Carb Question

[cl65ame]

My bike is running fine but I pulled the plugs yesterday to have a look as I am planning a long trim at the end of the month. The plugs indicate that I am running lean on both cylinders. There has been no modifications to the intake or exhaust, all stock. The pilots have been turned out to between 3 and 3.5 turns already to eliminate afterfire.
I know these things are lean from the factory and the lean condition has crept up somewhat because at the last plug change they were a nice light brown. now they are grey in colour but not white.
I have added a can of seafoam to this tank of gas hoping it may just be a clogged jet. If that fails I will remove and clean the carbs.
Any othe suggestions beside the obvious rejet?

[jimnfor]

Originally Posted by cl65ame

My bike is running fine but I pulled the plugs yesterday to have a look as I am planning a long trim at the end of the month. The plugs indicate that I am running lean on both cylinders. There has been no modifications to the intake or exhaust, all stock. The pilots have been turned out to between 3 and 3.5 turns already to eliminate afterfire.
I know these things are lean from the factory and the lean condition has crept up somewhat because at the last plug change they were a nice light brown. now they are grey in colour but not white.
I have added a can of seafoam to this tank of gas hoping it may just be a clogged jet. If that fails I will remove and clean the carbs.
Any othe suggestions beside the obvious rejet?

If it isn't broke, don't fix it. Just my .02 Run the Seafoam if you want, but I wouldn't pull the carbs just because of the plugs.
Don't overthink it.

[number13]

Possibly a dirty or restricted air cleaner?

[Scrapdog2grand]

Originally Posted by cl65ame

My bike is running fine but I pulled the plugs yesterday to have a look as I am planning a long trim at the end of the month. The plugs indicate that I am running lean on both cylinders. There has been no modifications to the intake or exhaust, all stock. The pilots have been turned out to between 3 and 3.5 turns already to eliminate afterfire.
I know these things are lean from the factory and the lean condition has crept up somewhat because at the last plug change they were a nice light brown. now they are grey in colour but not white.
I have added a can of seafoam to this tank of gas hoping it may just be a clogged jet. If that fails I will remove and clean the carbs.
Any othe suggestions beside the obvious rejet?

Sounds like a good plan, aside from some loose carb boots or an emmision related item possibly creating a vacuum leak.

[Earthling789]

Running "more" lean than normal... only two situations possible (assuming all stock, and nothing changed/moved/adjusted)... lessened fuel or excess air.

My money on on excess air... start at the air-cleaner, then check carb boots, etc. A little shot of WD-40 around the area will help pinpoint it unless the air-cleaner is the obvious point of failure. My "leaner than normal" issue was corrected by simply replacing the badly worn/damaged air-filter with a new one...

If you're getting a fuel issue, clogged jet "could" be possible and a bit of sea-foam may do the trick.

Either way, inspect and eliminate the obvious and "easy-fixes" first, BEFORE you start tearing things apart. Been there, done that... not much fun to have things torn into a million pieces and suddenly realize your issue was insanely simple (and cheap) to fix.

[93gc40]

Don't know where you live. But assuming you live in the US. There is likly to be alcohol in your gas, LEAN. You added Seafoam, or any additive, LEAN for a tank or two. As you said the bike was built LEAN. If you run mid or premium grade gas, there are More additives, LEAN. Then there are the maintenance related causes of Lean.

[cza888]

Originally Posted by 93gc40

Don't know where you live. But assuming you live in the US. There is likly to be alcohol in your gas, LEAN. You added Seafoam, or any additive, LEAN for a tank or two. As you said the bike was built LEAN. If you run mid or premium grade gas, there are More additives, LEAN. Then there are the maintenance related causes of Lean.

+1 ^^this^^

I agree with starting with the easy stuff first. Try to find a gas station that sells 100% gasoline and run a few tanks through....

[93gc40]

On the REJETTING thought.... Unless the jets are dirty or damaged they are not the "cause" of your issue. Rejetting can benifit a stock bike, if done correctly and for the right reasons. But except in a few situations, it won't be part of the repair. Fix the issue BEFORE you rejet, NOT after or as part of the repairs.

[adlowe]

So when did you pull the plugs? Just walk out into the garage and throw a cold wrench on cold plugs to check the condition of a bike that's running fine?

Originally Posted by cl65ame

Any othe suggestions beside the obvious rejet?

Yeah. Put the plugs back in the bike and leave everything alone.

Rejets are NOT "obvious" in a bike that is "running fine" -- not ever. The only obvious thing about re-jetting carbs is that a very large number of Shadow owners lust after the opportunity to muck up their carbs, increase their cost for fuel and gain maybe a few % more horsepower from a bike that doesn't have much anyway.

[Scrapdog2grand]

[QUOTE=cl65ame;1363358] now they are grey in colour but not white.[QUOTE]

Actually, I missed this part. grey is just fine.