I think I gotta adjust the carbs

Check out these plugs (they are in order from left to right). #1 looks way too white, and #2 looks a little too black. #3 and #4 look about right (i'm guessing, though).

Also, i felt the #2 exhast pipe as i started the engine, and it seemed to warm up a bit more slowly than the others. #1 warmed up more quickly.

I'm guessing that #1 is running lean, and #2 is running a bit rich. I think will try adjusting the pilot screws to "three turns out," which from what I have read here is recommened.

 

Setting the pilot screws to 3 turns out is not what we recommend unless the carbs ahve been removed, disassembled and now need to be colortuned. Since you have not done this it would not be a wise move to set them at 3 turns. What would be wise it to run some carb cleaner or Seafoam through the carbs and then with a gasoline only filled tank, set the carbs with a colortune. If you don't have one then I would adjust the #1 screw out 1/2 turn and the #2 in 1/2 turn. Then do another plug check. Remember that a plug check must be done in the "reading range" If checking idle the bike should be run at speed then idled down and plugs pulled. If checking at highway speeds the engine must shut down at speed and the bike coasted to a stop and plugs pulled. This keeps the combustion burn within the reading range. If the bike is allowed to idle then you will be reading the burn at idle.

 

They all look "bad".

Carbs clean?

Have you altered the mixtures? Set sync? Correct grade of fuel? Air leak?

How is the bike running?

Use new sparkplugs.
Check your mixture settings by carefully "bottoming" each screw noting exactilly how many turns are required. This will let you know if they are drastically "out" and provide as means of returning back to what you have now (incase).

Somewhere in the 2 and a half to 3 turns is the sweet spot.

Remember this guide on how to read your sparkplugs:

Sparkpulg reading guide

Match up to what you have and provide us the number of the plug that your ones are closest to.

 

I actually just had a shop clean/repair/rebuild the carbs and I would think they would have properly synced and tuned the carbs. While the engine seems to run ok, something doesn't seem quite right (popping noice from the exhaust) which leads me to believe it is running a bit lean. I will try the "plug test" as soon as I can. Also, I've ran a bit of Seafoam through the engine, but probably not for longenough to make much of a difference.

Is it at all lilkly that a motorcyle shop wouldn't properly sync/tune the carbs?


Thanks for all the input! It is greatly appreciated.