weak float valve springs?

[EricHa]

BTW, I'm sure that this been discussed, but where do most people get their carb parts? I do use Mikes, but I've also been ordering from Dennis Kirk, and their shipping is fast and reasonable.

[EricHa]

I received the float tvalves today from Mikes (packaging said Keyster), but ordered the wrong ones evidently. The housings have smaller threads than the stock units, and the float valves conical ends are smaller than the ones in the carbs. I installed the original valve seat assemblies with the new smaller headed float valves. I did this due to the inconsistent spring pressures on the original valves. I just had time to get the carbs back in and fire her up. She was popping a little, and after 2 minutes of running I pulled two plugs. Both were starting to show leaner running.

Will the smaller headed float valves work with the older valve seat housings? I'll reorder if I have to.

[motoman]

Will the smaller headed float valves work with the older valve seat housings? I'll reorder if I have to.

Sounds like they worked for ya'. Would just have to re-adjust float levels accordingly if travel is different.

[EricHa]

Yeah, I guess if gas wasn't running out then the needles worked. I reset all floats back to 26mm. I'm going to do a sync and Colortune tonight.

[EricHa]

Ok, sync and colortune are done. First, thanks to all that have helped me get to where I'm at. I'm trying to get her tuned silky strong from top to bottom, but am honestly not sure how good I can get the low end with a 4 into 1. It's well baffled though, with the fairly quiet Jardine baffle. I only road 30 or so miles with the rusted out OEM exhaust before tearing it down last year, but was impressd with the low end grunt.

The bike runs ok from off idle to 3000rpm, then comes alive. Below 3000rpm is not silky smooth for lack of a better term, but rideable. Plugs look good (tan) with 42.5 pilots and 142.5 mains. Should I try 45 pilots, or deviate from the middle needle notch? I plan to also try 145 mains just to see if more top end power is to be had.

Also, I have only Colortuned at idle. Will higher rpm testing with it show me anything? Sorry for so many questions, but I can use any expertise that the gurus will share. I'm getting close, and I could not have done it with Channe 11!

Eric

[natemoen]

I would say ride it for awhile and see how it runs over a couple weeks before throwing in different jets again, check the plugs a few times and do a high speed throttle chop and check the plugs.

The colortune us only supposed to be used at idle.

[EricHa]

WMarshy was right about the 45 pilots. I put 145 mains and 45 pilots in last night and rode it without a sync or Colortune. The pilots made the bike run better, less labored feeling down low. Then I Colortuned them to just barely lose all hint of yellow in the flame and test rode it again, and the hint of hesitation/laboring returned. Seems like I need to go back to a slightly rich condition on the idle screws to get that tune back. I had read that these like to be a little fat down there, and that is what I saw. One more sync and Colortune and I'll be set for a while.



The 145 mains scream from 5000rpm on up, so they're staying for now. I also installed my 660 Raptor CCT while I was at it this week, and I did have to take a rat tail file to the tensioner mounting holes. Otherwise, installation was easy. The engine does seem to be just a little quieter/smoother, (could be in my head who knows!) but what a great and easy upgrade for the XS's.



The bike needs a lot of cosmetic work to be as nice as I'd like, but she's healthy and I'm ready for summer! Thanks to all for the help, and I'll float a few bucks to the site in appreciation.

Eric