is somewhere in the range of 80 or 90 bucks an hour! An hour here, an hour there, and it doesn't take long to have a 300 dollar bill, and often still not have the job done right.

YMMV...

[Mendizale]

Interesting concept there. Another way to look at it is how much money you save by doing the work yourself rather than at a shop at $XX per hour, and usually with a minimum one hour or so. I think my local shop is somewhere in the range of 80 or 90 bucks an hour! An hour here, an hour there, and it doesn't take long to have a 300 dollar bill, and often still not have the job done right.

YMMV...

That's definitely true--I don't suspect it will take long to "pay for itself". But I'm hoping to use the carbtune at most a couple of times a year--the rest of the time, an apparently awesome piece of equipment will sit idle in my garage. If there are people who can use it (and whom I can trust to take care of it), it would be worth it to pass the value around.

I come from a place where people don't always feel they need every tool in the world, but they act neighborly with what they have and things work out. This might not be realistic across the distances that separate the people on XS.com, even if the feeling is there. But shipping isn't crazy expensive, either...

The sharing forum seemed to interest you, Ken. Do you think it's worth setting up a poll to gauge interest in it, or would the moderators already have done it if it were worthwhile?

[Mendizale]

Here is a picture of my single gage setup. Mity vac situated in view by the rear wheel, plenum to absorb the fluctuations, front end connected to number four synch port.

Great picture and idea. Tell me, did the 81 not have the protruding kickstart nub? How do you turn the engine over manually?

David