Tach lead/ pilot adjustment

[cobraguy]

I've rebuilt my carbs on my 81 interstate and need to adjust the pilots. I have an automotive tach that reads up to 2000 rpm in 25 rpm incriments I normally hook it up to the coil neg on a car with a distributor. Can I hook it up to one of the coil primary wires, if so which one, (color please)and have it work. I do realize I will probably have to multiply my reading by 2 or 4. Also should I adjust pilots then sync or sync then adjust pilots.

[cobraguy]

OK so I got it done. I ended up getting an inductive pickup type tach at harbor freight $36.99. Not quite perfect for the job but it worked. At 1000rpm on the bike tach it was raeding 500 no biggie. For anyone out there doing the same, I found you must sync the carbs first. What a difference it makes. On the initial assembly I adjusted all the butterflies to close at the same time and amount visually. Needless to say it ran like cr@p but it ran. I used a carb tune and sync kit from sabrecycle on ebay came with kits, cutoff valves, accelerator pump, intake O rings, and a mercury monometer (carb sticks). $144 buy it now, quite the deal. Setting the pilot jets is a serious PITA because they're hard to get at and the engine has to be hot and running.