Rebuilding the Carburetors/Running too Rich

jarl1967 · Post by **jarl1967** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 2:04 pm

I've put about a 100 miles on my restored 66 CL77....before each new ride, i have been pulling the spark plugs and cleaning a lot of soot (dry) off each plug.....they are getting way fouled-up.

The other day I wanted to go for a ride, but when i flipped the petcock to open fuel....gas starting pouring out the carb breather tube. Looking in the float bowls, i could see tiny particles of paint in the gas i dumped out of the bowls. So, I am assuming my carbs. are clogged and need rebuilding.

I've seen a lot of advice about changing out main/slow jets etc.....but it has all been for bikes that are running too lean....mine is definitely the opposite. At this point, I have no idea what sizes for each of these are currently installed. I'm confused as to what rebuild kits to purchase...does anyone have any advice.

Also...it would seem to make sense to install fuel filters to keep the crap from the tank from getting into the carburetors. Just curious if anyone has installed fuel filters to one of these bikes? I don't want to have to make a habit of rebuilding these things.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Wed Jul 11, 2007 5:14 pm

I always install filters. Any idea how the paint chips passed through the fuel valve filter?
I use the CB77 kits and adjust engine to them.
Never a problem here or for others I've done carbs for. .........lm

jarl1967 wrote:I've put about a 100 miles on my restored 66 CL77....before each new ride, i have been pulling the spark plugs and cleaning a lot of soot (dry) off each plug.....they are getting way fouled-up.

The other day I wanted to go for a ride, but when i flipped the petcock to open fuel....gas starting pouring out the carb breather tube. Looking in the float bowls, i could see tiny particles of paint in the gas i dumped out of the bowls. So, I am assuming my carbs. are clogged and need rebuilding.

I've seen a lot of advice about changing out main/slow jets etc.....but it has all been for bikes that are running too lean....mine is definitely the opposite. At this point, I have no idea what sizes for each of these are currently installed. I'm confused as to what rebuild kits to purchase...does anyone have any advice.

Also...it would seem to make sense to install fuel filters to keep the crap from the tank from getting into the carburetors. Just curious if anyone has installed fuel filters to one of these bikes? I don't want to have to make a habit of rebuilding these things.

jarl1967 · Post by **jarl1967** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 1:41 pm

Hey Loud Mouse....first i should mention that it's been a long, long time since i worked on anything with a carburetor...much less 2 of them.

However, i guess i should have described the paint as sludge rather than chips.....but unless i am mistaken the gas from the tank only passes over (rather than through) the fuel strainer screen...so i would think the paint sludge would get flushed through fuel tubes to the carbs and thus causing my problems. (Installing filters between the petcock and carbs would seem to solve the problem.)

As far as using the CB77 rebuild kit....i read your advice/comments about that and i see that others have done the same with success...my concern is that aren't the jets larger on that model? and if so, doesn't that mean more gasoline passes through the carbs which in turn makes the bike run even richer? again...i could easily be wrong.

Also, I wonder if the higher altitude here in Denver might also play a part in deciding what size needle, main & slow jets i should be using. Any thoughts?

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Thu Jul 12, 2007 6:22 pm

I raced my 2 stroke off road Stadium Super Lite in Mile High Stadium 2 years in a row and never changed the carb jets or needles from what I used in San Diego, Calif.
I do recommend you use the needle and slow jet and stay with your 130 main jets if ya want.
How did ya adjust the points?. ..............lm

jarl1967 wrote:Hey Loud Mouse....first i should mention that it's been a long, long time since i worked on anything with a carburetor...much less 2 of them.

However, i guess i should have described the paint as sludge rather than chips.....but unless i am mistaken the gas from the tank only passes over (rather than through) the fuel strainer screen...so i would think the paint sludge would get flushed through fuel tubes to the carbs and thus causing my problems. (Installing filters between the petcock and carbs would seem to solve the problem.)

As far as using the CB77 rebuild kit....i read your advice/comments about that and i see that others have done the same with success...my concern is that aren't the jets larger on that model? and if so, doesn't that mean more gasoline passes through the carbs which in turn makes the bike run even richer? again...i could easily be wrong.

Also, I wonder if the higher altitude here in Denver might also play a part in deciding what size needle, main & slow jets i should be using. Any thoughts?

jarl1967 · Post by **jarl1967** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 3:41 pm

Thanks for the advice Loud Mouse....

unfortunately I do not know how the points have been adjusted....haven't done that myself yet.
I guess that is another thing I will have to re-learn. (It was a friend-of-a-friend that got my bike going again.)

Back to the carbs.....from looking online a CB77 Carb Kit has: D9 Needle/#135 Main/#42 Slow
while a CL77 Carb Kit has: D13 Needle/#130 Main/#39 Slow

and looking at my HONDA CL77 Parts Guide these bikes could have MAINS of #120,#125,#130,#135 or #140; and SLOW JETS could be #38,#40,#42 or #45.

I'm guessing you can buy some of these separately and MIX-AND-MATCH...but I can't say I know where to start. (Don't really want to spend a lot of money by going through a trial and error process using different combinations.)

This is confusing....and now I have to worry about the points too! So much for hoping this would be simple.

Anyways...maybe I'll look up my friend again and have him do it.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Fri Jul 13, 2007 4:16 pm

Nows the time to learn how to tune your bike.
Go to the home page and then to FAQ then to How I tune my engine.
Follow the directions exactly and you will find a big difference in the engine.
Could be if you adjust those points as the info says you will be able to adjust the carbs as they are.
AS I've only been working with these bikes/engines for many years I guess I don't know much and should go back to reading how many parts are available for the carbs and do as I once did until I found that the CB77 kits made the CL77 run as good as the CB77.
Sorry i suggested a CB kit for your CL engine. GOOD LUCK. .............lm

jarl1967 wrote:Thanks for the advice Loud Mouse....

unfortunately I do not know how the points have been adjusted....haven't done that myself yet.
I guess that is another thing I will have to re-learn. (It was a friend-of-a-friend that got my bike going again.)

Back to the carbs.....from looking online a CB77 Carb Kit has: D9 Needle/#135 Main/#42 Slow
while a CL77 Carb Kit has: D13 Needle/#130 Main/#39 Slow

and looking at my HONDA CL77 Parts Guide these bikes could have MAINS of #120,#125,#130,#135 or #140; and SLOW JETS could be #38,#40,#42 or #45.

I'm guessing you can buy some of these separately and MIX-AND-MATCH...but I can't say I know where to start. (Don't really want to spend a lot of money by going through a trial and error process using different combinations.)

This is confusing....and now I have to worry about the points too! So much for hoping this would be simple.

Anyways...maybe I'll look up my friend again and have him do it.

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