Rich or Lean - I am confused

[bj]

Thanks,

I'll give you a report monday.

Bryan

[obscure44]

I too think that I'm not getting enough air for my Dream. I ordered a K&N universal filter, but it won't get here until Tuesday. How long can you run the bike without an air filter to test this?

[bj]

I got some time in today.

I tried running the bike with and without the airfilter, and without a doubt, it ran better without it. It probably picked up 300 to 500 rpm with it removed.

That makes me think it wants more air (or less fuel.)

I next put in a 120 main jet instead of the 130. That seemed to make it slightly better. Unfortunately, neither of these things helped with the problem of not being able to close the choke during idle or riding down the street.

It also still likes the airscrew all the way tightened. I am having a hard time with that. It's my understanding that the airscrew ads more air when it is opened. That doesn't jive with the other symptoms pointing to it running rich.

Next I decided to move the needle down one click from it's middle position. I also changed the slow jet back to the one that was in before I started the carb rebuild (original? who knows?)

The bike wouldn't start.

I next moved the needle to one click to the other side of the middle position, up. Still wouldn't start.

I checked to make sure I still had spark. Sure enough.

Next, I banged my head on the wall for 5 minutes and decided it would be better to go drink a few beers.

Tomorrow, I am going to try a complete new cleaning.

I am still confused (mainly about the airscrew business)

Bryan

[bj]

Update:

I'm still confused. I cleaned the carb again with no success. Now the idle is kinda funky, When I first start it up, it will rev high for awhile and then head back down to normal. I got a different carb, cleaned it again, and tried that one. It idled better, but had the same problems. It won't run without choke and likes the airscrew completely closed. All testing has been with the air cleaner off. The choke problem continues when riding down the road.

I checked for leaks at the intake manifold. It was good.

I don't know what else to do.

Anyone have any more ideas?

Thanks,

Bryan

[joeweir1]

Sounds like your getting a real education on your Dream!Just thought I'd ask.Are all the breather fittings clear of any debris(not sure if that would cause any of your sysmtoms?)

[bj]

Joe,

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked today, and they are clear.

No doubt I am learning alot. I have only done minor engine stuff before. Last night I read for about 3 hours on how carbs work.

If I break down the symptoms......

1) bike only runs with choke open - seems like it would be a slow jet problem, but if that was true, why would it persist at wide open throttle? To me, this suggests that it is too rich (backed up by the plugs) and the reduction of air from the choke being closed, kills it. And I have cleaned the slow jet 3 times, in 2 different carbs.

2) bike likes the air screw closed - this is the most rich setting possible, so while the bike is running rich, why does the bike idle down when the screw is opened? It seems like this would help by leaning it out.

I have a 120 main jet in there now. Maybe a lower one would help, but that should not have a effect at idle, so I doubt it.
I get pretty much the same response from 2 diffierent carbs. Is this even a carb problem?

Let me know if any of my reasoning is incorrect.

Still lost,

Bryan

[LOUD MOUSE]

It should and when it does turn the slide screw in to raise the slid and raise the RPM. .........lm
<<<<<<<<why does the bike idle down when the screw is opened?>>>>>>>>>>>>

Joe,

Thanks for the suggestion. I checked today, and they are clear.

No doubt I am learning alot. I have only done minor engine stuff before. Last night I read for about 3 hours on how carbs work.

If I break down the symptoms......

1) bike only runs with choke open - seems like it would be a slow jet problem, but if that was true, why would it persist at wide open throttle? To me, this suggests that it is too rich (backed up by the plugs) and the reduction of air from the choke being closed, kills it. And I have cleaned the slow jet 3 times, in 2 different carbs.

2) bike likes the air screw closed - this is the most rich setting possible, so while the bike is running rich, why does the bike idle down when the screw is opened? It seems like this would help by leaning it out.

I have a 120 main jet in there now. Maybe a lower one would help, but that should not have a effect at idle, so I doubt it.
I get pretty much the same response from 2 diffierent carbs. Is this even a carb problem?

Let me know if any of my reasoning is incorrect.

Still lost,

Bryan