RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the books!

Here's the results of this weekends Eastern Massachusetts Carb Clinic ... hosted by: Yours truly -- RickCoMatic!

Nine people off 3 lists were coming for the event. I guess the change in the weather forecast scared everybody away. Nine expected ... 1 showed-up. A member of this forum; Wolfmajor -- from New Hampshire.

Riding in on a SWEET looking Max-X ... Wolfmajor and I got right down to business. Instead of just doing a little tweaking ... we kicked-over my toolboxes and started handing each-other tools until we had the carbs on-the-bench.

I showed her how to do one of the carbs; while explaining what the parts were and what they did. Then, I got to practice a little drumming, to the oldies on the radio, while she stripped-down the rack and cleaned them babies up until they were factory fresh.

Interestingly enough ... as the process of stripping-down the carbs ... we found evidence that the last person to service these carbs ... ah, sort-a ... put them together wrong. All the float bowl drains were aimed backward instead of facing outboard. Allegedly, a paid-pro did this.
We laughed ... kept going. Then, ran into the #-1 Pilot screw all chewed-up. I had to do a 2-minute "Drill" on that. Drilled it ... Easy-out ed it. Snagged a perfect one off a set of filthy's I'm rebuilding for eBay. Back in action, we settled for nothing but perfection!

Outside of a little bit of crud in the corners; the whole rack was in decent shape. We did some "Clean-tuning." Hitting the slide cylinders with some 800 ... followed by a nice surface shining. Her deceleration, now, ought to be pretty close to hitting the brakes!!!

Cleaned and pimped ... the carbs went back on the bike with the Pilots set at 2.5 Factory. Once we got supply valve opened on the auxiliary tank ... that bike fired-up and ran pretty nice ... and, we hadn't started really tuning it yet.

Cleaned-out the YICS Passage squeaky clean ... warmed-up the bike. Hooked-up the MotionPro Sticks ... put-in the tool ... checked the sync ... (which some places wouldn't have messed with ... they were all in the same gradient. But, rather than settle for that ... we tweaked and tweaked some more; until the four columns of mercury looked like the Rockettes kickin'-up together. T-W-E-A-K-E-D !!! Race tweak!

Oh, yea ... ColorTuned; too!

All four cylinders were ColorTune tweaked until we had the PERFECT color blue. Made real easy coming off the factory pre-set with Pilot Screws treated with a tiny little smear of NeverSeize.

So, although my Carb Clinic wasn't quite what I had expected ... with a bunch of people getting educated to what a set of carbs looked like -- inside and out. I must say that it was a resounding success; seeing that it concluded with Wolfmajor's bike being on the razor's edge of fine-tuning.

We started late ... about 11:00 AM. Broke for lunch and coffee. Got back to business and finished-up around 6:30 or so.

The resulting factor of RickCoMatic's Eastern Massachusetts Carb Clinic:
Wolfmajor is QUALIFIED to remove, overhaul, race-prep, install and super-tune carbs.
Wolfmajor's bike is on the hairy edge.
THE most perfectly tuned-up Maxim-X on Planet Earth!

 

If you ever get to philly area i would liek to attend. 8 hrs on a bike that desn't run perfect was kinda out of the question.Glad to see it worked out for you and wolfmajor.

 

well, I for one am jealous that I didnt get to go :-(

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Sounds like everything went good, sorry to hear attendance wasn't a little better, I am here in Northern Ohio and am a single dad, couldn't get away for the weekend to head out on a road trip to come up and spend some time on the carbs. I would really like to make it one sometime, plus I would like the road trip. I am glad that everything went well and hope next time more people can attend.

 

Can you tell ne if you'll be having one closer to Charleston, WV?

 

Glad to hear you had an enjoyable time! Hope everyone who didn't make it was ok (folks tend to get into accidents just about the time they are supposed to be somewhere). Sorry to hear of the lackluster turnout, I'm sure that more than a few of us wished we could have been there. A round of applause to you Rick, it takes a great deal of effort to host one of these events and I'm glad you took the time.

 

The Carb Clinic was one I had been waiting to attend for a very long time! It seems there hasn't been one around here (New England) for....well, forever, as far as I can tell. Reading all of the posts from other clinics around the world got me thinking that I could do this myself with the right guidance.

Fortunately for me, Rick was willing to host this clinic and his location is only about 1 hour south of my place. I would encourage everyone to attend a carb clinic when they are organized in your area!!! (They don't come to you - you go to them!!) I have spent hundreds of dollars at YammaRobber for work I have never been happy with (which is who put the bowl covers on wrong!). Now that I've gotten a chance to do some hands-on with an experienced XJer there to steer me in the right direction, I know I can do this, and other things, with my bike before having to resort to a paid pro.

The only correction to Rick's post is that I now own the most perfectly tuned Maxim 700 (not X)!! It is a sweet ride. Check out the pictures in my Picture Gallery!

Thanks again, Rick!
Ride safe everyone.
wolfmajor
'85 Maxim 700N

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Rick,-

These things take time. The very first Carb Clinic ever (the SOCC) had exactly 3 people show up. The host, his wife and myself. Everyone else who had expressed interest decided it was too far to drive. Now many of those same folks regularly come all the way up here to the NOCC -- go figure.

As for the rest of you, many of my guests ride a lot longer than 8 hours to get here. Look on the XJCD v4 under Carb Clinics and read "Rich's Odyssey" for what is probably the most extreme example. If he could limp that bike here from almost 2,000 kms away, you could make a little 8 hour trip to Rick's place.

;-)

tafn

dv

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Hello Everyone,

Is it posible that I can take my carbs off to send to one of you to rebuild or go over? I think I'm having problems with my choke circuit. With full choke on it revs to about 3k rpms. The slightest adjustment that you make as far as cutting the choke down the bike will just about die. The cable is in good shape as well as lubed. By sending the carbs out can they be redone to factory specs, synched, and color tuned? My bike is pretty much stock....82 XJ 650J. Other than that I'm pretty much in love with the bike. Or should I take on this task going by the information posted on the XJ site? As far as I can see I'll need to build the YICS tool. Buy the guages to measure the vacuum at the ports of carb boots. Then buy the colortune plug to adjust the fuel air ratio. I guess I'm a little shy of opening up the carbs to go through them. Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

Here is a sure-fire way to tackle your fears Gegan:

2. 1. Get the XJCD, Haynes, or factory manual.
Read obtained information several times until you are comfortable with the terminology and design of your carbs.
3. Write down questions for the forum and post them. Take responses and digest them until they make sense, repeat as necessary.
4. Apply process with your understanding.
5. Enjoy the fruits of your labors!

Sounds complicated but I'm certain this will lead to success. You have the requisite opposable thumb and four fingers (assumption on my part, a thousand pardons if I'm out of line) and the desire to see the task through. Nothing else, save tools and time, are needed.

 

There is always the possibility of calling for a carb clinic in your area or near you. There are other members in N.C. so maybe one is just what some others need.

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Please, please, oh please have a carb clinic for us. Maybe the Roanoke, Va. area? It's about 4 hrs. from Charleston, WVa., about 3 hrs. from Richmond, Va., about 4 hrs. from Norfolk, Va. Beach area, about the same from DC., and very doable from N. Carolina.

 

Roanoke would be awesome!

 

I'd be very happy to come down there and do a Carb Clinic. The host needs all the tools and the room to conduct the session. You'll have to pass the hat for getting me down there. I'll couch ... no problem with that.

Everybody does "Hands-on" carb work. All get watch and help do a set ... or, everybody can pull their carbs and we'll do a mass-cleaning. I'll be there to coach and instruct ... and, make sure everybody gets the job done right. This would be a first!

On-the-bike tuning for everybody when we have 'em all cleaned-up and put together real nice!

That's my hat in the ring.

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

730 miles from me.... I'm thinking I could trailer it, but then there's the expense of fuel and lodging. Hmm...

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

730 miles from me here in Chicago.... I'm thinking I could trailer it, but then there's the expense of fuel and lodging. Hmm...

 

Expense? Lodging? Do you know how much it costs to have your carbs rebuilt, installed and tuned to the degree the Clinic would perform? More than the cost of your fuel for the trip I would wager. Last time I checked, syncronizing alone cost over $150 (at least out in the Bay Area, included new spark plugs too). The stealership would gig you for far more than that for gas testing and air/fuel adjustment. I'm estimating that the dealer would charge easily $600 for the process. I'm sorry, but the trip sounds like a neat little, benificial adventure and who doesn't need that once in a while? Besides, I'm sure that the hosts or locals could set you up with a couch or floor for the night. Take the plunge and enjoy the comradery of fellow XJ'ers. C'mon, what are you waiting for? Rick is willing to tough it out on the couch (atta boy Rick), make his trip worthwhile and show your face, I know he'd love to meet you.

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

The stealer charged the PO of my 82 650 Maxim $471 for the following:

Oil and filter
Spark plugs
Clean carburetors.

Here is the Resolution statement from the invoice:

REMOVED CARBS FROM BIKE.
CLEANED ALL INNER JETS AND FUEL PASSAGE WAYS.
RESET AND ADJ CARBS.
INSTALLED BACK ON BIKE.
CHANGED OIL AND FILTER.
R+R SPARK PLUGS.
BIKE STARTS AND RUNS GOOD.

Since "RESET AND ADJ CARBS" is listed before "INSTALLED BACK ON BIKE." I'm inclined to think they were not synchronized with vacuum gauges. Mixture probably set to "turn screw out x.x turns".

Stealer also recommended "FORK SEALS ARE LEAKING. $234.00+ PARTS TO FIX.". Since the forks are dry and holding air I am inclined to think this is as bogus as when the oil change place wanted to clean the fuel injectors on my carbureted car.

 

I'll bet they did less than that.

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Time to do some math then, and I'll keep watching this thread. -John

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Come on guys (and girls), let's get him down to Roanoke for a carb clinic. I might be able to provide a warehouse space (would have to check with my boss) in Richmond, but don't have any benches or many tools to do the job. What tools are required to do the job, just screwdrivers and endwrenches? What expenses are required, plane ticket or gas money? If you want to do it in Charleston, WVa., I will gladly provide a bed, food, what tools I have and a one bay garage. Let's get Rick down here!

 

Re: RickCoMatic's Massachusetts Carb Clinic - ONE for the bo

Satyr,
If things really are that tight, and everyone elects to have the carb clinic in Charleston, I have 2 couches, a bed, and quite a bit of floor space. Whoever NEEDS a space is more than welcome. We just need to make a clinic happen!

 

Oh yea, I also have LOTS of yard for camping, if you're so inclined. I can provide electric hookups if you have a small camper, too.

 

If you wanted to do one near Charleston, WV. I can provide a single bay garage with enough bench room for maybe 3 rebuilds at a time, limited tools, a bed, 2 couches, some floor space, and all the camping room (with electric hookup) anyone would ever need (also may be able to convince the better half to whip up a pot of beef stew or something!)

 

sorry i missed it im in foxboro mass,i have no excuse.

 

Buy yourself the correct fitting ColorTune plug ... Hop on the bike and stop by here ... we'll (You will) -- tune it up until it can't get more tuned!

My door is always open!

Rick Massey