Sunday, April 27, 2014
How to Balance Synchronize Motorcycle Carburetors
Many motorcycles have multiple carburetors providing power for the engine. In a multiple carburetor system, one or more carburetors may fall out of adjustment, or synchronization, with the others. This causes the cylinder to receive a different amount of air and fuel than the others and create an imbalance in the engine. Poor power, hesitation and bad fuel economy may result. You can make a mechanical adjustment to ensure all carburetors work at the same time and same rate.
Instructions
- 1
Place the motorcycle on the center stand. Start the engine and allow it to warm up until it idles reliably. Do not allow it to reach full operating temperature as this may lead to overheating.
2Shut the engine off. Turn off the fuel supply petcock at the gas tank and remove the fuel line at the carburetors. Remove the hold-down bolt at the rear of the gas tank and lift the tank off the motorcycle. On some models, it may be necessary to remove the seat or side covers in order to remove the gas tank and access the carburetors.
3Remove the vacuum plugs from the carburetor bodies. Some motorcycles have rubber caps press-fit into vacuum ports; others have screw-in plugs that require adapters that come with a multi-port manometer kit. Select the proper adapters and connect the vacuum lines from the synchronization tool to the ports on the carburetor bodies. On motorcycles with more than two carburetors, match the numbers on the manometer ports to those on the carburetor.
4Hang the auxiliary gas tank from the handlebars and connect the hose to the carburetor gas line inlet. Place the portable fan in front of the engine and direct the air flow over the engine to keep it cool. Turn the auxiliary gas tank cut-off valve to the "On" position. Ensure the fuel hose is not touching against an exhaust pipe or the engine.
5Start the motorcycle and observe the readings on the synchronization tool. The carburetors must be adjusted if the gauge reads more than 2.4 inches of mercury between any two or more units. Locate the adjusting screws for the carburetors. Some models have the screws located between the carburetor bodies; other models require the removal of a top cover to access the adjusters.
6Identify the base carburetor. On any multi-carb system, one carburetor is considered the base piece and is not adjustable. All other carburetors can be adjusted to match the base piece. The base carburetor is normally identified by having the throttle cable and idle speed screw attached to it. Turn the adjusting screws on the other carburetors one at a time until the readings on the synchronizer are within 2.4 inches of each other. Tighten down any lock-nuts, making sure the adjustments do not change.
7Repeat the previous step for every carburetor on the motorcycle. Open and close the throttle a few times and recheck the readings. When all readings on all carburetors are within 2.4 inches, tighten all lock-nuts and replace any covers or other devices that were removed to access the adjuster nuts. Set the final idle speed to the manufacturers specifications and shut down the engine.
8Remove the auxiliary gas tank and synchronization tool . Remove any adapters and replace the vacuum port plugs or caps on the carburetors. Replace the gas tank, side covers or any other component that you removed.
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
How to Balance Semi Tires
You see them every day as you drive down the highway, giant vehicles that are used to distribute our goods and food. As drivers on the road we are extra caul not to get in the way of these trucks. As it is, we see so many accidents involving semi trucks because they are big and bulky. It is important that the driver is in-tune with his truck because even the smallest issue can cause a giant problem. This is why it is so important that the tires on these semi trucks are balanced correctly. This job requires the use of specialized truck tire tools. It should take you about an hour to balance your semi truck tires.
Instructions
- 1
Park your semi truck on level ground and set the brakes.
2Block the front and back side of one of the tires you are not working on yet by setting one of the 4x4 blocks in front of a tire and one behind the same tire.
3Jack up one of the wheels by positioning the big rig jack under the axle and jacking it up. Slide the jack stand under the axle for extra security.
4Remove the lug nuts with the lug nut wrench by placing the end over the nut and turning the nut counterclockwise.
5Inspect the operation of the truck bubble balancer. Notice how it works with the plate on top. You will see that there is a bubble in the middle of the balancer. This bubble area looks very much like a carpenters level. You will also see that the balancer has a control lever on the side. This is used to raise the wheel into the balancing mode.
6Place the semi tire on the balancer plate so that you can see the bubble area through the center of the wheel. Push the lever to raise the tire into the balancing mode.
7Notice the position of the bubble. The idea is to get that bubble into the center. Lay wheel weights on the tire until you get the bubble in the middle.
8Install the wheel weights using the weight hammer at the locations on the wheel that center the bubble.
9Replace the tire on the truck and install the lug nuts with the big rig lug wrench.
10Remove the jack stand and lower the jack. Repeat for the other tires on the truck.