Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125724
HINTS AND'TIPS In By Rod Breaker .,. .. > :;: HONDA 450cc CARBURETOR STRIP ~ By Rod Breaker One advantage that seems to go with the CV type carb such as used Z on the 450 Honda is the fact that they stay relatively clean. By that, I W ..J mean externally, of course all carbs have a tendency to get acky·pucky in C,) > them once in a while. Whether it be from foreign materials in the tank C,) that were able to get through the filter or maybe just a bad batch of gasoline. If it has to becleaned'out, many riders are reluctant to attempt the job themselves. The truth of the matter is that it is a simple job mostly because they seldom need 'boiling out' to clean them up, but just the application of some compressed air will do the job. First, one has to disassemble the carb to a point where all the orfices and passageways are clear to blow out with the compressed air, otHer than that, there is not much to it. For this strip, I have used one of the early model 450 carbs to point out to any rider who may have these that tney do have one weak spot that is prone to damage. This is the idle air screw that is located where it must be 'adjusted from the bottom, it must be adjusted with great care. As all the manuals tell you to screw it in as far as it will go and then back it out, if it is bottomed too hard by a ham-fisted rider, it will open its seat in the carb body itself and a smooth tickover will be almost impossible to obtain. This weakness has been cured on the later models where the idle air adjustment screw comes in from the side. If you decide you want to attempt it, here are some photos to help you along. w 2.1 To remove the throttle slide, take out the ~wo phillips screw holding the slide chamber. fhis chamber and the top of the throttle slide ue a critical mach ine fit, take care not to jamage either one. 3.1 While problems with the jet needle are rare, if it must be removed, ball point pen 4.) Ga to the bottom of the carb and pop the wire clip forward and the float chamber will points at the drilled hole in the slide which come off, if not, tap it lightly with the handle contains the set screw that secures it. of the screwdriver. 8.1 You will have to use a rather small 5.) Using a small nail or similar object, push out the float hinge pin and take away the pin, float and lbe float needle. Check the needle 6.) Deepest reaching jet is the main jet, use a' tor possible wear at the point where it strikes the seat, well with compresse.d air to assure there is no flat·bladed screvvdriver to remove it. Blowout possible block811e. h~~~ 7.) Adjacent to the main jet is what looks like a jet that someone failed to drill the hole in, remove th is for beneath it Iies the idle jet. screwdriver to remove the idle iet. Always use compressed air to clean jets, never use a piece of wire of anything that could harm the jet orfice. 12.) With this float level gauge from Honda, the gas should start to flow past the float needle the moment the gauge is moved away from the body even the ·slightest. For those .wishing to make their own gauge, the distance 10.) Remove the Idle Air adjustment screw, as between the bottom of the float and the rim you can see here, it is located on the bottom 11.) Blowout all the orfices and passageways 9.) Needle jet is located beneath the main jet, of the carb, this is the style that I spoke of thoroughly, and then reassemble the carbo It when cleaning it, make sure the holes in the earlier where great care must be taken when must be assembled on the machine and the side are all open. adjusting. fuel lines hooked up to check the 1I'0at level. ( "" HOLD 'ER RIGHT THERE . ',- ~...... ,'"~:)\' .-... J Pit with )11 I. . . INSTANT GATORADE~ THIRST QUENCHER Instant dry mix Gatorade is now carried by Webco Inc. The convenience of the dry mix package makes it possible to store Gatorade thirst Quencher easily and indefinitely. Packaged in two ounce envelopes, which make a full quart of this remarkable drink. A compact carton contains six envelopes of powedered dry-mix Gatorade thirst quencher. Mix it when you want it, on the road or between races. Webco Inc., P.O. Box 429, Venice, Cal. 90291 Anew device to keep your motorcycle from being stolen is now avaYable. The unit operates on two penligh t ba Iteries and emits an ear.piercing shriek when tripped. The unit is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and is designed to be concealed under the seat or any other inconspicuous place. Trip mechanism consists of a thin nylon cord with a hook attached to one end and an arming pin on the other. The pin is inserted in a of the float chamber as the one shown here being used for measuring, is 20 millimeters. Remember to sincronize your carbs so that they both open at exactly the same time. jack on the side of the alarm. Pulling it out sets off the alarm. When your bike must be left unattended, connect the hook to one of the wheel spokes. If the bike is moved more than a few inches, the alarm sounds. The alarm will shout for 30 minutes or until the arming pin is re-inserted. The UCyclann" as it is called, comes with mounting instructions, hardware, and an extra arming pin for your key-ehain. It's only $6.95 from M&P Products, P.O. Box 474, Reseda, Calif. 91335_ Mention you saw it in Cycle News. 1""""""""""""""""" II n III . I' I I KAWASAK'I1 -I 11UII I I I I 1'629S.E.~~CO'S Motorcycles...... _1 all 1971 models available for immediate delivery! Ii Santa Ana, Ca. 543-9688 I """",...,..,~ .... " " " " " " , .cu• • " ....