Spark Plug Diagnosis

[sixlow]

Just pulled these out of Teal with about 30 miles on them after I cleaned them first the other day, 3 and 4 look carbon fouled, hopefully just a valve adjustment.? Carbs just rebuilt so will have to digi sync them first I think.

[TJ]

In the pic those look wet to me... ( fuel )

[Grumpy]

Yep, running rich on those 2

[IamGCW]

Yep, running rich on those 2

+1 and maybe a little on 6. 

Gil

[Pappy!]

Assuming the carbs have not been sync'ed yet this really doesn't mean much. Sync the carbs first and then take another reading.
With some throttle blades at different angles than others and a set throttle angle on the master some cylinders will be producing more vacuum than others.
Get all of your vacuums the same and the readings should change as well. Then take a look.

[sixlow]

After reviewing every ones advice and before I saw Pappy's post I went ahead and turned carb pilot screws on 3,4, and 6 in 1/4 turn, setting them approx. 1 and 1/2 turns out. Brand new plugs and 200 miles later, this is what I have, 4 is still nasty, 3 and 6 are better but 6 still rich a bit, now #1 is looking rich. I just pulled the vac cap on #4 to take another 1/4 turn on #4 and the cap had fuel in it, still going to do a digi sync but wanted to add that when I disassembled these carbs some pilot screws where a mere 3/4 turn out, some 1 and 1/4, Do we have any other thoughts on these. Just for fun here is the difference between the I/S carbs springs and Tourer, yet another upgrade

[Pappy!]

Sync the carbs first. This will assure that all cylinders are doing an equal job.
Re-set your baseline number of turns to whatever you think. For 38 slows for example your base setting will be around 1 3/4 to 2 turns give or take.
Then go ahead and run the bike a while and take a look at the plugs. When some cylinders are working harder than others you are just pulling the plugs for exercise!

[John Schmidt]

To me, #5, 6, & 3 appear rather lean, #2 isn't far behind. Especially #5 & 3. All things being equal(a hard bet sometimes), I'd start with the pilots all set the same then do a carb sync. For starters, when I add the 38's, I set the pilots at 2 turns out which is still lean compared to factory. Run the bike for a few days and then check the plugs, make sure you have some hard runs(high speed/RPM) in during that time. Mine are set at two out, at times appear a tad rich but overall run fine. If, after setting all pilots the same and doing a sync you still have indications such as the picture, then the trouble is elsewhere. Keep in mind, a float level set too high will also cause a carb to run rich....again assuming all else is adjusted and checks out OK. Just my experience.

[Pappy!]

Hmmmm......apparently fine minds think alike......

[John Schmidt]

Hmmmm......apparently fine minds think alike......

I realized I sorta repeated what you said, with a couple extra thoughts thrown in. Now if I can just figure out why one cylinder on my 1200 wants to pop at the exhaust. Can't figure out if it's an air leak, carb, or sticky valve. Figure when I get it on the road I'll just run the dog crap out of it and see what breaks...or quits popping. 

[sixlow]

Finally got around to getting these carbs digi synced this evening, I would have sworn they where not far off but #'s 4 and 6 where about 10 (points) off of #3, and #1 was 5 vacuum points or so off, as we dialed them in I had to turn the idle screw down a few times probably 3/4 of a turn total. she ran great before this maybe a little scratchy on low rpm but now is smooth throughout the rpm range. I will pull the plugs tomorrow for a good cleaning and set the pilots back to all the same 2 turns out. Sure glad that digisync was invented it sure tells the whole story once hooked up. 

[Bert AKA,Valkaholic]

Good Deal On Getting The Carbs In Sync , She Should Be Sweet For A While Now !

[sixlow]

so it's been about a thousand miles since the sync and reset the pilot screws, they look pretty good I think, maybe lean on #1, and rich on #5 and 4 a little, anybody think I should turn some screws or leave her be. she is running the best she ever has.   , I also installed the smart switch today, easy peasy, worst part for me is replacing the tank and getting the vacuum lines back on. 

[Grumpy]

Running good, personally I would leave it alone.

[sixlow]

[sixlow]

another thousand miles, the other night she loaded up and was missing on me in low rpm range just after about 15 minutes of idleing. I was adjusting new fog lights while Liz held the bike upright, but after leaving that parking lot is when it started stumbling,  I shifted down to 4th gear and she cleared up about a mile later. seemed o.k. after that. pulled plugs to find this, took 1/2 turn in on the #1 and #4 and will run her tomorrow to B fast.