Topic: Carbtune issues

[IAmCitizenMe]

Those screw you are removing to fit the sync tool, are they simply plugs, or have they got a tapered point & a spring on em?

They are just flat screws. No springs.

[IAmCitizenMe]

I don't mean to be a total dick but your problem is obvious to me.

I used the ratchet strap to get them on tighter. And I stopped the backfiring through the carb.

[MRieck]

I don't mean to be a total dick but your problem is obvious to me.

I used the ratchet strap to get them on tighter. And I stopped the backfiring through the carb.

Get new insulators. I'm done.

[scottly]

Have you tried testing for leaks by spraying WD40 around the insulators with the motor running?

[IAmCitizenMe]

I don't mean to be a total dick but your problem is obvious to me.

I used the ratchet strap to get them on tighter. And I stopped the backfiring through the carb.

Get new insulators.

Look dude. This is my first motorcycle. I've never worked on one before. I'm looking for help. So if you want to help, awesome. But you have to give me more that just "Get new insulators" like it is some stupid oversight on my part. I stopped the backfiring through the carb, so why would I get new insulators? They're tight and from what I can tell, there is no leak. I may be wrong. I'm still learning.

[IAmCitizenMe]

Have you tried testing for leaks by spraying WD40 around the insulators with the motor running?

I tried that. Nothing happened. What is supposed to happen? I remember reading about it a while ago, but don't remember.

[scottly]

It will change how the motor idles as the oil and propellant gets sucked in....

[IAmCitizenMe]

It will change how the motor idles as the oil and propellant gets sucked in....

Yea, nothing happened. Should I spray a lot and wait? Spray a little? One at a time? All four? I'll try voodoo.

[MRieck]

I don't mean to be a total dick but your problem is obvious to me.

I used the ratchet strap to get them on tighter. And I stopped the backfiring through the carb.

Get new insulators.

Look dude. This is my first motorcycle. I've never worked on one before. I'm looking for help. So if you want to help, awesome. But you have to give me more that just "Get new insulators" like it is some stupid oversight on my part. I stopped the backfiring through the carb, so why would I get new insulators? They're tight and from what I can tell, there is no leak. I may be wrong. I'm still learning.

It is an oversight on your part. I didn't call you stupid....I'm telling you what to do to solve your problem. It seems to me you are more interested in BS'ing around the problem hoping for some type of answer that suits you. Learning involves listening to others that have experience.....you dig? Spend the short money and get on with it.

[scottly]

If it passes the WD40 test, I'm guessing the motor is running so poorly that the throttles have to be open a fair amount just to run, and that's why you don't get any vacuum reading. Post a picture of your spark plugs...

[ekpent]

Somebody help this guy out and take a pic of your good fit insulators so as to compare.

[IAmCitizenMe]

If it passes the WD40 test, I'm guessing the motor is running so poorly that the throttles have to be open a fair amount just to run, and that's why you don't get any vacuum reading. Post a picture of your spark plugs...

It idles like a beauty.

I just checked them and they look like this. (The picture is old, but they still look just like this)

[IAmCitizenMe]

Somebody help this guy out and take a pic of your good fit so as to compare.

A great suggestion.

[ekpent]

Those plugs do not look so good. Look dark and sooty

[scottly]

Those plugs are fouled: you are, or were, running WAY rich. Not a problem with leaky boots, which would be lean.

[domer]

 he did mention backfire from exhaust... kinda expected the plugs to be rich but why no vacuum? could still be manifold o-rings. amongst a few other things.

[scottly]

I'm going out on a limb here, since you haven't given the initial data: you have a stock air box, with a paper air filter of unknown age. Put in new plugs, remove the filter element, and see how the bike runs....

[scottly]

he did mention backfire from exhaust... kinda expected the plugs to be rich but why no vacuum? could still be manifold o-rings. amongst a few other things.

If it passes the WD40 test, I'm guessing the motor is running so poorly that the throttles have to be open a fair amount just to run, and that's why you don't get any vacuum reading. Post a picture of your spark plugs...

[IAmCitizenMe]

Tomorrow is going to be a bit of a rainy day. I have a job interview in the morning, but after that I am going to spend the entire rest of the day going very slowly, step by step, and carefully and patiently re-tune everything I have done.

I'm going out on a limb here, since you haven't given the initial data: you have a stock air box, with a paper air filter of unknown age. Put in new plugs, remove the filter element, and see how the bike runs....

Yes, sorry. I have stock airbox and a fairly new air filter. Tomorrow will also include some new plugs. I'll also bring my camera (for real this time).

[Popwood]

This seems like one of those situations where something really basic isn't right and the deeper the "problem" gets discussed the more complex the possible solutions become.

As someone who has only been "wrenching" a couple years I had this happen more than once. I keep looking for a more complicated fix to a simple problem, usually overlooked due to lack of understanding coupled with anxiety and frustration.

I have a Carbtune and have found it reasonably easy to use and reliable. I haven't used it more than a couple times and it's been over a year. But let me ask, because I can't remember. Don't you hang it one way for some kind of bikes and the other (upside down so to speak) for other kinds of bikes? Or maybe it's a course, vs. fine adjustment? My son has an older BMW air head and I seem to recall you use the device in the opposite position for his ride vs. my 550 and 750. At the moment, the rig is at his place so I can't check it out. But I believe you can attach the hanger strap from either end.

Are you sure you have it rigged correctly?

[IAmCitizenMe]

I keep looking for a more complicated fix to a simple problem, usually overlooked due to lack of understanding coupled with anxiety and frustration.

You hit the nail on the head.

I have a Carbtune and have found it reasonably easy to use and reliable. I haven't used it more than a couple times and it's been over a year. But let me ask, because I can't remember. Don't you hang it one way for some kind of bikes and the other (upside down so to speak) for other kinds of bikes? Or maybe it's a course, vs. fine adjustment? My son has an older BMW air head and I seem to recall you use the device in the opposite position for his ride vs. my 550 and 750. At the moment, the rig is at his place so I can't check it out. But I believe you can attach the hanger strap from either end.

Are you sure you have it rigged correctly?

The instructions say that the Carbtune should be hung upside down for BMW R series bikes and two-strokes. The Carbtune is most definitely attached properly.

[scottly]

The other thing I will go out on a limb on, since the filter is fairly new, is I might suspect your timing is retarded: I have seen cases where the idle had to be way opened up just to keep the motor running....

[Johnie]

And the Morgan restrictors are on the proper side of the hose closest to the sync port.

[IAmCitizenMe]

Yup.

[Popwood]

My 550K is a '75 so may be different from yours. That said, I think you may be using the wrong location to connect your sync hoses, really! Check out the carb intake port into the cylinder heads, close to the boot. Do you see a Phillips head screw in each intake? That's where mine are located and I checked my Haynes manual to confirm.