Carburetor Adjusting: Idle Drop Procedure

[@marksullivan9179]

I have no idea who would thumbs down this video, all of Cody‘s videos how been very Informative and he’s a great mechanic what can you say good job Cody keep up the good work

[@nuisynth]

Their idle adjustment screw was probably at 4 turns out and it fell out. Then they felt personally attacked by Cody

[@patgraeme775]

Or they were looking for a simple answer to a simple question, not 19:00 minutes of talking for a 90 second explanation?

[@dylan51racing]

10 minutes in he actually explains what you’re looking for

[@MrMrsregor]

thank you !

[@joewee]

7:20 is where the procedure actually starts if you want to skip the informational intro

[@JeremyBorumComposer]

Yes! Skip the first 7:20 for sure. That's where the video actually starts. Helpful though, thank you.

[@laynetravis]

Finally!i found a video to understand how to adjust my carb

[@darrengann7777]

Dude thank you for the video. I think you and Giovanni Ribisi sound alot alike and I'm a big fan of his too

[@Mcvanderospickersen]

I just dropped you $50...because YOU ROCK! Your videos are excellent and they save me a pile of money. I'd rather give it to you than some shop I don't trust. Go Honda!

[@flatbmw4784]

This video helped me tune my Grom with a 212cc big bore race engine. Thanks for sharing your knowledge. VB represent!

[@normanbonnette295]

In January of 2022 I purchased a 2007 Honda Reflex and since that time I have been attempting to get it to run a bit better. I've installed a B face off a Big Ruckus and Dr. Pulley sliders. These helped the Flex drop the dreaded lag and gave it much better performance, however I couldn't get the lag from my throttle. I would twist the thing and it would just stay, as I let her back it would pick up and go. I bought a additional tack tried every suggestion in the service manual, read every bit of information I could find on the web to no avail. Today I found this sight by accident watched it three times, went out to the garage and gave it a try. I installed a new Denso plug, let her warm up, put this procedure into practice buttoned up the doors and took her out on a 60 mile test run. Finally, it's perfect, no crap, perfect. It will now run 82 MPH cruise all day at 70, not hesitate to climb a hill, and smoothly clime from a dead stop to 50 without skipping a beat. My deepest appreciation, I have subscribed and will continue to look for those elusive answers Cody.

[@MOTOPILOT6]

Having this issue after changing the throttle tube on my Africa Twin and had to loosen the adjuster at the carb to get the cables into the new tube. Throttle is 95% good but returns slow. And it sticks when I turn the bars at all. Hoping your fix does the trick.

[@ryanred5724]

Wait...I just realized that is the procedure explained in my Honda's shop manual, but it is explained much more vaguely than in this video so thank you for clarifying things out

[@madcat4563]

Was abit difficult to understand for a newbie, byt the practical example made it crysral clear. Thank yoy so much, your videos have been a huge help.

[@jacobgriffin2636]

This video is the sole reason my honda shadow is now tuned correctly after a stage 3 rejet and intake upgrade. Thank you.

[@waynegacyii9010]

Fighting idle drop myself after changing pilot jets, great explanation.

[@BenjaminCrooks]

I'm an aircraft mechanic and your advice helped to tune a 1994 Kawasaki ZX11 with 4 carburetors, thanks again. Very valuable information!!!

[@lewistibbitts3894]

Does this process work the same as a single carburetor? I mean do you do one at a time or turn each one the same each time?

[@robertborchert932]

Some things come full circle. In the 1980s I was in the bubble with Hondas, every day. Loved it. So much so I branched out on my own with a workshop customizing and servicing…wait for it…those lovely GLs like that example in the background! Carburetors? Oh yes. I had two CBXs, both a 81 and 82. A custom six-tube manometer to sync those too. Well, I went looking in the toolbox. Yes sir! I still have my flexi OEM Keihin carb “D” driver. I have a box of those little alloy limiter caps for them somewhere, they allowed leaning the mix for altitude and limited enrichment. I moved on to blueprinting street and racing carburetors after that, classics, hot rods and all. It is a lost art these days. Slide valve, constant velocity, many brilliant designs. It took many years for electronic fuel injection to simulate the real magic a mechanical carburetor does with aplomb.

[@garyconstant4234]

You’ve saved the day again Cody 👍 I’ve got a virago 535 that needs the fuel/air mixture adjusting where someone before me has basically played with them and now the back cylinder is too rich as it’s blowing a bit of black smoke out from letting too much fuel in. Do you do a video of a twin cylinder bike. I watched your one doing the four cylinder tune up as I done my zephyr after watching it. Keep up these awesome videos fellas as they are absolutely awesome. Greetings from England

[@saatanakettu7514]

Damn dude i bought my first Honda motorcycle like a week ago and you have been really big help already. Thanks!

[@WheelsofSteal]

Cody!! Great video but what did you do with the idle screw now. Turn it back up afterwards? Thanks.

[@reubentan4737]

Thanks so much! Best explanation on procedural steps. My Honda CG 125 running too lean( blueing of pipes). Now I know how to tune the old school carb!

[@stealhty1]

Hi, Honda CB400// bog down on acceleration ,left side spark plug was getting black, I did your adjusment and closed the idle screw 1/2 turn ,and the bike now runs like a charm

[@radekfedyk4588]

Thanks for that. Will be doing my carbs tomorrow using this procedure. It will be fun as it’s a Magna VF500 with 4 carbs. Thanks again!

[@sharonsharon2604]

One if the few best instructors on KZbin in his field!

[@jarrodfarley905]

Thanks man well informed easy to understand

[@user-ot1dv6ri4f]

You do all the good things

[@jayrenner211]

I am about to get a free 1986 Radian - sight unseen. I am sure I will be doing this procedure soon. Thanks for the video.

[@gester236]

Hi Cody, can you perform the idle drop procedure on an inline 4?

[@brynbull6942]

After you found the sweet spot did u turn the idle screw bk up to normal idle

[@jaystrappa]

I was thinking the same thing 😂 🤔

[@leeclynes4712]

I have a zephry 550 b and I would like to say thanks for this as living in the highlands/Scotland the air going into my bike can be a pest as it’s different air pressure sometimes I have found so al give it a try cheers

[@marckublicki3153]

Thank you, I learned a lot from this video. As a hobbyist, I enjoy learning as much as possible. Again, thank you for a very instructional video.

[@SoapyHB]

Excellent video. Thanks for that. You have a very good teaching technique. Much appreciated.

[@doyle873]

Thanks for posting the link for the straight slot adjuster tool, Cody!

[@akbarhussain1767]

Hi there Cody,thank you again for an Excellent tuition about carburetor tuning, (Idle Drop Procedure) Excellently Explained, thank you friend 😊😊😊

[@gester236]

Can we have an Idle procedure drop on inline 4?

[@charlies6546]

i got a 03 honda shadow with golf cart mufflers, did the baffle delete and installed stg 1 needle set, for some reason the pilot needles are not same size, does this mean i have to set air/fuel mix screws independently from each other?

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

I would set them the same.

[@starfighter2952]

Will engine gradually getting hotter affect making adjustments if you take too long while doing drop?

[@petev.9357]

Hey Cody, hope you see this. I know video is old. Would LOVE to see this on your 750 Nighthawk. Pilot screw clearance HAS to be tightest on this bike with carbs in place.

[@lordofbasement]

I would love to see if you do the idle drop procedure on a GL1500. Because i have a GL1500 and struggle a little bit. Two carbs which are bad to get to. Mine runs perfekt after i cleaned the carbs (Idle circuit was clogged) but i setted the mixture screws to the position which honda recommends (i think 2 5/8). She reacts to throttle inputs perfect and gets to idle immediately but on coldstarts with choke she is sewing if i adjust the choke to about 1500rpm. What can i do against that behaviour?

[@drewdrew1000]

Very informative thanks. Do you have any experience with a Gunson colortune? It’s a clear spark plug, that you can view the colour of the combustion flame with and adjust accordingly

[@joeblow3939]

Cody, Would liked to have heard it return back to idle after you did the adjustment. 👍👍

[@adallen3]

Happy New Year Cody! Man your tips and advice are always top notch. I love the technical explanation. Thank You my friend.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Thanks man! That is super encouraging to hear 🤗

[@shees221]

Dude your awesome. Explained it pretty well. 👍

[@rashellyohn5128]

I just shot you a request for this very vid. oh another of your vids. Thank you for your brain power. She is my best friend and now she sings...

[@jake_break9185]

so Cody, what do i do if my sweet spot is only maybe half a turn out, and one carb idles up with mix screw all the way in. what do i need to replace or adjust?

[@How2Wrench]

I'm only 8 min in and NICE WORK BUD!

[@foxyeee]

I'm new to carbs and am working with dual carbs freshly cleaned. When working with dual carbs do you just do this procedure to both carbs one at a time? Or do I work them both at the same time?

[@screamfingers]

Ive got an honda mc22 beautiful 250cc inline 4 screamer from the 90s. I believe it has a fuel screw and its at 1.5 turns out. Is this acceptable? Thanks for your videos they are a big help.

[@taledarkside]

that is an important thing to remember is the changes don't happen right away love to see goldwing repair videos, like the 1500 in the back

[@cri8tor]

Know this tutorial goes over the basics and its well done, but please consider a follow up tutorial on syncing a set of duel carbs such as the ones on a Honda Shadow 750. Had to remove welch plugs to expose my needle screws. No bueno. Cheers

[@jessy6464]

Was also wondering how its done on a 4 carb like my v30 magna! I removed the baffles and would like to try this to see if i can get it at a sweet spot!

[@tebarker92]

Really enjoying your videos. As said below a video of this procedure on a V twin would be really helpful as it’s confusing to know on how to make the adjustments to one cylinder when there’s another cylinder beating in the background.

[@koricaDHNajbrziStakor]

imagine quad carbs

[@gam0t0]

Thanks great vid, so did you bring the idle back up a bit after the procedure or leave it way down in the 500-600 range for normal riding

[@mdgardner70]

My 2004 250 Ninja runs great, but decelerating to a stop doesn’t want to maintain idle. Honestly can’t remember the last time I cleaned the carbs, but it hasn’t been driven much in the past several years. I did store it with shitty fuel that had separated but got the tank and carbs drained and good fuel back in. Think there is some varnish still in the carbs?

[@BardoReyes]

Genius man!!! Thank you for the help

[@minxita]

Hi, great video. Actually educating :) Thank you. Could you explain about the 4 carbs, as it should be done all at the time the same no matter what? I do get a lot of backfire, and low and high rpms just dont work properly at all. Thank you

[@nathanielmcauslan9377]

Do each one independently

[@black_yeti]

Is backfiring bad? Also does backfiring happed the most at rich or lean?

[@jeremyfinn586]

Lean

[@mfc392]

Great video... thanks Cody.

[@OFFICIALxGAMER]

Good stuff man. Just got my 78 cb750 running and driving. Set timing. Still has old points after sitting for years.. I rebuilt the carbs. Running air pods and 128 main jets. It's kinda hard to start. And hesitates at low rpms mid range is great. I did not rebuild the accelerator pump. Kit did not come with it. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[@dalt7666]

So when you finished. Did you turn the idle screw back in, to its original idle speed?

[@peterpoggi]

I see you have a VTX1300 in the background. I'm tuning my 2005 1300C after replacing a bad petcock. Does my A/F mix screw work the same way as the one you demonstrated? Meaning, turning it in reduces fuel, turning it out increases fuel?

[@cheesquilin962]

Would synchronizing ur carbs take care of this? Is this procedure done before is after a sync? I got a 82 xj650, not a mechanic. Great informative videos, thx.

[@brianb5779]

Is there any chance you happen to know what the hole size is on a 06 honda crf50f for the pilot jet? Forums are all over the place on hole size..if i were to guess i wana say .012" but guessing doesnt help. Thank you if you could respond..

[@hotdogdog4740]

First off I love your videos, you’re pretty unrivaled as far as raw knowledge and understanding of these bikes on KZbin. I’m actually building a 1972 cb350, with the stock keihin carbs. I’m at the near end of the build but having difficulty with the carb tuning, any suggestions on jet sizes? The stock idle jet is #35, main is #68, secondary is #105. I just switched over to k&n pod filters btw and upgraded to a #35 idle, #75 main and 115 secondary. Haven’t tried starting her up yet as I’m in Michigan and it’s currently pretty cold out but I’ll give her a kick soon.

[@roberttosa2560]

Excellent video. Really helpful. Thanks Cody.

[@darktimefreak1678]

Is that the same on in line four ?! i have a bandit and the idle is like lower than normal .. it's dropping probably the fuel air is too rich ?! should i do same while the bike is running and warmed up ?!

[@VOLVOb18ft]

I have rebuilt the carb for a suzuki gt125. I set the float to spec, set idle air screw to spec (one turn from fully closed) but my issue is that the engine does not idle at all. It keeps dying unless i stay above 1500 rpm. How am I supposed to set Idle since I have to keep engine runing high? Any idea?

[@kobiisrael10]

I have a problem with my KTM 250 2T The tool has not been used for almost a year This week I found time to take care of it, I did a fuel-oil change, I cleaned the filter plug, everything, finally I tried to start it, but the car could not start. It only started with carburetor spray and shut off straight away From that I understood that the carburetor needed to be cleaned and that's how I did it. Now the problem is different, the motorcycle drives straight up to very, very high turns I played with the air-fuel screw but unfortunately it didn't help. Is there a situation where the problem is different? Something in the carburetor maybe? need help pleases tool,

[@uziXwraith]

you can use a strong centerpunch to knock that welsh plug out sometimes if you angle the center punch a bit... some cheap china aftermarket carbs have welsh plus so flimsy you can dig the soft metal welsh plug with a screwdriver or hook

[@thedaydreamer7972]

Hi, I have both a Intruder VS1400 and Marauder vz800,,,I have the bikes running well and synced and carbs inspected and set to spec,,,However the idle on both of these bikes is a bit off,,,AND upon bliping or reving the throttle on both bikes the idle hangs for a sec before returning to steady idle,,,from my under standing when this happens its typically a lean condition, conversely when you blip a throttle and it dips, then returns to idle its a rich condition,,,,,,,IS this issue solved by simply finding the correct mixture screw seting on both carbs? IF not do you have any other ideas for me to try? TY you have a great channel

[@Airon0727]

yes sounds like its running a little lean if its not your throttle cable getting hung up

[@seanhallahan9142]

What are your feelings on seafoam to clean carbs if it's just sat for awhile?

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Depends on how long. Slight minimal build up where the bike still runs but is showing signs of lean-ness, sure. Worth a try of a consistent dose. If the bike sat for years, the likelihood of it providing any substantial help is slim to none.

[@seanhallahan9142]

It's an 05 Sabre but sat for around 7 months. Got old fuel out but is still struggling really hard to stay on at full choke even.

[@rustydusty275]

@@seanhallahan9142 Hey Sean, did you ever figure out your sabre? I'm working on mine as well. I cleaned the carbs and now it still will not run on choke and makes a loud whistle noise. Any ideas?

[@TCBZSKI716]

I know it's old but was curious on how to idle drop 4 carbs?

[@CoolKillkennyCat]

Hey mate, great content as usual. Just wondering what I should start looking at if I can set my bike up to idle fine and the after it gets warm the idle sits high either indefinitely or for a good 30 seconds before returning to normal?

[@MarKeMu125]

Does anyone know if loctite blue is any good for these adjuster screws?

[@sleezymechanic]

Hey man! I cleaned the carbs on my vt1100 and it seems to run great already! But when fine tuning I hardly get an idle raise when I turn the fuel screws counterclockwise. Do you think I should put one size higher jets? Or maybe just the pilot jet? It seems to run really good at 60.

[@Oldtimerider]

You have a great way of explaining things! Thanks much.

[@chrismirasyedi]

Got an 83’ Yamaha XS650 and my idle is too low. To the point where when I come to stops the bike will start to choke and proceed to stop. Would this just be an idle screw adjustment or fuel adjustment as well?

[@Airon0727]

COULD BE BOTH

[@RICHIE_RICH89]

I always go out till engine change in till engine change then between the two spot on everytime

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Boom, well put! Me too!

[@MotoMango]

Anything to avoid rejetting! xD Nice work mate.

[@mikelyons9971]

Should I do this idle drop tune on a carb in the ambient temperature that I will be riding in?

[@Roboticdoughbull3k]

mike lyons I just went out and did the exact same procedure on my old 85 trx 125 and the temperature here is about 20 degrees with no danger of the recent 6" of snow we got yesterday melting. Anyhow it worked great even though I'm probably at the max 3.5 turns out, she definitely idles better than before only had adjusted the main screw and was super picky as to a exact sweet spot it would idle at. Seems much happier now in my experience.

[@khell1169]

i have 2 carbs on a honda cx500 - can i pull the plug on one side... make the mixture adjustment, then do the other side? aka 1 side at a time?

[@anthonyskorner4511]

No

[@Crazygaucho62]

Perhaps a very stupid question but ….so that screw adjust actually fuel ? The more you open the richer the mixture ? Are all carburetors the same or some adjust air ?

[@Joe_1971]

Hi Cody, I have an 01 Kawasaki Vulcan 500. It seems to run good, very peppy and has no problem accelerating. Only issue I have with it is when I hold a constant speed or decelerate, I get some backfire out out the right side exhaust. I have cleaned out the carbs, balanced them and like I said the bike runs good with the exception of a slight backfire out of the right exhaust. My question is when performing the idle drop test the left side carb will cause the engine to die when i turn the piolot screw all the way in and run nice when it's 2 1/2 turns out. The right side card turning the pilot screw all the way in or all the way out makes no difference to the running engine. Any idea why? I am assuming that they both should do something to the idle and not just the left hand side one/

[@tylanway5450]

The right side isn't adjusting. I think that is a signal that there is something wrong like a clog the right?

[@joserantocb750]

Hey Cody, Happy new year bro, looj, I have a question, when you close "turn in" the air mixture screw are you leaning the mixture? thanks buddy.

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Yes! Exactly!

[@joserantocb750]

Ok, thanks

[@delta614]

so when doing this for a 4 carb setup. will it do the same across doing them one at a time?

[@delta614]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/eqWVhKl3qLGLi7M

[@Nuwanhq]

You have to adjust all 4 and then check it. PITA

[@Bh-dq3pd]

I was wondering if you could help me. My kz440 starts then dies immediately. I cleaned the carbs and still

[@brucebenioff]

I have a 2007 s40 that stopped idling and would die at low rpms. This happened a year or two ago and when I took the idler jet out it was plugged, I cleaned it and for 2 years or so it worked perfect. It happened again. I cleaned the carb but no difference. Hard to start and wont idle. So I now see clearly the idle circuit or needle is plugged but not in the jet I cleaned in the bowl area. DUH.

[@iDSMB1]

nice and clean tutorial.thx

[@DavoMelendez]

good explanation

[@sydneybaumgartner9801]

Thanks ! going to try this on my KLR

[@barnycanuck6234]

Can you do a video on how you go about determining if a motor simply needs rings or a rebore

[@TheMotorcycleMD]

Visual Inspection is the only way of knowing. Any deep or feel-able rust lines of scoring needs re-bore.

[@barnycanuck6234]

TheMotorcycleMD ok thanks, cylinder bores check out good that way, maybe I will just throw a set of rings in the old CB750 since I got it apart and call it good.

[@lamontcleveland482]

Can u do a video on a 86 Honda Shadow VT700C carburetors

[@703Bugeye]

i cant get my honda shadow to stop popping at idle and deceleration with open exhaust and stacks im also in va and ive tried every jet combination from 42/142 (bike wont even run) to 50/150 (bike is running pig rich)

[@1cisqo]

Cody, I like what you're teaching but, I have a Valkyrie and with 6 carbs. None of these work. Do you have any videos on the Valkyrie. Yes, carbs been cleanes 3 times now I'm changing the jets. If there info in the Insider club then sign me up....

[@Isaa5500]

Guys I hope you can help!! I have a 2001 Yamaha FZS 1000 and the start-up on the choke is really difficult it cuts out 3 to 4 times I have to Revit up really high in order for the idle to continue running otherwise it stalls four to five times. When I initially start with the choke the idling is 3000 and slowly decreases and then stalls after 30 seconds of running !! The Choke plunger works perfectly. Any idea why this is happening thanks

[@JshMusician]

Wish you showed this on an inline 4.

[@juanpalomoyomelocomo]

Great content. Congrats

[@MoBLuBSiAb4LiFe]

Can you do one for dual carb

[@joshlujan7019]

Please do a vtx 1300 carb tune vid please man. Would greatly appreciate that genuinely

[@BeginnerBikeLife]

13:40 That happened to me on my CBR600F4 carb 1... which also caused my bike to have terrible idle, but also have me buy another carb rebuild kit....FELLAS/LADIES listen to the man!

[@ouch2925]

The get in the hole part destroyed me. I love this guy lmao

[@baazigaj9125]

Good stuff Cody..cheers