Thinking about re-tuning my carburetor... By DrRocco (Read 1,245 times)

[DrRocco]

So, when I got my scoot a month or so ago, I did the PDI and the first startup and carb tune when it was pretty chilly.  Once the weather warmed up and I got some better fuel in it, I re-adjusted the carb.  The scoot runs great, it really does.  I feel like it could run better though.  Even though I have no experience to draw from, my gut tells me I'm running awful rich.  When it's cold out(25-40), the scoot fires right up.  Any warmer, and I have to goose the throttle a bit to get it to fire and then stay on it for 10 or 15 seconds before feathering off and letting it warm up.  After that, it'll maintain a steady idle at about 2K.  It'll stay right there forever until I give it a hard rev and let off.  Then it'll drop to about 1.5K.  Both times I tuned the carb, I screwed around (get it?  screwed?) with the fuel mixture a lot.  Admittedly, no matter what I did with it, I couldn't tell a difference so I just left it where ever it was when I got tired of messing with it.  I followed the tuning steps in the PDI video from 90gtvert on YouTube.


Like I said, it runs strong.  Always starts.  I don't have any problems with it.  I just feel like it could be better.

My plan, born out of sheer ignorance, is to tear back in to it tomorrow, run the fuel mixture screw all the way in and the idle screw all the way out and go from there.  Start from zero and work up until it starts, then tune from there.

What say you?  Is this worth worrying about, or should I just leave well enough alone?


 

[jct842]

Don't fix what isn't broke. Instead let it break in. If the plug looks good its right. After break in you will see a big improvement. Then you could look into mods. john

[cyborg]

check the plug for a nice tan color if it's white it's lean,,and you should richen it up a bit so you dont hole the piston,,,if it's sooty too rich,,if its tan leave it,,finish the break in then go thru it,,,,

[Alleyoop]

Sage advice Cyborg.
Alleyoop

[Bashan]

Mar 31, 2014 20:08:52 GMT -6 DrRocco said:

Like I said, it runs strong.  Always starts.  I don't have any problems with it.  I just feel like it could be better.

OK, who lives near enough to Doc to go SMACK HIM THE HELL AROUND?! Doc, that's why this forum is here, so I can make a fortune off of Proboards.....I mean help people . People like you start messing around with a perfectly good scooter and then they're posting something about Celtic Women with Large Land Masses. THOSE are the members I make some coin off of! Hey, where have the UK Kitchen Cabinet guys been, and where the HELL IS MY ORDER!? Anyway, where's Rocco?! C'mere! Why I oughtta! John...hold him down....Cyborg...use that robotic arm. Oh good grief you poor excuse for a Wankle engine! Come here Rocco, The Great Stinky's wrath is upon you! Um, check the plug like Pete said....and listen to John....he's been up and down the pike....naked. The Great Stinky Alley, can you check on my order? Please? Don't hurt me. LA LA LOL

[kz1000st]

Mar 31, 2014 21:48:58 GMT -6 jct842 said:

Don't fix what isn't broke. Instead let it break in. If the plug looks good its right. After break in you will see a big improvement. Then you could look into mods. john

This is the best advice here. I have always believed the old dictum that Carburetor is French for "DON'T TOUCH".The only thing I have ever had to do is adjust the idle speed back as the engine loosened up and the idle speed rose. After that I leave them alone. Like Poison Ivy, you leave it alone it will leave you alone. Touch it and you'll get a burning rash.

The scoot runs great, it really does. I feel like it could run better though.

Also, welcome to the world of two wheels. This is called the early symptoms of "Need for Speed". All motorcyclists go through it. We start out on a nice little bike then the need creeps in. Then we get a bigger bike, and the need creeps in again. Soon you're on a giant V-Twin, a shrieking 1400cc sport bike or a Gold Wing style super tourer. Leave the thing alone, enjoy it for now, face the inevitable and slowly begin looking for the next big thing. You're-what?-34 years old. Either a Honda CBR 250, Ninja 300 or a Honda CB 500 will do you for the next stepping stone.

[twowheeler]

If anything tweek it from where its at. A quarter turn either left or right might raise the rpms.

[DrRocco]

Awesome. I'm glad I asked. I just knew that had I not asked, I'd be coming back here in a week, telling you guys about the spectacular mushroom cloud made when the scoot exploded and the first reply I'd get from one of you would be "Did you have your carb set right?"

I'll check the plug today and if all is well, carry on as is. Thanks guys!

[cyborg]

OG says check plug if tan RIDE,,,oh and check oil level

[jvino]

I agree run it for a while you are going threw the break in cycle on your scoot how many miles does it have now?

[DrRocco]

I just passed 200 Km on it. It's still running great. It seems to be monsoon season here in central IL so I haven't been able to ride in several days. The weather looks good today though, so I'm hoping to put some more miles on it today.

[kz1000st]

Knock 'em dead Doc. I've had the 150 out lately and it's running better than new. These engines break in at their own pace becoming stronger all the time. I haven't ever touched my carb and it works just fine six years later.

[jvino]

Keep an eye on the oil it might use a little during break in period. I would leave the ideal alone. Did you build that scooter from one of those places that send craights? If so how much stuff did you put together on it?

[DrRocco]

jvino, HERE'S a link to the thread I made putting it together. This should help answer your question. If not, let me know.

[cyborg]

monsoons HUH?,,,,too bad you didn't buy a morpheus,,,you could mount some oar locks on it and go for a nice row,,,,,sorry luke i couldn't help myself