Tachometer for setting pilots?

[nerider2]

Where did you buy a tach to use for the pilot adjustment?

Thanks
Ed

[Ricky-D]

To me, adjusting the pilots with a tachometer is a purist endeavor.

I'd suggest using a proper tool and investigating whether all six screws are loose enough to turn.

After affirming they are adjustable I would simply put them to the correct setting for your particular bike.

If after then, you feel more is needed I'd say look for a tachometer. Expect to pay large for it!

***

[98valk]

most bikes run good at 2 to 2 1/2 turns out. this will be based on any mods and if using E10 or not.

[Patrick]

I've tried setting the pilots by tach and heat and have the burnt fingers to prove it.. The pilots are pretty much set at 1.75 originally.. What is fastest and works the best is to set them at 2.25 from lightly seated [ 35 jets] and you should be good to go..

[nerider2]

OK, more info,  I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs, the right way, dipped them, put in 38 and 105 jets and set the pilots at 1.75 turns out.  I set the butterfly valves with the feeler gauge from redeye.  Thunder exhaust.  This thing runs great, more power, no backfire, BUT I am only getting 30.5 MPG.  Hence, I felt I needed to do the "by the book, sync, pilot adjust and valve adjust, to get back into the 35 to 40 MPG range.

Any thought are welcome.

Thanks
Ed

[Robert]

Adjustment of the idle jets will not get you lost mpg neither will trying to set it with a tach. Its better to set them by ear than a tach, the tach to average the rpm takes to long you can adjust it and wait and wait and wait but its pretty easy to hear the smoothness change and the rpms. As for around town that's probably right on without leaning the needles. If you want to increase your mileage then lean your needles so that at full throttle you get the 105s cutting in at part throttle the needles in lean condition cut in and idle is idle. You didnt mention if you have a timing wheel this will give you more mpg.

[Brian]

I have never messed with the pilots other than when I had to clean the carbs manually to get this girl running. All were set to the same setting where I found them to be. This 97 standard has always required the choke pushed down hard and a little throttle to light her up. Then I back off the enrichment lever as she warms up. I now have 14,000 miles on her since the carb cleaning, synching did nothing for the start up. I read where some owners here don't have to use the enrichment valves to start their machines. I have the 6 degree trigger wheel and yes the gas here is 10% ethanol. Here recently I notice more throttle is needed. She screams and idles fine, I am using Startron fuel enzyme with each fill up now that ethanol is here. Any suggestions?

[wild6]

I have never messed with the pilots other than when I had to clean the carbs manually to get this girl running. All were set to the same setting where I found them to be. This 97 standard has always required the choke pushed down hard and a little throttle to light her up. Then I back off the enrichment lever as she warms up. I now have 14,000 miles on her since the carb cleaning, synching did nothing for the start up. I read where some owners here don't have to use the enrichment valves to start their machines. I have the 6 degree trigger wheel and yes the gas here is 10% ethanol. Here recently I notice more throttle is needed. She screams and idles fine, I am using Startron fuel enzyme with each fill up now that ethanol is here. Any suggestions?

I used to have the same problem. 
I ditched the trigger wheel, did the ECT mod and have no more starting issues.  (She doesn't need any choke now in warmer weather.)

[John U.]

I too am a fan of the ECT mod.
It will improve your mpg if you control your right wrist. It will not affect starting or top speed. I use the potentiometer with the ECT mod to reduce the advance to about 1/2 of the maximum 10 degrees. Best of all it's easy and cheap.

1.75 turns out is what I have my pilot screw set at (running 38 slow jets). I generally get 35 to 38 mpg depending on speed and exuberance. My main jets are stock, airbox and filter stock, exhaust stock but drilled.
Are you running a stock exhaust?

[Patrick]

105 mains !!??  Why ?? These monsters run a tad rich with 100s.. I have a funny feeling thats where your gas mileage went to..  Its always a wonder why we never get all the info from the start..

[Chillerman]

OK, more info,  I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs, the right way, dipped them, put in 38 and 105 jets and set the pilots at 1.75 turns out.  I set the butterfly valves with the feeler gauge from redeye.  Thunder exhaust.  This thing runs great, more power, no backfire, BUT I am only getting 30.5 MPG.  Hence, I felt I needed to do the "by the book, sync, pilot adjust and valve adjust, to get back into the 35 to 40 MPG range.

Any thought are welcome.

Thanks
Ed

I have done the exact same thing  . Going from 35 to 38 slows I am down to 30-31 mpg from 38-40. I have them set at 1.75 turns out as well. Stayed with the stock mains. Runs great though.

[Ricky-D]

OK, more info,  I cleaned and rebuilt the carbs, the right way, dipped them, put in 38 and 105 jets and set the pilots at 1.75 turns out.  I set the butterfly valves with the feeler gauge from redeye.  Thunder exhaust.  This thing runs great, more power, no backfire, BUT I am only getting 30.5 MPG.  Hence, I felt I needed to do the "by the book, sync, pilot adjust and valve adjust, to get back into the 35 to 40 MPG range.

Any thought are welcome.

Thanks
Ed

Dream on!

It ain't gonna happen with how you are now set up.

***

[Brian]

I too am a fan of the ECT mod.
It will improve your mpg if you control your right wrist. It will not affect starting or top speed. I use the potentiometer with the ECT mod to reduce the advance to about 1/2 of the maximum 10 degrees. Best of all it's easy and cheap.

1.75 turns out is what I have my pilot screw set at (running 38 slow jets). I generally get 35 to 38 mpg depending on speed and exuberance. My main jets are stock, airbox and filter stock, exhaust stock but drilled.
Are you running a stock exhaust?

I am running the stock exhaust, piggies cut and first baffle drilled. Using K&N filter with the prefilter and stock jets. MPG's vary widely from city to highway running. 26 to 38 is the genaeral range. Last weekend on a 100 mile poker run two up I averaged 36.4 mpg. I have been seriously considering going back to the stock trigger wheel and doing the ECT mod after reading all postive feedback here.

[Robert]

With the 105 mains and the stock air box you will run rich at mid range. I have 110s/38 and the air box has been modified by removing the baffle. My around town mileage is 33 open road average at any speed 38.

[JC]

I lost about 4 mpg when I switched to 38's, your results may vary.

[nerider2]

I have Thunder exhaust and a 6 degree trigger wheel.  It sounds like 30 mpg is about normal. 
This thing runs great, more power than I would have imagined. 

[Bigwolf]

I am running a 98 standard with stock exhaust, #100 main jets, #35 slow jets and 2 and 1/4 turns out on pilot screws.  My MPG runs 30 to 40 depending on what I am doing.  Ripping around doing wheelies and actin a fool gets about 30 mpg.  Running 70 to 80 on the super slab nets about 35 mpg. While cruisin the 2 lanes at 50 to 55 MPH puts me in the 38 to 40 mpg range even when riding two up.  I do have a trigger wheel advanced 6 degrees but that requires premium fuel so I am considering taking it back to stock trigger timing.

As for the tach to set the pilot screws, I don't have one and did not use one when I had my carbs apart for cleaning and repair.  I believe it would be nice to set them precisely but the end result would likely be more satisfying mentally than mechanically.

Bigwolf

[Patrick]

I don't think 30 mpg is anywhere near normal,, but,, I don't use 38s or 105s..

[Ricky-D]

***

[wild6]

My tourer is stock except for the ECT mod and a K&N air filter (with pre-filter). 

Using regular gas I hit reserve yesterday at 180 miles, filled-up at 186 miles and it took 4.26 gals (43.66 mpg).

(My commute is 75% below 55mph.)

[salty1]

Increased jet size equals lower mpg.     ???