Balancing BMW Airhead Carburetors

A simple and effective technique to balance the carburetors on your BMW Airhead motorcycle to make it run smoothly. NOTE: IF YOU WANT TO HEAR THE ENGINE RUN, FAST FORWARD TO 09:30.
--- REGARDING THE MUSIC ---- Please stop complaining about it. This video was recorded in Matt's back yard and the music is there to cover the incessant noise in the background: airplanes, garbage trucks, traffic...
Be sure to still watch the first part as Matt tells you all the things you need to do BEFORE you balance the carbs.

[@donaldolin7219]

I rewatch this occasionally……to remind me of the good old days. Matt. You are the GOAT!

[@cdong007]

This is the most practical airhead tuning video for me.

[@josephschmidt7229]

WOWWWWWWWWW!!!!!!!!! Big Difference. The left was pulling 500 RPM more than the right. Vacuum synch was off. Much improved now.Thanks again Matt.

[@josephschmidt7229]

Thanks Matt. We can all benefit from your knowledge and experience. I've been balancing through vacuum. I will proceed with this method. Respect..... More videos please !!!!!

[@MrLornce]

Excellent summation of an oft-misunderstood procedure. Thank you, Matt.

[@trainingwheels1408]

Thank you for this video. This is the first time the shorting method was fully explained. Many talk about using this procedure, but they never explain exactly what to do after shorting the plugs.

[@Aclan]

Balancing the carbs in this technique is great but the way which is shorting the sparkplugs is frying the ignition control unit(ICU)! I own 1995 R80 GS and never had a good balanced carbs by using carb balancing devices which uses the suction ports under the bing carbs.But when I tried to short the plugs my ICU has fried!So ; u can just take the spark plug cap off and stop that cylinder and do the carb tune and this does not harm your electronics.But when unplugging the spark plug cap use 2 wooden sticks for not to be shocked and pull them off fast and away from any shorting surfaces of your bike ,so no sparks can jump on your bike.Listen to the other cylinder fast and than plug the spark plug cap quickly on it's place.When I tuned by this way my new ICU did not fryed out and also a smooth and perfect idle is just happening.Also my ride is so enjoyable now.

[@jamesjahoda1613]

I had an R75/6 for several years. After some practice it was so smooth and ran strong. . I rode several others that shook like crazy. Even one tuned by a local "expert". I could keep up, flat out , with R1000s. There is nothing like getting to know your own bike intimately. I fussed over it every 1000 miles. Maybe ten times a year.Intimidating at first, It became pretty routine. This video is very nostalgic to me.

[@tomwilker2861]

Thanks Matt! This is the same procedure we used on our old Brit twins. One issue I've seen on my R100 has been with the chokes on the carbs...they tend to not fully seat against the stop even with adequate cable free play. Balancing this way makes for a very smooth running airhead. Perfect!

[@TheJACKCOLORADO]

Thanks, Moto Rod and Matt for taking the time and effort.

[@susanquitzau2433]

Excellently detailed, orderly, and easy-to-follow instruction. Many thanks!!

[@windycityben4850]

Great video! The “shorting” method always made me nervous. Definitely look forward to trying it come spring time! Hopefully more of these type videos are in the works! Safe travels friends!

[@abhiramchintangal7654]

Precise and to the point! Thanks for this!

[@mojoriden]

Excellent instruction. Thanks for doing this! I never knew how to do the high speed before.

[@TheStevemcqueen68]

Great film , Great info, Please get rid of the music

[@Radar100RS]

Thanks Matt!!

[@southbrooklynmoto9184]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge

[@pastorius]

great info, great guy. thanks

[@donaldolin7219]

Matt. You are immortal!

[@bernibeckmann9753]

much appreciated, very helpful

[@shingerz]

Great video

[@hoverbotfpv1425]

Thanks dude, big improvement over my clapped out Amal knowledge! LOL!

[@donaldolin4616]

Matt....he's the champ!

[@jupiterjohnson7191]

Such a wealthy of knowledge!

[@allwinds3786]

Thanks for the reminder. I'm trading my faithful '77/7 for a '77RS. I'm driving my Sprinter with the/7 just over a thousand miles to effect the trade.

[@benjaminwest2281]

Hi Visian. I hope all is well. My right side cuts out the entire engine. The left stays running while grounded. Mercy!

[@nevspacey6913]

Thanks Gents for your fine video. Question. How do you identify the strong / weak side. Is the aim to adjust up the weak side or vice versa, that is adjust down the strong side to match the weak side? I tune my R69S with a Harmonizer (ports fitted). However I do take your point regarding equal vacuum is not necessarily equal power. My bike is super smooth up to about 3,000 rpm. Then gets quite vibey.

[@dasboototto]

Good video but I prefer using a manometer. A manometer is easier to use and gives a visual reference to what is going on in between both carbs. It also is easier to set up the throttle cables so the carbs are balanced in the transient between idle and wide open throttle.

[@ElmrPhD]

Only if you have some sort of vacuum ports. The old slide carbs have no such ports...

[@dasboototto]

@@ElmrPhD I drilled and tapped holes for brass tubes to use as ports on the carbs of both of my BMW motorcycles. I cap the tubes when I'm done synching the carbs.

[@sylvaineich8560]

Thank you! Merci en français

[@zombiewoof5257]

Is this method also suitable for airheads with electronic ignition? Great explanation though, thanks.

[@maintayne]

Yes it works on my R100 with Dynatek ignition. You still have to make sure that spark plug wire is grounded.

[@maverick1685]

Drop the music Please.

[@fernandodelimagoncalvespin3958]

Hi I have a 1974 BMW r60/6 that has a problem that nobody can solve. When I start the engine, the rev counter marks 1200rpm and after some time it starts to accelerate by itself until it reaches close to 3000rpm. This happens after 6 to 8 minutes. I wonder why? It have 2 carburetors Bing 1/26/123 and 124. Thanks

[@Visian]

Have you inspected the intakes between the carbs and the heads for leaks? If you spray a little carb cleaner around the intakes while the bike is running and the idle increases, you have a leak.

[@fernandodelimagoncalvespin3958]

Hi, thanks for the precious tip, I will take this test.Best wishes@@Visian

[@paulodowd9466]

Hi please advise. New to air heads. Trying this method to tune carbs. But when I try to earth each cylinder separately both cut out. Any advice please

[@Visian]

No tech knowledge here, I just produced the video. Best to join the Airheads (Airheads.org) and ask there.

[@lpalokan]

Did you find out the reason and solved the issue?

[@shingerz]

I'm still trying

[@bikedogtor1663]

Or just use vacuum gauges? Just saying

[@ElmrPhD]

Only if your carbs have vacuum ports. Just sayin'...

[@tomcatkzn]

@@ElmrPhD 🤣🤣🤣

[@poosanth]

LOL... great content but who ever thought it was a good idea to put music track during the whole process, including listening to the engine, yeah.. yikes

[@deepsmac7784]

Dangerous method and inferior to using the correct tools for the job. You are dealing with 20,000 volts here.

[@chrisblenkinsopp8588]

Great commentary but the music is VERY UNNECCESARY and DISTRACTING. Bike videos don't need tarting up with junk music!!!!