S&S Carb Tuning Tips

BroadBand

Since late 60's
Blatant copy & paste that may be of help and an addition to your printed manual.



S&S Carb Tuning Tips

Idle Circuit
1. Start engine and run until slightly warm (about 1 to 2 minutes).
2. Turn RPM adjusting screw to obtain an idle speed of approx. 1000 RPM.
3. Turn Idle mixture screw clockwise, slowly leaning mixture until engine starts to die. Next, turn screw counterclockwise, slowly richening mixture, until engine RPM start to fall off, counting the number of turns as you do so. Mixture adjustment is correct when screw is positioned about halfway between these points which should be approx. 1/4 to ½ turn out from lean side of adjustment range.
Note:
Turning screw out (counterclockwise) makes idle mixture richer. Turning screw in (clockwise) makes mixture leaner. Normally correctly adjusted screw will be between 1 1/4 – 1 ½ turns out from bottom if intermediate jet size is correct.

4. After initial idle mixture adjustment is set, reset engine idle to approximately 1000 RPM. A lower idle speed can cause hard starting; poor throttle response erratic idle and unnecessary engine wear.
5. Once the engine has reached normal operating temperature, repeat steps 3 & 4.

Idle Circuit Notes:
•If idle adjustments are made before engine is fully warmed, idle mixture will be rich when engine reaches operating temperature.
•Whenever intermediate jet change is made, idle mixture screw must be readjusted.
•If idle mixture screw is more than 1 3/4 out after idle mixture is correctly adjusted, it is a fairly good indication that the intermediate jet may be too small and should be changed to the next larger size. Conversely, if the idle mixture screw is less than 1 1/4 turns out the intermediate jet may need to be changed to the next smaller size.
•If idle mixture screw is turned completely in engine should not run at idle. If engine continues to run at idle with idle mixture screw seated, recheck initial setting of idle speed screw, and make sure enrichment plunger is seated. If engine still runs at idle with idle mixture screw all the in, contact S&S Tech support.

Accelerator Pump:
The function of the accelerator pump is to improve throttle response when rapidly opening the throttle at low rpm and to aid in cold starts. S&S sets the accelerator pump adjusting screw for maximum volume (all the way out) to aid during initial start-up after installation. Turning the screw inward (clockwise) decreases delivered pump volume. Turning it outward (counter clockwise) increases pump volume.

Adjusting the Accelerator Pump:
1. Warm engine to operating temperature.
2. Turn pump travel adjusting screw inward until screw contacts pump actuator arm. This shuts off the pump. Caution – closing adjusting screw with excessive force can cause irreversible damage to screw threads in carb body.
3. With engine warm and at idle, blip throttle and note throttle response.
4. Turn pump travel screw outward or counter clockwise about 1/4 turn at a time and recheck throttle response until engine no longer hesitates. This is usually about two turns out.
5. Minimum pump travel is recommended to conserve fuel, prevent spark plug fouling, and curtail black smoke from pipes when blipping throttle. Black smoke is usually an indication of a rich condition or excessive accelerator pump travel.

Some Performance Notes:

•To be sure idle mixture adjustment is correct; always check with fully hot engine.
•If popping or backfiring through air cleaner occurs upon taking off, this indicates a lean condition requiring that a larger intermediate jet be installed (one size larger) (size is stamped on bottom of jet).
•When fine tuning the intermediate circuit, it is best to turn off the accelerator pump completely. It can mask jetting symptoms.
•Whenever the intermediate jet is changed, the idle mixture should be readjusted.
•If engine backfires or sputters in carburetor or breaks up and or dies during acceleration, increase or richen main jet size.
•If engine runs flat and sluggish or blubbers, or will not take throttle, decrease main jet size.
•Always use an insulator block between carb and manifold. If not the heat transfer from the manifold to the carb may cause a temporary rich condition at idle and low speed rpm.

Jetting Chart
1 7/8" Super E
Displacement .......Idle Mixture ...... Intermediate Jet ....... Main Jet
55" to 74".....1 - 1 1/2 turns out..... .0265 - .0295...... .062 - .072
74" to 84".....1 – 1 3/4 turns out..... .031 - .036..... .074 - .084
84" to 98".....1 – 1 3/4 turns out..... .0295 - .033..... .072 - .082


2 1/6" Super G
Displacement-----Idle Mixture------------Intermediate Jet-----Main Jet
74" to 86"-----1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns out------.028 - .031----- .066 - .076
86" to 93"-----1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns out-----.0295 - .033----- .072 - .080
96" Up------- 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns out -----.032 - .036 -----.074 - .088

Note:
If your carb has a serial number that begins with the letter "D" or lower it has a .040 drilled main air bleed.
If the serial number begins with the letter "E" or higher it has a .040 replaceable main air bleed.
Note:
Jetting will vary depending on exhaust, cam & compression. Most jetting will be at the smaller end.




:flag:
 
Last edited:

francoblay1

The Spaniard
That´s the thread I was looking for... Excellent "Basic" information here. Printed and kept with the Manual :2thumbs:

:cheers:
 

Sven

Well-Known Member
Refined Basics:

0. If compression is not equal between cylinders, nor will the carb tuning work out for you either. 10% difference between cylinders is tear down time.

1. You want a lot of heat in the head. So atomization is more where the theory says this is all she wrote: About you running cross country at this carb setting. By the time you hook up things, start is, figure out what you're doing, you won't be holding some screwdriver to set the idle everyday.

2. You want the lowest possible idle it will stand before the oil light comes on. Why? Because you are going to feed what it wants under this low rpm condition.

3. You do not want to adjust the needle by ear. Not when you can watch the liquid drop or rise in a manometer. Buy one. Forget the ear unless you just want to be close enough. Now, you watch the peak of the liquid pulsing as smooth as you can get it. This now raises the idle. Set the idle back down again. And no, you do not want to run a needle into a carb body or a throttle body. Any bang, any line, any edge off those 45 degree angle points, you just ruined a carb/injector body. So the manometer is your guide screwing out from the getgo. Lower the idle till she keeps peaking at the meter. That's the idea. That's the theory.

4. You want a smooth idle. A lopping idle may sound cool, but it hammers the bottom end on the pounding down of the pulse. Even your shifting has to be smooth and out of that chatter range even cruising at low mph. Therefore, remove the lop, set the idle up until it smooths out. And if it takes 1,100rpm, so be it. Engine longevity is paramount with a twin. Wrist pins take a beating too remember and those are soft brass inserts no less.

5. You need a crisp snap at the throttle. Lean is mean = The most crisp. Say it bogs for argument sake. Then, turn the needle in say half? Again, you 'find the peak' to that half setting is that manometer theory.

The dots all make sense as how to solve a jetting change. You can run lean and have an engine with the same heat off the bike. You run too lean, you'll feel some heat off the bike, goes nowhere for power, pings, starts hard when hot; that is lean.

1/4 kicking is by ear. 1/8th kicking is by manometer.

Signed,

NOLTT
 

solid wood

New Member
Help my 107 starts and idles fine when you give it gas it cuts out.like its running out of gashow do I adj carb or is a different problem
 

woodbutcher

Mr. Old Fart member #145
Staff member
might want to pull the petcock and see if you have tank liner trapped in the screen. that would mean you will need to re-line the tank.
 

BroadBand

Since late 60's
Good job on the vid's

It's too bad someone can't figure a way to get videos into our printed manuals... but then maybe it would be a six foot manual. :lol: Agree on making this a sticky.
 

Raywood

The Pirate
Staff member
Calendar Participant
Troop Supporter
I can all of this to the "New Owners Necessities" thread we have on here that LDO started years ago.
I've posted those links also in other sections but lost with all the data we have on here now
 

Knorma09

New Member
Blatant copy & paste that may be of help and an addition to your printed manual.

Great post thanks. This helped me address issues that I had. But my bike jerks or coughs in 3rd during acceleration but not as much in 4th and 5th. Any suggestions. Thanks

S&S Carb Tuning Tips

Idle Circuit
1. Start engine and run until slightly warm (about 1 to 2 minutes).
2. Turn RPM adjusting screw to obtain an idle speed of approx. 1000 RPM.
3. Turn Idle mixture screw clockwise, slowly leaning mixture until engine starts to die. Next, turn screw counterclockwise, slowly richening mixture, until engine RPM start to fall off, counting the number of turns as you do so. Mixture adjustment is correct when screw is positioned about halfway between these points which should be approx. 1/4 to ½ turn out from lean side of adjustment range.
Note:
Turning screw out (counterclockwise) makes idle mixture richer. Turning screw in (clockwise) makes mixture leaner. Normally correctly adjusted screw will be between 1 1/4 – 1 ½ turns out from bottom if intermediate jet size is correct.

4. After initial idle mixture adjustment is set, reset engine idle to approximately 1000 RPM. A lower idle speed can cause hard starting; poor throttle response erratic idle and unnecessary engine wear.
5. Once the engine has reached normal operating temperature, repeat steps 3 & 4.

Idle Circuit Notes:
•If idle adjustments are made before engine is fully warmed, idle mixture will be rich when engine reaches operating temperature.
•Whenever intermediate jet change is made, idle mixture screw must be readjusted.
•If idle mixture screw is more than 1 3/4 out after idle mixture is correctly adjusted, it is a fairly good indication that the intermediate jet may be too small and should be changed to the next larger size. Conversely, if the idle mixture screw is less than 1 1/4 turns out the intermediate jet may need to be changed to the next smaller size.
•If idle mixture screw is turned completely in engine should not run at idle. If engine continues to run at idle with idle mixture screw seated, recheck initial setting of idle speed screw, and make sure enrichment plunger is seated. If engine still runs at idle with idle mixture screw all the in, contact S&S Tech support.

Accelerator Pump:
The function of the accelerator pump is to improve throttle response when rapidly opening the throttle at low rpm and to aid in cold starts. S&S sets the accelerator pump adjusting screw for maximum volume (all the way out) to aid during initial start-up after installation. Turning the screw inward (clockwise) decreases delivered pump volume. Turning it outward (counter clockwise) increases pump volume.

Adjusting the Accelerator Pump:
1. Warm engine to operating temperature.
2. Turn pump travel adjusting screw inward until screw contacts pump actuator arm. This shuts off the pump. Caution – closing adjusting screw with excessive force can cause irreversible damage to screw threads in carb body.
3. With engine warm and at idle, blip throttle and note throttle response.
4. Turn pump travel screw outward or counter clockwise about 1/4 turn at a time and recheck throttle response until engine no longer hesitates. This is usually about two turns out.
5. Minimum pump travel is recommended to conserve fuel, prevent spark plug fouling, and curtail black smoke from pipes when blipping throttle. Black smoke is usually an indication of a rich condition or excessive accelerator pump travel.

Some Performance Notes:

•To be sure idle mixture adjustment is correct; always check with fully hot engine.
•If popping or backfiring through air cleaner occurs upon taking off, this indicates a lean condition requiring that a larger intermediate jet be installed (one size larger) (size is stamped on bottom of jet).
•When fine tuning the intermediate circuit, it is best to turn off the accelerator pump completely. It can mask jetting symptoms.
•Whenever the intermediate jet is changed, the idle mixture should be readjusted.
•If engine backfires or sputters in carburetor or breaks up and or dies during acceleration, increase or richen main jet size.
•If engine runs flat and sluggish or blubbers, or will not take throttle, decrease main jet size.
•Always use an insulator block between carb and manifold. If not the heat transfer from the manifold to the carb may cause a temporary rich condition at idle and low speed rpm.

Jetting Chart
1 7/8" Super E
Displacement .......Idle Mixture ...... Intermediate Jet ....... Main Jet
55" to 74".....1 - 1 1/2 turns out..... .0265 - .0295...... .062 - .072
74" to 84".....1 – 1 3/4 turns out..... .031 - .036..... .074 - .084
84" to 98".....1 – 1 3/4 turns out..... .0295 - .033..... .072 - .082


2 1/6" Super G
Displacement-----Idle Mixture------------Intermediate Jet-----Main Jet
74" to 86"-----1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns out------.028 - .031----- .066 - .076
86" to 93"-----1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns out-----.0295 - .033----- .072 - .080
96" Up------- 1 1/4 - 1 3/4 turns out -----.032 - .036 -----.074 - .088

Note:
If your carb has a serial number that begins with the letter "D" or lower it has a .040 drilled main air bleed.
If the serial number begins with the letter "E" or higher it has a .040 replaceable main air bleed.
Note:
Jetting will vary depending on exhaust, cam & compression. Most jetting will be at the smaller end.




:flag:
 

HMAN

I just like my Freedom
Supporting Member
If you have an aftermarket air cleaner, be sure to pull the bowl vent plug.
 

Knorma09

New Member
If you have an aftermarket air cleaner, be sure to pull the bowl vent plug.
I do not. When I bought the bike I know that changed the jets to accommodate after market pipes. The bike sat for a while and then would not start. I took the carburetor off and cleaned it. I tuned it following your instructions. Thanks
 
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