idle speed

[oldyam80sg]

My 80 SG idles around 800 rpms and I want to raise it a tad. It runs but just want it raised a hair. Where is that adjustment? 80 SG stock carbs.

[bikerphil]

Look under the carb rack between #2 and #3 towards the front. Turn the thumb wheel by hand (careful hot) or with a long flat head screwdriver clockwise to increase idle speed.

[DiverRay]

look between carb 2&3 with a mirror. IIRC, the '80 is below the carb center, and you get to it underneath the carbs. I know the '79 is ABOVE the carb center, and hidden behind all the fuel lines. The adjuster looks like a thumb screw, in that it's about the size of a nickel, and has serrations around the outside edge. I use a long, strait blade screwdriver to turn it. If it's above, turn clockwise to increase speed. If it's below, turn counter clockwise to increase speed.

[cajun31]

Hopefully you have figured it out. But just in case I will second that you need to turn the screw clockwise or to the right to increase and counterclockwise or to the left to decrease. If the adjustment screw is hard to turn spritz it with some wd 40. It is far enough in there to make it difficult to turn by hand with the engine hot. I always use a flat head screw drive to bump it up or down. You want to set it so the bike idles between 1000 and 1100 rpm. I believe the manual says 1100.

[oldyam80sg]

It is below the carbs. Will try again. 1 post says counterclockwise to increase, other post says clockwise to increase.

[Schming]

It is below the carbs. Will try again. 1 post says counterclockwise to increase, other post says clockwise to increase.

Thumbscrew is a common right hand thread, IN would be CW and OUT is CCW

Start the bike turn the screw and it'll let ya know

[oldyam80sg]

I started the bike, let it warm up, and turned the screw counterclockwise several times with a screwdriver. The idle speed increased too much so I had to turn it the other way. Took a few times to get it spot on, but finally got it. Now idles at around 1100 looking at tach. Weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow so might get to test ride it.

[Schming]

I started the bike, let it warm up, and turned the screw counterclockwise several times with a screwdriver. The idle speed increased too much so I had to turn it the other way. Took a few times to get it spot on, but finally got it. Now idles at around 1100 looking at tach. Weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow so might get to test ride it.

Sounds like your in good shape and at proper idle speed, unlike me, bike has a 1/4 inch of dust and needs inspected

Enjoy your ride safely !!!

[oldyam80sg]

Good thing about NJ is bikes don't get inspected. Ride safe always!

[cajun31]

I started the bike, let it warm up, and turned the screw counterclockwise several times with a screwdriver. The idle speed increased too much so I had to turn it the other way. Took a few times to get it spot on, but finally got it. Now idles at around 1100 looking at tach. Weather is supposed to be nice tomorrow so might get to test ride it.

If your idle increased by turning the screw counterclockwise then you have something else going on. Counterclockwise should decrease the idle. Clockwise increases it. Glad to hear that you got it squared away.

[oldyam80sg]

Turning the screw clockwise the bike did not want to idle at all. I turned it counter clockwise to increase the idle speed. The carbs are totally cleaned better than they ever have been. I can turn the throttle and no hesitation whatsoever.

[DiverRay]

cajun31, you are looking at the screw from the top, but the turn point is on the bottom! Think upside down and you will understand why it needs to turn "backwards" to work. Just take a bolt and nut in hand. With the bolt on top it turns one direction to loosen, but flip the bolt and put the nut on top and you need to turn the other way.

[cajun31]

cajun31, you are looking at the screw from the top, but the turn point is on the bottom! Think upside down and you will understand why it needs to turn "backwards" to work. Just take a bolt and nut in hand. With the bolt on top it turns one direction to loosen, but flip the bolt and put the nut on top and you need to turn the other way.

Ray, I don't care whether I hold the bolt upright or upside down the screw is still turning right or left. I have a bolt and nut in my hand as I type this. On the specials the idle screw is on the bottom... holding the bolt and nut with the nut on the top and the bolt on the bottom I still have to turn in clockwise to tighten it. Now when I point the nut down, as on a standard, I still have to turn the nut clockwise to tighten it, just like you have too if you want to increase the idle on a standard. I really don't get how turning it up or down changes that fact. By your explanation... and think about this .... whether the bolt is up or down.. what direction are you turning the bolt to loosen it? Yeah.... counterclockwise or to the left. One thing I am sure of is lefty loosey and rightey titghty. One of the first things my Dad taught me.

[DiverRay]

I know what you are saying, all I'm trying to do is show how, if the bolt is turned, and the nut is mounted solid, as in the idle control, if you are on TOP of the carbs, things go backwards. With the nut in a vise, and the bolt under the nut, from the side you need to turn counterclockwise to tighten it. It has taken me a few years to get the specials idle screw squared away in my head!

[bikerphil]

Now where do you guys get Specials and Standards are different from each other? It's the early carbs with the top mounted idle screw and the late style with the lower upside down type, no?