Topic: Need help with adjusting jet needle.

[rabidelf]

Okay. I finished rebuilding the carbs on my 500 and after reassembly and running it a little it is running really rich. The idle mixture screws are 1 1/2 turns out from lightly seated. I think I need to adjust the needle. When I put in the new one I set it up just like the old one: the circlip is on the groove next to the bottom. Should I move it up one two or three notches? The bike has a 4 into one exhaust and currently no airfilter ( I am in the market for some pods). I just need a best guess for now since I only really have time for one shot at it today.

[78_SaltLick]

i have the same setup as you and i had to adjust my clip to the center position, it was just like yours, sure made a big difference when i changed it, it actually ran a little lean after that but i made adjustments with the air screws and it ran like a top. I had a cb550 4 into 1 exaust. It can be done without taking the carbs off if you want. If i remember right i put it up one notch, so there are 5 notches total i had it 3 notches up or 3 notches down (basically in the middle). I think you said yours is 2 notches up, take it up to 3.

[rabidelf]

Cool. I am going in the shop to try it.Thanks.

[TwoTired]

The jetting and mixture adjustments are throttle position sensitive.
You haven't identified at what throttle position you are running rich.

Further, the air filtration restriction effects mixture adjustment and jet selection.
How often do you wish to make adjustments?

[rabidelf]

Much improved! Gobs of power up through the 3 or 4 gears I could reach in the parking lot. This bike is early in its resurrection so I am only trying to get a baseline functionality. I have spent more on beer than I paid for it. Just recently rebuilt the carbs and petcock and Kreemed the tank. Still smells gassy so I imagine I should go one more notch on the needle since when I put on an air filter that would richen it more.

[DammitDan]

TT is right... unless you want to continue to change settings with your carbs, find out where it's truly rich or lean, not just where you think it is.  Carbs have several stages, and each one of them could be rich or lean.

And because you're not running with any kind of air filter, it's going to boost your air in the mixture considerably.  This will affect every jet, not just your needle setting.

[rabidelf]

So the consensus is don't mess with it until the air filters are in place? It really does seem to run pretty well right now (compared to where it was). Starts right up and almost idles. I can't really run it that much with the front tire as rotten as it is. Kinda like playing russian roulette.