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Carb questions

225 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  rc4man
As mentioned in another thread this bike when brought to me for help wouldn't start, there was a smell of gas but would not run.
Things I've discovered, plugs black and wet, battery sitting on foam block covering openings to intake airbox, stock mufflers removed and replaced with HD Sportster items, exhaust valves adjusted too tight.
To remedy those things I've installed new plugs, removed the foam block which leaves the intake snorkel unrestricted, new owner has purchased a used set of stock take off exhaust for the EN500 (yet to arrive and install), valve clearances checked and adjusted per spec.
Last night I pulled the carbs, disassembled, inspected and cleaned them. Actually they were very clean inside, all passages clear.
Someone had removed the caps over the pilot air screw and the screws were adjusted to 2 1/2 turns out from seated. Per service manual they should be 2 1/8 turns out. Additionally I found a small flat washer under the flange on the main jet needle which would raise it slightly. There's no washer in the illustration of the carb breakdown that I could see.
Should I remove the washer and set the air screw per spec?
I would assume that more turns out on the air screw and raising the main jet needle richen the mixture?
Thanks
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It is not a precise adjustment.
It can be 2, 2 1/2, or whatever, as long as it idles smoothly.
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As mentioned in another thread this bike when brought to me for help wouldn't start, there was a smell of gas but would not run.
Things I've discovered, plugs black and wet, battery sitting on foam block covering openings to intake airbox, stock mufflers removed and replaced with HD Sportster items, exhaust valves adjusted too tight.
To remedy those things I've installed new plugs, removed the foam block which leaves the intake snorkel unrestricted, new owner has purchased a used set of stock take off exhaust for the EN500 (yet to arrive and install), valve clearances checked and adjusted per spec.
Last night I pulled the carbs, disassembled, inspected and cleaned them. Actually they were very clean inside, all passages clear.
Someone had removed the caps over the pilot air screw and the screws were adjusted to 2 1/2 turns out from seated. Per service manual they should be 2 1/8 turns out. Additionally I found a small flat washer under the flange on the main jet needle which would raise it slightly. There's no washer in the illustration of the carb breakdown that I could see.
Should I remove the washer and set the air screw per spec?
I would assume that more turns out on the air screw and raising the main jet needle richen the mixture?
Thanks
These are a little lean at the factory..2 and a half out will not cause runability problems in itself.
The needle being raised is not needed... especially on a used carb as the needle jet and jet needle are wear items which actually cause the mix to run richer at part throttle conditions

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Ok, just for verification, each main jet needle in the slide has two of these little washers under it, just want to verify they don't belong, they're not on the exploded drawing, before I go to the trouble of putting them back on only to need to pull them out to put them in if required. Vulcandoc, The rider, anyone?
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Leave em out...you already have your mix screws out a little which helps with that lean spot just at barely cracked throttle...and as said...the jet needle and needle jet are wear items and actually cause a richer running condition at part throttle.. especially the lower throttle conditions.
When you are finished you will have an engine that is a little cold natured during small throttle usage for the first couple minutes or so with the fuel enricher off ..will get about 50 mpg ..will be happy in fourth gear doing 30 mph through town

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Thanks, couldn't wait, left them out and bolted carbs in
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