Rich or Lean - I am confused

[bj]

Hello,

In the middle of my Ca77 restore project, I got a sweet deal on a parts bike in pretty good shape. I am pretty much done with the project bike, except for overhauling the engine. I wasn't planning on doing this myself, but I can't find someone who will.

I have been getting a bit anxious to ride my pretty "new" dream. I thought that I would throw the parts bike engine into my project bike, so I could put around while I went to work on rebuilding the other. That is if I can get it running reasonably well without tearing it down. It has about 130 psi compression on both sides. I think it is on the low side because of the rings. Is 130 enough get it running descent?

I got it running, kinda. New plugs, set the timing, checked the valve clearance, good battery, and a clean carb. I have a generic foam air filter on it with stock pipes. It fouls the plugs straight away. They have and instant sooty black coating on them. Lot of black smoke out the pipes. Rich maybe? But, the bike won't run with the choke closed. It likes it open. It also likes the air adjustment screw all the way closed. Lean, maybe?

I am confused,

Thanks,
Bryan

[joeweir1]

Black plugs would be too rich and white would be lean.Air screw should be 1 1/8 turns open for starters and not deviate from that too much from my experience.Where is the clip on the needle of the carb?Float adjusted correctly?Are you using stock parts in the carb?

[bj]

I adjusted the float to 26.5 mm. I put a 130 main jet in from a keyster kit. I noticed that Bill Silver states that they where originally 90 to 125, so I suppose that could be the problem. Unfortunately, I don't have any others. The main that was in the carb was a 105 but, had incorrect thread pitch, so I didn't reuse it. As far as the needle goes, I'll have to look. I left it were it was.

I am thinking it is rich also, but if so, why does the engine die when the choke is closed? I don't have the greatest understanding of carbs, but, I thought that opening up the choke made the mixture richer. As for the air screw, I not exactly sure what that does.

Thanks,

I'll be able to play around with it on monday

Bryan

[LOUD MOUSE]

Have you run the engine with the air cleaner removed?. ...........lm

I adjusted the float to 26.5 mm. I put a 130 main jet in from a keyster kit. I noticed that Bill Silver states that they where originally 90 to 125, so I suppose that could be the problem. Unfortunately, I don't have any others. The main that was in the carb was a 105 but, had incorrect thread pitch, so I didn't reuse it. As far as the needle goes, I'll have to look. I left it were it was.

I am thinking it is rich also, but if so, why does the engine die when the choke is closed? I don't have the greatest understanding of carbs, but, I thought that opening up the choke made the mixture richer. As for the air screw, I not exactly sure what that does.

Thanks,

I'll be able to play around with it on monday

Bryan

[eyedragaknee]

As THE wise man says......Toss the friggin foam air cleaner once. Put new plugs in it and ride!!!!!!

If the rest of the carb is in order, you will be smilin.

Ask me how I know?

[bj]

I give that a try Monday.

So what is to keep crap out of the air intake?

Thanks, and what do you guys think about the 130 compression. Will that work ok?

Bryan

[LOUD MOUSE]

It will run fine with that compression. Reason to remove the filter is to prove you are not getting enough air. Once that is proved Yes/No then you can get a correct filter if that is the problem. .............lm

I give that a try Monday.

So what is to keep crap out of the air intake?

Thanks, and what do you guys think about the 130 compression. Will that work ok?

Bryan