I was wondering if adding the two #4 washers to my needles will make starting my bike easier. Basically, does a less lean engine start more easily?
If i understand this correctly i believe you would need to swap out the pilot jets in order to help with starting the bike if you have having problems. Shimming the needles with washers will help your mid range and top end from being lean.
That makes sense. Thanks, Bassmechanicsz.
Yes Bassmech is correct. Pilots has a huge effect on startup and idle, though lifting the needle also affects it.
You do needle only if you need to richen the midrange ... Like lean from 1/4 throttle on to 3/4 ... misfiring, acting like its out of gas, and surging.
You do pilot only to richen up the startup and the take off from a stop. Will act weird and need more rpm at take off, and would hover at idle.
You do both if you have both symptoms.
Cool.
Buddha.
you can also open the mix screws a little to help with start-up/warm-up/off-idle-response. plus its free and easy.