Carb Sync and Colortune

I'm about to purchase a Colortune setup off the net to get both my Maxim 650 and Ninja 250 at a perfect mixture. My question is if I'm going to need to perfectly sync the carbs prior to performing the Colortune, or if the colortune itself will negate any need to sync the carbs as each carb will be performing at an optimal burn rate? Also do I need to purchase any adaptors or anything in addition to the basic Colortune tool? For the record, my Maxim is running near perfect after a hard week of maintenace and repairs. It shocks me that a bike that has been around for 25+ years and pretty neglected could be so bullet-proof. I adore it! Thanks for everyone's help in advance.

 

If your bike is running fairly well now then no, you don't need to sync before colortuning. On adapters, you will need to buy a colortune plug to match one of the bikes. Unless both use a 14mm plug. The colortune will sync the carbs somewhat but only on the fuel side. A manometer or mercury carb sticks is needed to sync the vacuum side. It is not absolutly necessary but recommended.

 

So would you recommend that it would be a good investment to purchase a manometer in addition to the Colortune? I don't mind spending the money as I have already saved so much by doing the work myself versus the dealer (and I enjoy working on the bikes to perfection. Or would you recommend just purchasing a good manometer instead of the Colortune? Just looking for suggestions.

 

Picked up a Colortune off Ebay. Made a manometer and Sync'd Carbs, then checked cylinders with the Colortune. Minor Adjustments on 2 & 3, a little more on 1 & 4.

I think PO had played with 1 & 4 since they were reachable and had them running lean.

Bike runes Great now! Was missing a bit @ 3000rpm and idled a little rough, cleaned these problems right up.

 

They are two different tools for two different jobs. The colortune tells you each cylinder is getting a good fuel/air mix. The manometers tell you all 4 carbs are feeding the same amount of air (and thus fuel if properly set) into each cylinder. If the synch is not done, the 4 cylinders are each trying to run at a different RPM since they're getting different fuel/air charges at the same throttle setting. Not efficient, nor smooth.

If money is no object, get both. If money is an object, buy the colortune and make a water manometer.

It's been a year since I've done it, but I believe the standard plan of attack is synch, colortune, resynch. Someone will correct me if I am wrong.

 

Yep, like Oblivion says, get the colortune first. If I do another North Texas carb clinic this year you can come by and I'll sync the carbs. That is if Katy is not tooo far from Dallas.

 

Sync
Mixtures
Re check sync
Repeat as required.
Job is done when engine ticks like a Swiss watch 8)

Sync Tool:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=4191.html
YICS Tool:
http://xjbikes.com/Forums/viewtopic/t=4 ... r+all.html
Dave says:
http://members.tripod.com/dave_jack/id38.htm
He uses a CO meter, but applies to Colour tune too. Note well in some US States and other places around the world require emissions to be within set limits.