Pilot Screws ??

[da prez]

  I adjusted the pilot screws as per the manual (2-1/4 turns ) We later found a pilot screw laying in the valley. It came out of the middle carb on the right bank. I reinstalled it with a touch of teflon and reset it to the specs. Did I miss something of was this just a gremlin. In the shop talk , the screws were recommended to be 1-1/2 turns out. What and why is best. The bike is a 99 Interstate with an old rider (old2soon) . I set mine before IZ14 and seem to be O_K.

                             da prez  

[Brian]

Each pilot screw has an 0-ring, washer and a spring. Do know if you had these in the carb when the screw feel out?

[da prez]

yes. they were there.

                                 da prez

[Patrick]

How did the pilot end up in the valley ?  [ does a boxer really have a valley ? But we know what you mean, I think]
Could you have forgotten to put that one back in ?
I've never heard of one backing itself out. I'm not saying it can't happen though. Usually the opposite happens.
Where did you see anything about either 1.5 or 2.25 turns ?  Normally they are at about 1.75 from the factory. But, these monsters with original 35s tend to run best when set at 2.25. 38's tend to run best at 1.5 to 1.75.

[Red Diamond]

It happen to me once because the pilot screw tool slipped and I thought it was ingauged. When I did get it back in I turned it to 2.5, later on a test ride it came out, down in the valley. I didn't want to use the same pilot screw, so I ordered new ones along with springs and o-rings.

[Otus]

I had one fall out soon after I got my bike. Prior to that it was idling rich and when it fell out you could hear the vacuum leak. I found all the parts on the motor and put them back in and it has seemed to stay in place.

[da prez]

  The Clymer manual calls for 2-1/4 turns and on the tech board it is 1-1/4 to 1-1/2 turns out. When I checked them . they were from 2 to 2-1/2 turns . I reset them on my and O2S 's bike. I will recheck them this morning before we leave for Savannah Il.

                                                 da prez