A new carb question I hope!

Is there a way to adjust the pilot screws without lifting the gas tank? This way I could small tweaks on the road.

 

A screwdriver tip on a ratchet?

 

Given how easy it is to bugger these screws up I think it would be a bit risky.

Faighaigh.

 

You could use a 90degree bevel scewdriver, see www.carbtune.com. IMO its easier with the tank off though.

 

I have a short little "stubby" screwdriver I ground down to fit.
I still have to un-bolt the tank and lift it a bit to get into #2&3 but you can do it.

 

An equally elegant solution:

v) Idle Mixture Screw Tool for proper removal/adjustment.....I've had this specially made so you won't be buggering up the head on these rather fragile screws. An exact-fit blade is recessed up into a shrouded cover that sits down over the screw, completely and properly capturing the screw head slot....this design not only eliminates stripping out the idle mixture screw slot, but also allows for very fine adjustment of the screw when fine-tuning the carbs (when using a colortune plug, etc.). Knurled top handle provides for a positive grip and 1/4-turn increments are marked for a visual indication of turns. A very neat little tool and it'll last a lifetime or two. Fits: XJ550 all, XJ650 all including Turbo, XJ700 all, XJ750 all, XJ900RK, and XJ1100 carbs.

HCP254 Idle Mixture Screw Removal/Adjuster Tool, fits all Hitachi HSC32/33 models and all Mikuni BS28/BS33/BS34 idle mixture screws.
$ 13.95

 

I bought one of Chacal's mixture tools, so I'll chime in here and say that it's well worth the price of admission. It fits the slot on the screw perfectly, and there's a collar around the blade that helps prevent the tool from slipping out, and also helps keep the "wings" from bending. The only downside is that because it fits the screw so closely, it might not fit if your screws are already deformed at all. I had to reshape two of my screw heads slightly to get it to work.

I don't know if it'll fit under there without removing the tank, though - haven't tried that yet.

 

My tank never has had the bolt in it to hold it down, it just rests on the rubber thing and my seat holds the tank down. Makes it easy to adjust the mixture since I can lift the tank with no tools. Then I carry a short stubby screwdriver that fits the screw perfectly. I drew a line with a sharpie across the top of the screwdiver the same direction as the blade so I can get a better judgement of how many degrees I turned the screw.

 

How do I buy this tool?

 

Start a conversation on this site with @chacal , or send an email to info@xj4ever.com.