Pilot screw limiter cap removal?

[swarrans]

Hi,
The carbs on my 82 Prolink have been ultrasonically cleaned and set up by a local specialist but he says the pilot screws were set to 1.25 to 1.5 turns out unlike the 2-2.5 turns out recommended here.
The bike is very difficult to start and has to run on choke for quite a while and although I don't know the CBX well enough to be sure it just feels a bit hesitant under 4,000 rpm so I would like to move the pilot screws out another turn to see if it makes a difference.

The trouble is the limiter caps have been fitted and I would really like to avoid removing the carbs to make the adjustment if possible. The manual says the caps are fitted to the pilot screws with Loctite 601 - do you think I would be able to tap them off or apply a little local heat to get them off so that I can make the adjustment without removing the carbs?

I fear I know what the answer is going to be!

Regards

Simon

[EMS]

They can be pried off. How difficult it is, probably varies from carb to carb. Heating them up may help. I took some off without heat, carefully levering a sharp screwdriver under them.

[Goss]

a local specialist

For the record, not me!

Regards

Goss

[tevan]

Heatgun will help allot. I wouldn't do it without heat.

[swarrans]

a local specialist

For the record, not me!

Regards

Goss

Indeed, not you Steve!
The dealer has probably done a good job generally and seems well respected locally from what I've heard, but it is the specialist type of knowledge of people on these forums that "normal" dealers might not be privy to (the manual does say 1.25 turns out after all).

I just has another ride and had a couple of backfires when cruising at zero throttle behind cars and the pipes on the left hand side seem to warm up much more slowly than the right hand side...

Thanks everyone, I might as well see if I can remove the limiters with a little heat as it would save a lot of time.

Simon

[Goss]

Unfortunately Simon it sounds like a little more than the idle jet adjustment. If it is backfiring or popping on shutoff then there is possibly a vacuum shut off valve issue, may be a combination of ignition issues as well.

Hesitant under 4,000rpm could be accelerator pump issues which can be painful to sort out if blocked. Hotter on one side than the other? I have no idea where you had your carbs refurbished but with the number of issues you have I would be tempted to go back to them with a list and ask them to fix them (foc).

After having your carbs cleaned and set up by any specialist you should be able to bolt the carbs on and ride the bike without any hassle, at worst a mild synchronisation of the carbs. I assume this work has cost you at least £250 plus parts so it wouldn't be unreasonable to expect near perfection. Leaving the limiters on rings alarm bells and working to the manual went out the window years ago.

I do know of a couple of dealers that literally dump part stripped carbs into an ultrasonic cleaner, change o rings and put them back together hoping for the best. To my knowledge they are no longer working on CBX carbs.

Regards

Steve

[daves79x]

I'm with the others - betting they'll have to come back off and be properly cleaned and set up. Even at the more closed setting for the pilot screws, the bike should warm up very quickly and respond perfectly. Opening up the pilot screws will not fix all that.

Dave

[swarrans]

Oh dear...

The dealer was ANC Motorcycles who advertise in the UK magazine Steve. The bill was paid by the previous owner and was over £500 (including an MoT and one or two minor items). I guess I will try and get them to do something but I'm not confident I'll get anywhere.

Are you planning a ride out this weekend Steve? If so it would be great if we could meet up and you could ride the bike so I can give them an independent experts view....

Cheers

Simon

[Goss]

Oh dear...

The dealer was ANC Motorcycles who advertise in the UK magazine Steve. The bill was paid by the previous owner and was over £500 (including an MoT and one or two minor items). I guess I will try and get them to do something but I'm not confident I'll get anywhere.

Are you planning a ride out this weekend Steve? If so it would be great if we could meet up and you could ride the bike so I can give them an independent experts view....

Cheers

Simon

Ouch!

I would be lacking integrity if I were to get involved in any criticism directly or indirectly especially as any third party could claim a conflict of interest on my part (working on members and non members bikes), advice no problem.

The advice from me (putting myself in this dealers position) would be to give the dealer an opportunity to put things right, get in touch with the previous owner and ask for his advice on the matter as the original contract for the work was between himself and dealer. If they are advertising in the magazine they are clearly looking for more business and the best that can happen from this situation is that they sort this out for you to your complete satisfaction.

I have a couple of appointments at work on Saturday and on Sunday my youngest has two under 15 football matches (double header, catching up from bad weather). Possible 3:00 pm on Sunday or, if you like you could come down to my home in Crawley?

As you know I am technical adviser and web master for the club, as an advertiser this dealer is supporting the club so I can only advise best efforts to resolve the issue.

My mobile number is 07971 169980.

Regards

Steve

[swarrans]

I rode past Crawley on my ride today!
I'll contact you via your mobile and arrange to come and see you at a convenient time - thanks

Simon

[Goss]

That's a shame, my business is in Copthorne.

Speak soon

Steve

[Larry Zimmer]

One guy's experience from shade-tree corners here: With considerable fidgeting, I have been able to use a single open hacksaw blade hand held and 'whittle' away sufficient material from the ends of the limiter tabs of all the carbs, while installed, to be clear of the boss on the carb bodies so that they can be fully adjusted as desired. Took me a couple hours one fine day. BUT, they are now adjustable. Just set yourself up with a couple hours, a serving of a good brew and a fine cigar along with some patience. Beats pulling the carbs just for this. You might be able to do the same thing with a long quill with an abrasive tip in a Dremel.

Just one guy's experience. Hope it might help someone.

[swarrans]

Thanks Larry, definitely worth a shot

Simon

[asacuta]

Can't you fit a soldering iron in there, heat up the cap, and pull it off?

[swarrans]

That'sa good idea too Al - thanks

Simon