For the technically gullible, or those that believe in miracle fuel pills-don't buy any magic beans just yet....
Ethanol-blended fuels, and their use and effect on motorcycle engines.
Q: Can you synchronize carburetors off the bike? I've been told that many guys can do this when they rebuild carbs. THis doesn't quite sound right....is it?
Q: Also, most manuals state that you are supposed to set the engine idle between 950 and 1050 rpm. Is there a way to sync the carbs with a higher idle setting? It just seems to me that the idle speed shouldn’t make any difference when syncing the carbs?
A: It is impossible to accurately synchronize your carbs on-the-bench! And synchronizing the carbs at idle (950-1050 rpm) is the only way to go. Here is why.....
As we all know-platinum spark plugs are the current “must have” for many motorcycle enthusiasts. Platinum is validly promoted as the best material because it has many distinct advantages over pervious spark plug conductors. Namely, it offers superior durability. It is this excellent resistance to heat-induced corrosion (thermal degradation), which makes it such a great choice for electrical use.
As I continue to comb through the internet archives of age-old “Tech Tips” I am always amazed at the prolific information regarding leaking fork seals, and the many methods that have been developed to repair them. What I often wonder to myself is “Does anyone ever think to do anything (proactive) to prevent this? What I mean is that with good preventative maintenance, (namely changing fork fluid), it is entirely possible to prevent this type of damage from occurring in the first place. By my own observations I’d say that fork seal repairs take place more often than fork oil replacement! So to help those here who have never thought about why and how this type of effort might prove beneficial, I will rely on my background in petroleum fluids to explain the details.