D adjusment on carbs - on bike?

[Strider]

Newbie question.  I am at work, so cant do a close look - but question is....

Can I set my D adjustment screw on carbs without the carbs bank being off?  I am going to be changing my petcock, so will have the tank off next week, but can I set my adjustment without having to remove bank?  Bike seems to be running a bit rich (gassy smell at exhaust).  Got the stubby D tool from Redeye.  Last time I adjusted, I had all the carbs off for a cleaning, but was just wondering if I can adjust the screws without having them off.  Thanks.

[John Schmidt]

Yes! And where the heck have you been old friend?

Re. the carbs, I found my rather manly paws don't fit under there very well so I usually will loosen one side...just loosen the six small bolts, don't remove them. On the other side I remove them and the middle intake, that's so I can lift the carbs up enough and at the same time get my hand in there to make adjustments. Once done, replace the bolts part way and do the same procedure on the other side. That's how I do it, others will use a different approach. I've tried the 90 deg. geared tool thingy which is supposed to keep you from having to do the above, however I never had good luck with it so it gathers dust.

[sandy]

I remove the intake runners to adjust the D screw. On another note; my valk use to smell like rich fuel (exhaust). After numerous cans of Seafoam, I finally removed the carbs and soaked and cleaned the clogged up jets. Now it runs like a Buick on steroids and no more smell. The smell is from clogged idle jets and the cylinders aren't firing properly which sends unburned fuel out the pipes.

[Paladin528]

Why do you feel you need to adjust the pilots?

[old2soon]

My unburned fuel smell/stink was from a hole in the fuel petcock diaphragm. After rebuilding the petcock and a digisync it runs like the proverbial spotted azz ape!  RIDE SAFE.