Carb sync tips

[ACAL]

Any photos or videos on syncing a carb for 1980 xs1100? Getting ready to put the bike back together after adjusting valves and cleaning carb, anticipating a sync will be in store. Mainly wondering where to attach the hoses?

[Socer4m]

watch this,,,,youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hfeiF-3lsXw there are three screws to adjust on the front of the carbs,,lift tank up with a 2x4,,,hook up the synch hoses to each vacuum nipple on each carb, start bike and adjust outside two screws until both l, r, carb pairs are equal, then adjust center screw to balance both pairs,,,,,get the air vacuum gauges, ebay or wherever and you will use them probably annually to keep bike running strong......keep us informed,,,Mike in San Diego and Pa.

[DEEBS11]

This is the best tool for the job.

[DiverRay]

A photo of what I use. Old school, but works well as long as you check all 4 against each other before each use. Note that I use the plastic tank for fuel, so the tank is removed from the bike and I have easy access to the adjustment screws. The gauges are all connected to the vacuum pump in the photos, to verify the same readings each time I use them.

[cajun31]

I too use the carb tune. I like it because there are no fluids in the gauge to worry about and they are close enough to get the job done right. The best way to approach the job is to either have a tank like Ray shows or you can simply remove your tank and turn it around and rest it on a small board across the frame and on the fender with a good towel underneath it. That allows you the access you need to the adjustment screws on the carbs.

[Socer4m]

here is the one I use,,,good because no mercury, you can rev the helll out of the engine and easy to adjust to read the needles......https://www.ebay.com/itm/25704027214...3ABFBMrMin6rRm



and its down to thirty bucks or so......MIke in San DIego and Pa

[ACAL]

So I picked up a gauge. Now I apologize for this very amateur and crude description, but when I’m ready to test, do I hook up the hoses to the nipples on carb boots of 1,3, and 4? And then for the main cylinder, or cylinder 2, where it has a vacuum line going from carb boot to the octopus, do I plug straight into the carb? It has a nipple on the second carb that normally has a line going down to where the crank shaft is? Or the starter? I’m a little lost if you can’t tell haha.

[bikerphil]

Leave the hose going to the #2 carb body alone. Remove the vacuum hose on the #2 carb boot and hook that gauge there, You will need to set the fuel taps to the prime position for the sync. since there is no vacuum to open the fuel shutoff valve (octopus) now.

[Socer4m]

forgot,,,bikerphil corrected it,,,hook up the gauges to the carb boot vac ports, not the carb body,,,,and yes,,,switch the petcock to prime also,,,,then start bike and adjust using the gauges,,it should really make the engine sound smooth when done accurately and rev like a freaking gorilla on steroids,,,,,Mike in San Diego and Pa.

[cajun31]

This is a good tech tip on how to proceed. Synchronizing the Carburetors - XS11.club Forums. The video posted above was a bit confusing when I watched it and the way the tank was situated did not leave a lot of room for connecting hoses and allowing access to the adjustment screws. Better to follow the tech tip and turn the tank around. Sounds like this is your virgin journey on synching and it will take you a bit longer so give yourself plenty of room. As stated, you need to put the petcocks on prime or you will run out of gas when the bowls empty in the on position because the octy will shut the fuel flow off when the vacuum hose is disconnected. If your carbs are adjusted properly and you don't have a flooding issue then putting them on prime should not be a problem.

[DiverRay]

If your carbs are adjusted properly and you don't have a flooding issue then putting them on prime should not be a problem.

If the carbs DO leak gas when on prime, that MUST be fixed before synchronizing the carbs. The sync is the LAST step of carb work, and it's assumed everything else is in good working order, including valve clearance, before you do it.