Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech poilot screw adjustment

I recently bought a Tecmate Carbmate and was checking the carb balance on my 04 America and forgot where the synchronization screw was so I went to you tube. There I ran across this guy working on an 02 America and saying that if the idle speeds up when you choke a warm engine, then the idle is set too lean. He kept turning out the pilot screws until I think he got to 7 turns out and his butt dino ride told him this was about right.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lF8DcQwDyA0


So...is the idea that choking a warm engine should not increase the idle speed valid? Is 7 turns out on the pilot screws in an acceptable setting?

My manual says pilot screws should be 1-1/2 turns out and if I remember correctly folks here have said 3 turns out is normal. I believe I set mine 2 turns out back in 2012 when I balanced the carbs with a home made manometer.

BTW, the Carbmate indicated that my carbs were still well balanced almost 8 years later - a tribute to the America's design.

He is an idiot. Pilot screw should be between 1 1/2 and 3 turns out. Any more than 3 turns and you need a larger jet. To adjust properly disconnect one spark plug lead and ground. Turn the idle up just enough to idle on one cylinder.Turn the screw in for the cylinder still connected until it runs rough then back out until it runs rough counting the turns between the 2 points. The correct setting is about 1/2 way between the 2. Repeat for the other side. then reset the idle once both plugs are connected.

I just watched the video he is more of an idiot than I thought. Wire a headlight with no high low beam? Really? What a clown, he should sell his tools.

That video is a spoof, right?

1st issue - I have never adjusted a carb idle using the choke/enrichener as a guide. Ian's method is probably the best way.

2nd issue - If he really had to screw out the idle mixture screws (pilot screws) 7 turns, there is something wrong with his pilot jets/circuit. Either they are partially blocked or way too small.

3rd issue - The bike is already equipped with a headlight cutout relay when starting. No need to take the low beam out. I think, because he is installing an HID bulb which usually only has one light circuit (there isn't a low and high beam), he feels the low beam wiring isn't needed?????? I would never use an HID bulb with only 1 light circuit. HID bulbs often use a solenoid to move the filament forward/back to give low/high beam illusion. If the bulb fails, low and high are both lost instantly, leaving you in the dark. Also, HID bulbs in a "stock" reflector put more light into the heavens than on the road blinding oncoming traffic.

Thank god for you guys and this (the old ) site!!. I would have been the video idiot without all the support here.
Still LOVE my 05 America !