Fired up for the first time, how to keep it running?

[IanDMacDonald]

Did u sync the carbs? Valves adjusted? Air/fuel adjusted? How do the plugs look?

[oakback]

No, no, no, brand new last I looked.

[IanDMacDonald]

Do you have a carb sync tool?

[oakback]

No, and I don't know anybody who has one.

Doesn't it need to idle to do that anyway?

[IanDMacDonald]

Did u bench-sync the carbs?

[oakback]

No, everything I've done to the bike so far is in this thread.

[IanDMacDonald]

There are a few tricks to bench-syncing. First is the old bread the method, the other is the half moon method of the throttle plate aligning with the air/fuel needle hole. Zip the method is to align each throttle plate so thwhen the plate is closed, iu just barely drags on the metal of the bread tie, thus all being equally synced. That is a bench sync (off the bike). You'd have to construct a manometer, or purchase a set to get the final sync. Some don't require gauges, and those guys are carb Gods! I however have bought all the gadgets, appreciate the Morgan Carbtune.

[oakback]

I just watched a video where I guy used 2 identical drill bits. One to prop under a butterfly, and the other to test the other 3 like a feeler gauge. Any thoughts on that method?

I'm starting to see why people want pod filters so bad (I know the cons, I'm not getting them). I feel like destroying this air box each time I have to install it.

Oh, and regarding the video, does the engine sound relatively normal?

[IanDMacDonald]

Once u learn the trick to installing it, it's a cinch. I can have my carbs and airbox off in maybe three minutes. Going back in, five. And, unless you're using #60 bits, nothing is much smaller than bread tie wire. Thing is, by the time ur done syncing the carbs, it won't even look like those plates can pass anything more than air past them. Equal vacuum being pulled across all four carbs.

[natemoen]

You don't want to prop one of the butterflies open. They all need to be relaxed and in a resting position.

[oakback]

Thanks for all the input so far.

I've been on lots of forums spanning many different topics and hobbies, and far too many are full of jerks, even if they are knowledgeable jerks. You guys have been very non-jerky, and I appreciate that.

[bikerphil]

and regarding the video, does the engine sound relatively normal?

No it doesn't, sounds like it's running on 2 cyl. Don't forget to check those pick up coil wires for internal breaks, very common problem with these machines.

[DiverRay]

Fire it up again, let it run for at least a minute or two, if it will, then check the heat on the four exhaust pipes. Let us know if you have any that are colder than the rest, and what pipe or pipes they are. The engine is numbered 1 to 4, from the Left as you sit on the bike.
I DOES sound as if it's running on two, not four. We now need to determine which two it's running on, as that will show wear to look for the problem. If it's running on 1&2, or 3&4, it's probably carbs. 1&4, 2&3 and it's electrical, and probably pickup coil wires.

[jetmechmarty]

Go back and heed the post BikerPhil made. The bike will run OK with the carburetors all messed up. If you aren't getting spark, it won't run. I agree with Phil. It sounds like one of the coils isn't firing.

If you do a good bench sync, you won't even know the vacuum sync needs to be done. That's if you do it right. It will still hit on all four if they're all getting any fuel at all. Fix the electrical. Get it sparking, then you can dial in the carburetors. Otherwise, you're just chasing your tail.

And what Ray said. Sorry, Ray.

[bikerphil]

Yes for sure spritz some water on the header pipes and see which aren't firing.