Easy Idle mixture screw mod.

[kalekk]

I just wanted to do a air bleed / Idle mixture adjustment on all my carbs. I have an 82 standard GL1100.Try as I might with this tool and that one all I could get done was to put a blister on the back of my hand. Those little dudes are hard to get to. I had to pull the carbs to replace my accelerator pump anyway so to make easy work of that hard to reach set of screws I modified the screws by putting T-handles on each one. As you can see I used a tiny drill on my dremmel tool to drill a hole thru each screw then I cut some short rods to put thru the holes and used epoxy to glue them in place.I could have used roll pins and pressed them in as well. After that was completed I used a cut off wheel with my dremmel and trimmed a tiny section of webbing from the side of each bowl to get clearance for the T-handle to swing. It turned out great. The T-handle can be rotated with ease useing one finger or with any type of rod. I have posted a picture of the work. If you are pulling your carbs for rebuild or whatever this little mod is worth thinking about before you reinstall them.

[Drew]

How do you set the pilot screws (the carbs were just rebuilt and the turns for each were not marked down) on an 83 gl1100a?

Thanks!

[kalekk]

Sorry drew I dont know the reccomended setting for an 83. The info I used stated the 82 was set at 1.5 turns out but for some reason it said for 82 only. I am sure the spec. is in the Honda service manual but unfortunatly my copy was deleted and I am looking now for a source. It seems Honda has been enforceing there copy rights over the old shop manuals. I think you can find a DIY thread on idle drop method of finding optimal setting for the idle mixture screws. Good luck.

[Drew]

Thanks. I've got it running halfway decent, but I know it can be better. The search continues...... Thanks again. Drew

[imfree]

I set mine @ two turns then start the engine let it warm up and then adjust.

[Andyb]

I started with mine 3 turns out on my 83. I don't remember where I read it but I saw it somewhere. I ended up with them at 2.75 and it runs quite well.

[rogerf]

Aaah! So others see a need to adjust the idle/air screws! I notice the carbs have two each ...what is the other for?

Also, ever since I increased the idle speed screw too much and had to lower it again, my "off throttle" response is slow. To be more specific, when I rev the engine up now, it is slow about dropping the rpm's when I back the throttle off. (both new cables and butterflies are closing, but rpm is slow to drop???) Are the air bells still getting too much vacuum or not enough at that point?

[virgilmobile]

Here's the procedure as recommended by Honda.

[RBGERSON]

Another easy mod..If the flag caps are still on them or if you can get some..to reglue on..just take the bowls off grind off the ridge that keeps the flag caps from moving 360 and your are done..now you can move the flag caps with your finger or screw driver w/o too much trouble.

[Iggys]

Thanks for mod, great idea ! Just did mine on a '83 while I had the carbs out for another issue. Drilled out the head to 3/32 to accept a 3/32 roll pin. To make it easier to drive the pin in I drilled partially with a 5/64 to get it started. Used a vice to get the pin flush to one side and then used a small 1/4 socket between the now flush side and vice jaw, gently pushed the pin to its center. Done. Pins will never fall out.
You guys are the best,
Iggy

[Choppir]

I'd like to continue with this topic. My bike seems to be running ok at idle but when I give it some throttle it speeds up RPM's but is very hesitant on going back down to the set idle speed. Is there another adjustment that can be made to pull back on the cable that makes it pop back, either on the handlebar grip or under the false gas tank?

[WingAdmin]

I'd like to continue with this topic. My bike seems to be running ok at idle but when I give it some throttle it speeds up RPM's but is very hesitant on going back down to the set idle speed. Is there another adjustment that can be made to pull back on the cable that makes it pop back, either on the handlebar grip or under the false gas tank?

There are a few usual causes of this.

The throttle already has two cables - a "push" and a "pull." If you look at the twist grip, you'll see two cables exiting the bottom of it. When you open the throttle, the pull cable pulls toward the grip, and the push cable pushes away from the grip. When you close the throttle, the reverse happens. The idea being that if one cable breaks, you can still close the throttle in an emergency.

If you let go of the throttle and it slowly returns to idle, but when you forcibly close the throttle it quickly returns to idle, the cause is usually frayed or rusty throttle cables.

If you close the throttle forcibly and it slowly returns to idle, it can be:

- One broken throttle cable - throttle return spring is having difficulty moving the remaining cable, or the frayed end of the broken cable
- Unbalanced carburetors
- Vacuum leak

[LittleGoldy]

The 2 and 3/4 turns is a good starting point. It's close as can be and may need a "minor" adjustent post warm up.