Tuning by Temp?

I want to set my mixture to finish tuning my carbs but I don't have a color tune. Since a lean engine runs a little hotter and a rich one runs cooler. Could I tune by temp of the header pipes using a laser temp reader?

Would someone be so kind as to take a reading from there well tuned ride?

Thanks

 

Yes, but a lean-and-missing cylinder would give a cooler temp.

I came up with a zip tie trick, you would zip tie 4 small slips of paper to your headers, then see how quickly they melt. The paper is just to keep your headers clean.

Meanwhile there's always reading the plugs to get your final settings.

 

Mikuni's on 550's
Presets for Pilot Mixture Screws.
Measured with extreme accuracy.

Make two "Depth Gauges" using the Shanks (Not twists) of a Drill Bit (-or some other cylindrical object-) to fit the Pilot Misture Screw Hole and come to a rest upon the whole top of the screw head ... allowing you to visually measure the DEPTH of the TOP of the PILOT Mixture Screw >> Below the FLAT Top Section of The Carb Body.

Number-1 / Depth / = 11/32nds Inch
Number-2 / Depth / = 09/32nds Inch
Number-3 / Depth / = 09/32nds Inch
Number-4 / Depth / = 11/32nds Inch

These values represent Factory Presets.
These values may be improved upon with additional Tuning.
Additional Tuning will be within 8 Degrees either way of the Preset.

Illustration: 8 Degrees within 1/4 Turn (90 Degrees):

 

I have my carbs cleaned and as soon as I set the floats they will be going back on the bike. Sync will be done then I'll do a plug reading at idle. Once I get a nice tan plug I'll be using a temp tool to match them up. I haven't seen the tool yet but have access to it whenever I want. I'll post what I find for temps.
To add to Rick's post. I used a caliper and measured .250" between the top of the idle mixture screw and the top of the well it sits in. This is with the screws set two turns out, which is where they were when I tore down the carbs. I'll take a final measurement when I'm done setting it.

 

I've been thinking the same thing. I have no color tune, and reading the plugs is rather time consuming and hit or miss. I've always been curious to know if there is a better way. Unfortunatly I do not have access to any of the tools mentioned above

 

Well I tried to tune by temp. I had a multi-meter with a temp probe but it was too slow. It took too long to get a final temp and by then the last one had changed too. A lazer temp guage would work much better.

 

So Rick, is there a similar chart for the 650's/750's with the Hitachi's?

 

Not an "Official" one.

But, I'd love to have those who have achieved an exceptionally good "Dialed-In" situation ... Post the DEPTHS of their Pilot Mixture Screws to see if there is a "Standard Deviation Curve" to use as a Starting Point.

I couldn't be happier with the Mixture I'm running on my 750.
The Depth of the Pilot Mixture Screws that have me Dialed-In sweet is:
7/32nds.
(Seven-thirty-seconds)

Set for Medium Light Brown.
5 Or 6/32nds. Sport High-Power Lean

 

the difference of 2/32 of a inch represents about 1.5 turns on a 6X1 metric screw and 2 turns on a 32 thread/inch standard screw, hardly close enough to set a carb consider that 8 degrees of tuning is about .0007 inches
my eyes ain't quite that good
why not count the turns out from lightly seated like everyone else does?

 

One person's lightly seated is another person's tight seat, and another person's loose seat ... That is the first thought that comes to mind. This gives one an objective measurement which seems far more desirable to me.