Running very rich

81 maxim 650
Carbs are super clean.
New rebuild kit for carbs
Stock jetting for altitude
Can't find any cracks or leaks in manifolds
Running pod filters

Pulling the plugs after idle, long rides, short rides. Every time they are black and will foul.
I have tried adjusting mixture both ways with no result.

a friends maxim of the same year runs great and has his air jets different. It looks like
They are swapped from what they should be meaning the pilot is towards the motor rather than the intake.

Bike has solid compression so I am at a total loss.

 

80-81 XJ650's have 195 air jets. Later years have 205 air jets(for the pilots)

Either size will work to get the motor running. Is sounds like you may need to tweak your float heights and/or idle fuel adjustments.

Edit:

Just noticed that you stated that the air jets are swapped (main/pilot) the literature manuals picture them in the wrong spots. Remember, the smaller air jet goes with the larger fuel jet.

 

Pods are going to required larger pilot and main jets , it is hit and miss. By the way what are your idle mixture screws set at 2.5 is a good starting point. Easier to start there first , if this helps great...if not then jet change Another posibility is weak coils , what kind of plugs NGK recommended.

 

Your's are the ones that are swapped. Below is the correct air jet placement.



Also....say no to pods. Constant Velocity carburetors don't play well with them.

 

i had the jets in the fuel bowl around the wrong way between main and pilot myself when mine was running rich and kits usualy come with two choices of main jets i chose the higher ones and put them back in the rite place ...
Main Jets: #112 , #122
Pilot Jet: #43

 

Buddy of mine used pods on his bike and it never ran right factory air box ran great

 

Agree pods are not the way to go they might "have the COOL" factor , but bike with stock airbox runs soooo much better!!!