Author Topic: Carb sync.......kill me now.  (Read 16153 times)

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Offline dylboss

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Carb sync.......kill me now.
« on: April 30, 2011, 06:26:41 PM »
Ok, so I've been battling a carb sync for about 4 hours today.  I did a valve adjustment, points adjustment, made sure the spark plugs were gapped correctly.  Everything checks outs, and carbs have already been cleaned.  Now, go to fire her up and she is running worse than before i started.  I just can't seem to get the carb sync right.  Seems like i'm going in circles.  Now it is all screwed up.  Is there a way to start from zero with a carb sync?  I'm getting backfires like crazy at idle, engine is clanking, and just can't seem to sync this blasted thing.

Anyone have some advice?

Thanks.
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- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
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Offline OldSchool_IsCool

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #1 on: April 30, 2011, 06:33:29 PM »
Bench sync, but you have to pull the carbs out.
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Offline fmctm1sw

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #2 on: April 30, 2011, 06:35:26 PM »
If you did any work on the carbs beforehand, make sure the linkage is all tightened.  Ask me how I know... 
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Offline vance

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #3 on: April 30, 2011, 07:02:33 PM »
First of all if you're getting frustrated take a break and come back to it later. Second of all, don't worry I guarantee you that these guys will help you figure it out.

You need to state the year and model bike and what modifications if any. Then exactly what you did in what order and how you did it. There's a mistake in there somewhere and the more specific you are the sooner the forum guys will figure it out for you.

Good luck!
1977 cb550k "Old Gray Baby"

Offline benjamin550

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #4 on: April 30, 2011, 07:38:17 PM »
I was in you position about a week ago and created a post on the topic. DYSKORD responded with some advice that really saved my ass and made the whole job a lot easier. Here is the link, read the whole post and follow his instructions perfectly and you should be good to go.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=87117.0

Offline dave500

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #5 on: April 30, 2011, 08:11:32 PM »
you are vacuum syncing?

Offline xedge4lifex

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #6 on: April 30, 2011, 09:19:25 PM »
Bench sync, but you have to pull the carbs out.

ive been running my carbs on a bench sync for over 5k and 8 months. all its really going to help with is a solid idle, and return to idle. i wouldnt touch vacuum sync gauges unless you have some serious carbs going on the bike or a billy bad ass engine that needs to run perfect.
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Offline dave500

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #7 on: April 30, 2011, 09:58:05 PM »
bench sync gets the motor running,then you need to vacuum sync them,full stop,you are balancing the vacuum between the carbs more than equal throttle positions.

Offline DYSKORD

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #8 on: May 01, 2011, 12:50:58 AM »
Ok, so I've been battling a carb sync for about 4 hours today.  I did a valve adjustment, points adjustment, made sure the spark plugs were gapped correctly.  Everything checks outs, and carbs have already been cleaned.  Now, go to fire her up and she is running worse than before i started.  I just can't seem to get the carb sync right.  Seems like i'm going in circles.  Now it is all screwed up.  Is there a way to start from zero with a carb sync?  I'm getting backfires like crazy at idle, engine is clanking, and just can't seem to sync this blasted thing.

Anyone have some advice?

Thanks.
Yeah you can start from "zero." Just follow the link Benjamin550 posted. If you follow those instructions you should be golden. Just remember to have all other adjustments (valves, cam chain etc.) done prior and follow the sequence outlined in the posted link. If you dont follow the sequence it is most likely you will chase yourself in circles until you run out of adjustment, like myself and Benjamin550. Good luck and dont hesitate to ask any questions.
DYSKORD

Offline dylboss

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #9 on: May 01, 2011, 06:55:55 PM »
Guys, thanks a lot for all the advice.   I will follow the instructions from Benji and post an update.
Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
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Offline dylboss

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #10 on: May 02, 2011, 05:07:00 PM »
Well, thanks to those that offered advice.  I did the valves, timing, points gap, cam chain adjust, air mixture screw adjust, then the carb sync (vacuum).  I have to admit, it didn't quite go as smoothly as Dyskord describes, but nevertheless I think I got it finally, and thanks Dyskord for the help.  It gave me somewhere to start.  Kept wrestling with no more idle to play with because it was screwed all the way in, and when I adjusted the sync screws the bike wanted to stall.  Back and forth, back and forth, but in any case carbs appear to be synced, and she is running a steady idle.  Still seems to be slow to settle down to idle (about 4-5 seconds) if I rev it up into the 2500-3000 RPM range.  If I stay under 2k, she comes right down to idle.

Also, I'm trying to make sure I have the right expectations about how this motor should sound.  Are these generally noisy engines?  Seems like even with the carb sync, I didn't lose the clutch noise.  Clutch is very rattly.  Pull it in and it goes away.  Are the clutches on the CBs generally loud?
Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
- 1998 Suzuki TL1000R
- 1993 Yamaha FZR 600

Offline Duke McDukiedook

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #11 on: May 02, 2011, 11:58:50 PM »
Shouldn't be if it (The clutch) is adjusted properly.

Sounds like you have your carbs kinda balanced but it sounds like one or two has more vacuum if it wants to hang.

You might want to start from scratch, pull the carbs, clean thoroughly again (with compressed air in all orifices),  bench synch then synch with manometer according to the manual.
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Offline DYSKORD

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #12 on: May 03, 2011, 01:01:12 AM »
Well, thanks to those that offered advice.  I did the valves, timing, points gap, cam chain adjust, air mixture screw adjust, then the carb sync (vacuum).  I have to admit, it didn't quite go as smoothly as Dyskord describes, but nevertheless I think I got it finally, and thanks Dyskord for the help.  It gave me somewhere to start.  Kept wrestling with no more idle to play with because it was screwed all the way in, and when I adjusted the sync screws the bike wanted to stall.  Back and forth, back and forth, but in any case carbs appear to be synced, and she is running a steady idle.  Still seems to be slow to settle down to idle (about 4-5 seconds) if I rev it up into the 2500-3000 RPM range.  If I stay under 2k, she comes right down to idle.

Also, I'm trying to make sure I have the right expectations about how this motor should sound.  Are these generally noisy engines?  Seems like even with the carb sync, I didn't lose the clutch noise.  Clutch is very rattly.  Pull it in and it goes away.  Are the clutches on the CBs generally loud?
The clutches are notoriously loud!
« Last Edit: May 03, 2011, 01:10:48 AM by DYSKORD »

Offline dylboss

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #13 on: May 03, 2011, 08:02:15 AM »
Shouldn't be if it (The clutch) is adjusted properly.

Sounds like you have your carbs kinda balanced but it sounds like one or two has more vacuum if it wants to hang.

You might want to start from scratch, pull the carbs, clean thoroughly again (with compressed air in all orifices),  bench synch then synch with manometer according to the manual.

According to the gauges, they are all spot on with each other at idle and also when I bring the RPMs up to about 3k.  Gauges were also calibrated prior to sync.
Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
- 1998 Suzuki TL1000R
- 1993 Yamaha FZR 600

Offline Duanob

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #14 on: May 03, 2011, 08:19:31 AM »
I had the same problem. Did you use the inline valves when doing the sync? If not, when you install the guages you're introducing air into the carb system and leaning the settings out. Use the valves, close them off and slowly open them after you start the bike until you start to see the gauge respond.
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Offline flybox1

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #15 on: May 03, 2011, 08:25:47 AM »
if your rpms hang with a blip of the throttle, check your carb to engine boots for a vac leak.  make sure all your clamps are in their grooves and tightened properly.
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Offline dylboss

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #16 on: May 03, 2011, 09:22:14 AM »
I had the same problem. Did you use the inline valves when doing the sync? If not, when you install the guages you're introducing air into the carb system and leaning the settings out. Use the valves, close them off and slowly open them after you start the bike until you start to see the gauge respond.

I am using the inline valves, but I didn't close them before starting the bike.  I guess I'm confused as to how that would make a difference.
Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
- 1998 Suzuki TL1000R
- 1993 Yamaha FZR 600

Offline DanielB

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #17 on: May 03, 2011, 09:51:09 AM »
sub'd for later. :)
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Offline dylboss

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #18 on: May 03, 2011, 06:26:53 PM »
Well, I removed the carb sync tubes from the intake holes, and replaced the screws.  Everything seems to run great now.  Idles smooth, no hang up on the RPMs when reving to 3k.  Can't complain at this point after 2 weeks of wrestling with engine tuning. 

Definitely difficult to start and remain at idle when cold, but I'm guessing that is normal?  When warm, the bike runs like a top.  Haven't ridden it yet, so I guess that will be the tell tale.
Current

- 1972 CB750 K2 - Brier Brown Metallic
- 1973 CB750 K3 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1974 CB750 K4 - Flake Sunrise Orange
- 1976 CB750 K6 - Candy Antares Red

Previous
- 1978 Honda CB550K
- 1972 Honda CL350 Scrambler
- 1972 Honda CB450
- 1998 Suzuki TL1000R
- 1993 Yamaha FZR 600

Offline dave500

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #19 on: May 04, 2011, 01:42:48 AM »
straight up cold it wont idle like a fuel injected engine,i use the throttle lock screw to hold a smooth idle as i gear up,many people have never had a car without fuel injection so are less learned in the art of the cold start procedure and limitations of a carby engine,,your bike wont idle straight from cold very well,i live in a climate like your florida or new orleans.
« Last Edit: May 04, 2011, 01:44:42 AM by dave500 »

Offline Duanob

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Re: Carb sync.......kill me now.
« Reply #20 on: May 04, 2011, 11:54:23 AM »
I had the same problem. Did you use the inline valves when doing the sync? If not, when you install the guages you're introducing air into the carb system and leaning the settings out. Use the valves, close them off and slowly open them after you start the bike until you start to see the gauge respond.

I am using the inline valves, but I didn't close them before starting the bike.  I guess I'm confused as to how that would make a difference.

I think you answered your own question. With the gauges attached, your carbs act like vacuum leaking into the system. They won't run or idle correctly with too much vacuum. Closing the valve is like getting rid of the vacuum leak. Only open the valve enough to get a reading. trust me I only know through my own experiences.
"Just because you flush a boatload of money down the toilet, doesn't make the toilet worth more",  My Stepfather the Unknown Poet

1974 CB360T
1976 CB550K2 Resurrected
1976 CB550F2 Barn Find
1979 CX500 VG "HONDA-GUZZI"
2007 Moto Guzzi Breva 750ie
2015 BMW F700GS
Another 1976 CB550K Cafe?

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