That's lean. Quite lean.

 

Can I solve this just by filing off the mixture screw tab, or would this be a more complicated fix? Also what's the fastest/easiest way to file it off?

 

Did you re-jet your carb after you installed the exhaust pipes? If I was guessing by the looks of the plug I'd say no, but you need to though. Usually one size larger on the main does it, sometimes the slow jet needs to go up a size also.

 

No I didn't re-jet it. The bike came with the exhaust already on it when I bought it. It was practically brand new so there was only some blueing near the heads which I assumed normal. So if it is the original jet what size should I pop in?

 

Well, that precludes the easiest fix. (use the OE exhaust and intake)

The pilot screw only slightly adjusts the air fuel mix at idle. At engine speeds above idle it gets in to carb circuitry. You will probably have to up size the pilot jet, the main jet and shim the needle to get a richer mix across the entire carb range.
What size exactly on each jet will be somewhat of a trial and error process.

 

I had a feeling the answer to this one wasn't going to be a simple single reply...

 

i cant really see the pic of the plug but it looks rich to me. Are those pipes single walled?

 

There are enough people on the forum with jardine exhaust that have re-jetted their carbs you could find out what they used and probably get really close to what you need. Hopefully one or some of those people will chime in and offer you some suggestions. But starting from scratch without knowing what someone else has done they usually say buy the next 3 sizes up on your jets and go from there.

 

B-rock, I enlarged the photo of the plug to look at it. The insulator is white.

 

Thanks BG I couldnt get the pic large enough to see the tip. To the OP I used a 40 pilot, 145 main, 2 shims on the needle and the AFM turned out 2.5 heavy. This worked well for me and could be a starting point for you. I also have pod filter.....

 

Thanks guys,
after lurking about on here through older posts it seems that a number of people have done different things. I've noticed some that only shimmed, while others only re-jetted, and some that did both... I guess I'll start by shimming since I can pick up the #4 washer on my way home tomorrow. Can anyone recommend a site I can order jets from?

 

Keihin jets and carburetor parts main, slow and pilot

 

That is an awful lot of blue on the pipes and white on the plug....you are surly running lean.
I have done extensive rejetting with the Jardines and your problem is MOST likely an undersized slow jet.
Pull the carb, check the number of the jet stamped into the jet and try going up one size.
PS-make sure that if you rejet, you use the Keihin brand slow jet as other brands are NOT the same orifice sizes (very important).
The tab on the idle adjust screw can be cut off with a side cutter as it is very soft metal, that will give you the extra idle adjustment you are looking for.

 

Thanks guys,
Yeah, UB I cleaned it the carb back in August and it sounded fine right afterwards without much backfiring at all (I'm wondering if the jets are partially clogged since then). Then it seemed like all of a sudden one of the exhaust pipes discolored out of nowhere. I've got a fuel line filter that on the way and hopefully that will help too. This forum has been a great spot for finding info and really getting to understand the ins and outs of my rebel!

 

Question: Is there any way to get rid of that discoloration?

 

There are some things out there like bluejob, blue off, etc... I've never used them, but my inclination is that they are mediocre at best, besides I bought it to ride not for looks. And it looks like my class for tonight is cancelled so now I can pull the carb, maybe shim the needle, and find out what jets I need to order instead of waiting till midweek.

 

B-Rock where did you get your chrome battery cover? Now that I've got my carb out I'm thinking I might as well put the order in for a pod filter and take the airbox off too. Is your air filter custom or did you order that from somewhere as well?

 

B-Rock where did you get your chrome battery cover?

85-87 Rebels came with the chrome battery cover as OE.

The second gen bikes use a different battery.
That a look at the two parts fiche drawings

 

Thanks BG, thats pretty much what I've found scouring the internet this morning... I did see a few customs that had pod filters with the plastic cover from the later model completely removed, but it looked like they lived in sunny california or a desert climate suburb where rain and other hazards were not very prevalent. I however, live in New England and the city. Maybe time to learn some customization skills.

 

Pulled out the jets this evening. THe pilot was in there a bit tight and part of it got broken in trying to get it out, not a bit deal since I was planning on changing it anyway. It just means I have to wait a little longer to ride again. The pilot was a 38 and the main a 108. In my large service manual it says the main jet should be a 110 & the pilot a 35, I wonder if this is why its running so lean...
Secondly; is shimming the needle like changing the pilot jet or does it affect something different altogether?
Third; how do I know which jet to buy there are all these different models that look similar on the page...

 

The needle affects a different part of the throttle response.

 

Take a look at this pic.
It shows the ranges where the various circuits in the carb are used.
You canb see that the needle and the nozzle in slide in and out of are responsible for most of the range between 1/4 and 3/4 throttle.

 

Yes, I was definitely keeping that in mind. However, I'm putting that off until a further date. I actually need to get my rebel back up and running asap so the less tinkering & variables the better for now. I ordered a few different jets (a 40 Pilot and a 110 & 112 main) and I have a few washers from the hardware store so I think that should give me enough room to at least get the bike running closer to where it's supposed to be. I did notice online that it says the the stock jets are a #38 & #108, but in my large honda 250 manual it says they should be #35 & #110.

 

just an FYI you will only be able to put two washers on the needle and still get the lock nut back on.

 

Depends on how thick the washers you got from the hardware store are too. Not all are created equally. The ones from microfasteners, etc. (for example) are usually much thinner. Good luck.

 

I had a tricky time just getting one on there. I picked up 2 steel ones the other day, and I'm betting they're on the larger side since I had such a tricky time getting the screw back on with just one washer around the needle.