Making easily adjustable pilot screws.

[Suzuki Stevo]

I did that...ended up at 3 where I started, like everyone else here.

I just don't believe that Steve. Carbs are tuned for the location. They will perform different depending on altitude and a number of different conditions. I've rarely had a multi carb set-up where the carb fuel adjustment was the same between carbs let alone the same between bikes.

Add to that any mods on the bike and what you are saying is just not possible.

This is a bug of mine. This static setting recommendation is all over the web and it is just plain wrong. Other's on the web that don't understand take this information as correct...it's not.

I have had multiple carbs since 1972, I tried your correct way, I tried the 25 Rpm lean drop, I even used a vacuum gauge and tried using the highest vacuum to set the mixture screw, but in the end and 25+ bikes down the road I set the mixture screws the way I do because it works....works for me anyway 

[dennisgb]

Good for you...it's still not the right way to do it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zm5mB3R8Ucw

[Krav]

Once the EPA Plug is gone (carbs have to be off for that anyway) you set the screws to 3 turns out and forget about them.

You are trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

One of those short tips for a muti tip screwdriver is all you need if you want to adjust the Idle Mixture with the carbs on the bike

That is not the correct way to adjust pilot screws. Each carb must be adjusted independently when the engine is hot (running). Screw is adjusted to get the highest idle speed on each carb and then proper idle RPM is adjusted by the idle mechanical stop screw. Fixed setting reference (3 turns) is for getting engine running after carb rebuild or cleaning. Those that cite fixed screw position on the web are wrong. Sorry.

I did that...ended up at 3 where I started, like everyone else here.

EDIT: But I use a manometer when syncing, not a drill bit 

Oh please.

Once i fitted my podfilters, 3 turns wouldnt run anywhere near good.

Chosing a static setup for a component that deals with LOTS of variables (surrounding air and atmosphere + mods).
please remind me to never have you tune my bike.

I don't want to be rude, but the things you say........ people may think that you say the truth, and i (along with others so it seems) CANNOT agree with the things you are saying.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Oh please.

Once i fitted my podfilters, 3 turns wouldnt run anywhere near good.

Chosing a static setup for a component that deals with LOTS of variables (surrounding air and atmosphere + mods).
please remind me to never have you tune my bike.

I don't want to be rude, but the things you say........ people may think that you say the truth, and i (along with others so it seems) CANNOT agree with the things you are saying.

You got me...I'm just making this stuff up as I go 

[dennisgb]

Once the EPA Plug is gone (carbs have to be off for that anyway) you set the screws to 3 turns out and forget about them.

You are trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

One of those short tips for a muti tip screwdriver is all you need if you want to adjust the Idle Mixture with the carbs on the bike

Your point in this post was that you can set them at 3 turns out and forget about them.

That is not the proper way to adjust the pilot circuit. Like you said it works for you, and you also likely have no idea if you are running rich or lean at idle...just because you get reasonable throttle response does not mean your carbs are adjusted properly. To make a blanket statement to everyone who might want to adjust their carbs that is wrong is not of benefit to the forum.

This is a direct quote from the Mikuni tuning manual:

"Selection of the opening of the air screw should be made in the following manner. First, warm up the engine adequately and set the throttle stop screw so that the engine revolution at idling will be about 10-20% higher than the number of revolutions you are aiming at. Then, turn the air screw left or right and select the position where the engine revolution reaches maximum. Adjust the throttle stop screw to bring down the engine revolution to your target speed for idling."

Who do you want to believe? It is not me arguing with you...it is fact that this is how to properly adjust the pilot circuit. Why do you think the OP was asking how to make this adjustment easier?

[Suzuki Stevo]

Once the EPA Plug is gone (carbs have to be off for that anyway) you set the screws to 3 turns out and forget about them.

You are trying to create a solution for a problem that doesn't exist.

One of those short tips for a muti tip screwdriver is all you need if you want to adjust the Idle Mixture with the carbs on the bike

Your point in this post was that you can set them at 3 turns out and forget about them.

That is not the proper way to adjust the pilot circuit. Like you said it works for you, and you also likely have no idea if you are running rich or lean at idle...just because you get reasonable throttle response does not mean your carbs are adjusted properly. To make a blanket statement to everyone who might want to adjust their carbs that is wrong is not of benefit to the forum.

This is a direct quote from the Mikuni tuning manual:

"Selection of the opening of the air screw should be made in the following manner. First, warm up the engine adeqquately and set the throttle stop screw so that the engine revolution at idling will be about 10-20% higher than the number of revolutions you are aiming at. Then, turn the air screw left or right and select the position where the engine revolution reaches maximum. Adjust the throttle stop screw to bring down the engine revolution to your target speed for idling."

Who do you want to believe? It is not me arguing with you...it is fact that this is how to properly adjust the pilot circuit. Why do you think the OP was asking how to make this adjustment easier?

A wise man knows when to put the book down and when to pay attention to it....

[dennisgb]

A wise man knows when to put the book down and when to pay attention to it....

A wiser man knows when to admit he is wrong.

So you are smarter than the manufacturer 

Those reading this please follow the proper procedure and do not listen to the "Wise Man".

[Suzuki Stevo]

A wise man knows when to put the book down and when to pay attention to it....

A wiser man knows when to admit he is wrong.

So you are smarter than the manufacturer 

Those reading this please follow the proper procedure and do not listen to the "Wise Man".

You seem to be preoccupied with the assumption there is only one way to do something and somebody has to be right and somebody has to be wrong 

[dennisgb]

You seem to be preoccupied with the assumption there is only one way to do something and somebody has to be right and somebody has to be wrong 

The Mikuni manual is clear. That is the "right" way to adjust the pilot circuit.

You seem to be preoccupied with arguing until the death...because you are incapable of accepting that you are wrong.

Stick an O2 sensor up your pipe and measure the mixture ratio at idle and report back.

I do that with every bike I tune and I've never had multiple bikes set at 3 turns out...ever.

In fact once you get to three turns it is recommended that you change your pilot jet(s).

But someone with as much experience and knowledge as you should know that. 

[gsJack]

"Selection of the opening of the air screw should be made in the following manner. First, warm up the engine adeqquately and set the throttle stop screw so that the engine revolution at idling will be about 10-20% higher than the number of revolutions you are aiming at. Then, turn the air screw left or right and select the position where the engine revolution reaches maximum. Adjust the throttle stop screw to bring down the engine revolution to your target speed for idling."

That's the way I learned to do it 67 years ago when I went to work in a garage on cars at age 15.  But times have changed.  I've never seen the need to adjust the idle mix on the 6 motorcycles I rode 400k+ miles over the last 30 years.  Don't even know what the idle mix screws look like on a bike, they're hidden behind plugs.   Those reading this please follow the proper procedure and leave those plugs where they belong. 

"Don't mess with your carbs and they won't mess with you."   

[dennisgb]

Back to the original question.

Krav,

I did a little searching and I think there are "Big Head" pilot screws that will work for the GS500.

This one is recommended for Mikuni carbs...

Factory Pro "Long Boy" 5020m

Another approach would be to modify your existing pilot screws like this:

[dennisgb]

That's the way I learned to do it 67 years ago when I went to work in a garage on cars at age 15.  But times have changed.  I've never seen the need to adjust the idle mix on the 6 motorcycles I rode 400k+ miles over the last 30 years.  Don't even know what the idle mix screws look like on a bike, they're hidden behind plugs.   Those reading this please follow the proper procedure and leave those plugs where they belong. 

"Don't mess with your carbs and they won't mess with you."

The problem is when the carbs get dirty and you need to clean the pilot jet, which is the first thing to plug up...you need to take the screw and the jet out to clean it/them.

Also if you re-jet your carb(s).

It is necessary to adjust them. You've been lucky...

[gsJack]

Ya, must all be just luck. 

[Elmojo]

I love it when children argue with their elders... but of course that has nothing to do with what's happening here....

Regardless, I have those Factory Pro screws (or something nearly identical) on my GS.
I haven't gotten to the point where I need to see if they work (tank is still off), but they do look like they'll make the adjustment easier, if needed.
At the moment, they are set a +3 turns out, as suggested by nearly every highly experienced GS tuner on this board, and every other place I've found online.

[dennisgb]

Ya, must all be just luck. 

Jack,

Where are you at? Here in the Midwest of the USA the fuel quality is so bad due to ethanol content that it can and does plug up the fuel circuits in the carbs. It's a pretty common problem where I am because the bikes sit for 6 months out of the year (Minnesota). I run my carbs out and stabilize my fuel so have less of a problem but it is pretty common. On some of my bikes I only run premium without ethanol, but it's hard to find.

Ethanol creates organic growth in the fuel if it sits...in carbs it gums them up and makes a mess. Pilot jets are tiny and are the first to plug up.

Dennis

[dennisgb]

I love it when children argue with their elders... but of course that has nothing to do with what's happening here....

Regardless, I have those Factory Pro screws (or something nearly identical) on my GS.
I haven't gotten to the point where I need to see if they work (tank is still off), but they do look like they'll make the adjustment easier, if needed.
At the moment, they are set a +3 turns out, as suggested by nearly every highly experienced GS tuner on this board, and every other place I've found online.

Well I guess there are a bunch of people who just want to argue...and don't care what the manufacturer's say.

My question is why did you put "Factory Pro" adjustable screws on if you intend to run them at a static setting you read on line?

That makes absolutely no sense.

There isn't a competent tuner in the world that wouldn't tell you 3+ turns means you need to resize your jets...you are getting to the end of the travel and the spring will not have enough tension to hold the screw in the carb...good luck with that.

Amazing bunch of hogwash on this forum tonight.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Well I guess there are a bunch of people who just want to argue...and don't care what the manufacturer's say.

My question is why did you put "Factory Pro" adjustable screws on if you intend to run them at a static setting you read on line?

That makes absolutely no sense.

There isn't a competent tuner in the world that wouldn't tell you 3+ turns means you need to resize your jets...you are getting to the end of the travel and the spring will not have enough tension to hold the screw in the carb...good luck with that.

Amazing bunch of hogwash on this forum tonight.

So anybody that disagrees with you is arguing? 

[dennisgb]

Your not disagreeing with me.

Those of you preaching this screwed up static method are disagreeing with the manufacturer's recommended methods and anyone who actually knows how to tune carburetors.

That is an argument that you are continuing trying to prove you are right.

Your not. Go to the Mikuni website and read the tech data.

http://www.mikuni.com/

http://www.mikuni.com/pdf/vmmanual.pdf

http://www.motorcyclecarbs.com/carbs101.pdf

Flapping your gums without any substantiation for your claims is arguing for the sake of argument.

You can't admit you are wrong and continue to claim you are right.

You have shown nothing but so and so said this so it's right, or this is how I do it so it's right.

The GS guys said this is how you do it.

It's not right.

[dennisgb]

Suzuki Stevo you sir are now on my ignore list.

[Suzuki Stevo]

Your not disagreeing with me.

Those of you preaching this screwed up static method are disagreeing with the manufacturer's recommended methods and anyone who actually knows how to tune carburetors.

That is an argument that you are continuing trying to prove you are right.

Your not. Go to the Mikuni website and read the tech data.

http://www.mikuni.com/

Go to a decent tuning website and actually read the information:

http://www.dansmc.com/carbs2.htm

Flapping your gums without any substantiation for your claims is arguing for the sake of argument.

You can't admit you are wrong and continue to claim you are right.

You have shown nothing but so and so said this so it's right, or this is how I do it so it's right.

The GS guys said this is how you do it.

It's not right.

Dude...my house has been paid for for 15 years, a big chunk of what paid for it is from spinning wrenches at a professional and hobby level, I don't care what the book says, you are so phuking hung up on proving yourself right....do me a favor, get over yourself.  You basically are just saying "I'm Right, I'm Right, I'm Right, the book says so...your wrong!". I have made allot of money doing it wrong for years