Pilot Screw Adjustment

[dan7uk]

Went on a 3 day 1000 mile trip this pass weekend and I check the gas milage at each fill up.  Every time I checked it I was only getting 26 MPG, not happy.  Drove on mainly two lane roads and no over twisting the throttle.
No vacuum leaks, no gas leaks, carbs are sync, been desmog, air pressure both tires 41#, one up, no dragging brake rotors.  No visible signs of trouble.

Only thing I haven't checked is the pilot screw adjustment.  I didn't pull the plugs out but with the gas milage I am getting I'm sure they are showing signs of  burning too rich.  My question is what is the easiest way to get to the adjustment screw on the pilots, looks like removing the manifolds would give a direct shot at the screws with the D tool.  

[Jims99]

Best mileage I’ve ever gotten was 32 mpg. Thats running back roads at around 50-60mph in flat Fl. on non ethanol gas. I have two valks and a wing, average 28 on the valks and 32 on the wing. Running highway at 80-85 I dropped to 22mpg. These bikes aren’t known for gas mileage they were designed to put a smile on your face.  and make everyone else envious.
Make sure air cleaner is good and don’t forget to drain the tube that comes off the air filter case. The only other thing I can think of is using a color tune to adjust mixture screws. Sounds like you’ve done pretty much everything else. Only other thing I’ve heard is using only Honda jets if needed changed. Aftermarket jets aren’t quite up to Hondas standards.

[Hook#3287]

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiGpszBzbyPAxXoUn8AHYUZMF0YABAJGgJvYQ&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhqbMwc28jwMV6FJ_AB2FGTBdEAQYAiABEgLQrPD_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_1hezmyG2RueyDQiy8L8zM6T_4NXA&ctype=5&ved=2ahUKEwisycXBzbyPAxU6LtAFHQI_IgUQwg8oAHoECBgQCw&adurl=

I bought one of these but have yet to use it, so can't say it works correctly. Can't see why it wouldn't.

That or someone with very small hands    

[Pluggy]

Dan, to get started, examine those plugs.  Remove one at a time, take a photo, and stick it back in.  The smooth Valkyrie engine can hide a problem that may affect only one or two of the carbs.  The bike may only need some basic adjustment.  Not time to take it all apart, yet.

Did the bike ever give you milage in the 30's?  If not, a previous owner may have all carbs out of adjustment.  To determine if someone changed the jets, and not in a good way, it requires taking things apart.

An all-stock, no mods Valkyrie (mine), gets mid 30's MPG with "town and country" riding.

[0leman]

You do have a problem.  I ride mostly two lane back country (farm to market) type roads.  Mostly keeping RPMs less than 3K.  Also live/ride at 4000 feet elevation.  I regularly get 37 mpg with a Valk that has 140K plus on the clock.

[HayHauler]

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiGpszBzbyPAxXoUn8AHYUZMF0YABAJGgJvYQ&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhqbMwc28jwMV6FJ_AB2FGTBdEAQYAiABEgLQrPD_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_1hezmyG2RueyDQiy8L8zM6T_4NXA&ctype=5&ved=2ahUKEwisycXBzbyPAxU6LtAFHQI_IgUQwg8oAHoECBgQCw&adurl=

I bought one of these but have yet to use it, so can't say it works correctly. Can't see why it wouldn't.

That or someone with very small hands    

I have that tool and with the D bit in it, it actually works pretty good.  I lubed the gear on the 90 degree joint and that helped with the adjustments.

Hay 
Jimmyt

[Pluggy]

You may want to double check that the enricher "choke" is fully off when you want it to be off.

[dan7uk]

You may want to double check that the enricher "choke" is fully off when you want it to be off.

Good idea

[dan7uk]

https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=L&ai=DChcSEwiGpszBzbyPAxXoUn8AHYUZMF0YABAJGgJvYQ&co=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIhqbMwc28jwMV6FJ_AB2FGTBdEAQYAiABEgLQrPD_BwE&cce=1&sig=AOD64_1hezmyG2RueyDQiy8L8zM6T_4NXA&ctype=5&ved=2ahUKEwisycXBzbyPAxU6LtAFHQI_IgUQwg8oAHoECBgQCw&adurl=

I bought one of these but have yet to use it, so can't say it works correctly. Can't see why it wouldn't.

That or someone with very small hands    

I have that tool and with the D bit in it, it actually works pretty good.  I lubed the gear on the 90 degree joint and that helped with the adjustments.

Hay 
Jimmyt
[/quote

Ordered that tool, looks promising.  Beats taking manifolds off.
How many turns out on pilot screw once it's lightly seated?   

[WintrSol]

You may want to double check that the enricher "choke" is fully off when you want it to be off.

+1 Note that there is a slide pulled by the 'choke' lever on the left bank, connected by cable to a similar one on the right bank. Both need to be lubed, then adjusted so the little enrichment valves are pulled the same, and don't stick away from the seats. Mine needed both.

[Pluggy]

Dan, look at the Honda Service Manual Page 17-8.  If you have access to a timing light, it is easy to check the ignition timing.  If that is not correct, fuel economy can be bad.

[dan7uk]

Dan, look at the Honda Service Manual Page 17-8.  If you have access to a timing light, it is easy to check the ignition timing.  If that is not correct, fuel economy can be bad.

Will do, thanks

[Joe333x]

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0229

That is the absolute best tool for adjusting the pilots. It's the only one that fits, you don't need to take anything off. If you want to get them set perfect, also buy a colortune plug.

[Mooskee]

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0229

That is the absolute best tool for adjusting the pilots. It's the only one that fits, you don't need to take anything off. If you want to get them set perfect, also buy a colortune plug.

+1 on that. I'm sure the Honda one would work too if you can find and afford it!

I also have a pit posse one that will not fit without removing stuff. That defeats the purpose.

As you noted, you can pull an intake, and use a D tool.

I use the Gunson Colortune along with my senses such as smell, and temperature,  and adjust with the engine running.

[Joe333x]

https://www.motionpro.com/product/08-0229

That is the absolute best tool for adjusting the pilots. It's the only one that fits, you don't need to take anything off. If you want to get them set perfect, also buy a colortune plug.

+1 on that. I'm sure the Honda one would work too if you can find and afford it!

I also have a pit posse one that will not fit without removing stuff. That defeats the purpose.

As you noted, you can pull an intake, and use a D tool.

I use the Gunson Colortune along with my senses such as smell, and temperature,  and adjust with the engine running.

I made the mistake buying the pit posse one as well trying to save a few bucks, buy once cry once with the motion pro one. What ever you do don't go and cut slots into the pilots! I'm curious if the bikes made for over seas also had the D shaped pilot since they were only required in the USA.

[98valk]

I use the Honda pilot screw wrench 07MMA-MT3010B for yrs. 

[-mike-]

European Valkyries have slotted screws, so the Pit Posse Tool works without issues.
I use the smaller angle gear delivered in the set an a stubby blade head screwdriver bit.

[Mooskee]

European Valkyries have slotted screws, so the Pit Posse Tool works without issues.
I use the smaller angle gear delivered in the set an a stubby blade head screwdriver bit.

The Pit Posse tool is actually better made with better gears in an enclosed housing. The head for slotted pilots is small and fits, unfortunately the other head and various adapters are too tall.  I did modify the D attachment by cutting off the bottom only leaving a small section of ears. It is still a bit too tall. If they had a head like the slotted one for the D tool, it would be superior to the Motion Pro.
I never tried the Honda one because back when I looked at it, it was $300. Ironically I have paid that much in alternative tools!

[Joe333x]

European Valkyries have slotted screws, so the Pit Posse Tool works without issues.
I use the smaller angle gear delivered in the set an a stubby blade head screwdriver bit.

Interesting! Would be cool if you could buy a set of the European screws to avoid dealing with the silly D screw

[Glaserbeam]

I was able to borrow the Honda pilot jet d-shaped long tool from a friend at the company, and using it was fairly simple once I loosened and spun the hose clamps 180 degrees around the rubber tube/metal intake tube connection between the carburetors and the heads, because where the two ends of the hose clamp come together and tighten interfered with the tool.
I did the idle drop adjustment, which was difficult because the big six doesn't idle glassy smoothly, and you're trying to detect a 50 rpm drop, but I probably ended up with all the screws between two and two and a half turns out. I also had synced the carbs right before doing this. The bike seems to idle a little bit better, but my gas mileage with our lousy California Gas is still always between 22 and 26 MPG with mostly City driving, and I am in awe of those who get above 30 mpg consistently.

[Joe333x]

I was able to borrow the Honda pilot jet d-shaped long tool from a friend at the company, and using it was fairly simple once I loosened and spun the hose clamps 180 degrees around the rubber tube/metal intake tube connection between the carburetors and the heads, because where the two ends of the hose clamp come together and tighten interfered with the tool.
I did the idle drop adjustment, which was difficult because the big six doesn't idle glassy smoothly, and you're trying to detect a 50 rpm drop, but I probably ended up with all the screws between two and two and a half turns out. I also had synced the carbs right before doing this. The bike seems to idle a little bit better, but my gas mileage with our lousy California Gas is still always between 22 and 26 MPG with mostly City driving, and I am in awe of those who get above 30 mpg consistently.

I saw a decent increase in mileage by swapping in a 4 degree trigger wheel and I set my pilots using a colortune and this time set them to low end of the blue combustion where as before I set them to the high side and it was definitely running rich. I have straight pipes and have 105 and 38 jets. Once I have her warmed up she'll idle at 500rpms nicely. I forget exactly what I get for MPG but on my interstate I get a 100 miles to the half tank mark on the gauge with a mix of city and highway above 3000rpm cruising speed so I'm sure with an all highway keeping her at 3000rpms I could get over 200 miles on a tank. I do run 93 in her since it's recommended when using the trigger wheel. The 4° is for interstates since they are already advanced 2° and the 6° was made for the other models. I'm not sure if you can still find the 6° but cycle max has the 4° and that's the one I'm using. https://cyclemax.com/products/gl1500-valkyrie-trigger-wheel?_pos=1&_sid=c670d7867&_ss=r

[WintrSol]

I keep an Excel file with every gallon and mile I've put on her since I bought her 10-1/2 years ago. Long term average is 31.4, highest ever was 47 (an outlier), and, not including the one I had a fuel leak, lowest was about 20, and was pulling a ~750# camping trailer cross-country to the Smokies. Usually 27 in town, though. Mpg improved after replacing the over-sized idle jets, and 4 degree timing wheel, which was not compatible with towing that trailer up mountains.

[Peteg]

Cool thread first I've heard of color tuning. So the following is easy for me to say as my bike was set up well and as much as I like to turn knobs I'm not touching it.

I can get to my AF screws with a standard 1/4" hex drive D bit and a 1/4" combo wrench. It would be difficult on a hot bike but with the right gloves could be doable. Also once the AF screw is moved with the bit and wrench it would seem you could put a 1/4" hex extension on the bit and turn it with your fingers maybe with some rubber gloves.

So if what's written above does not sound dangerous enough, I read about a guy who claims he uses discharged 22 shells for Dbits. I guess he flattens 1 side. I actually tried it without success. I was unable to get the flat edge right. If it worked they would be so cheap and so light you could maybe leave them up in place and like adjust the carbs once a week or daily. 

[Dirty Dave]

Just saying I get 34 to 36 mpg on my 97 with the ECT mod and Interstate diaphragm springs.

62 k miles on the clock.