05-08-14, 06:04 PM
For ages the bike's been lumpy at what are probably pilot jet speeds. Judders/ snatches at small throttle openings, whatever the gear. Whack it open however and all is ok. I asked the local (scooter) shop to balance carbs, after I'd changed plugs, which they did. They said there was nothing wrong with it anyway and it was going fine. For me, it went exactly as before. They agreed to take another look, a week later. Again, nothing wrong with it. Narked, I took it for a second opinion to a shop further away run by a couple of old-school guys who'd impressed me before. Nope. nothing wrong with it, though they'd tweaked the balance a tad. Didn't charge me either, BTW. Going home, it might have been marginally better than before until, revving hard, it got much worse, like a fouled plug. Changed the plug that seemed fouled, no change. Running out of experts to take it too, I finally decided I'd best take a look myself. While removing the carbs, I spotted a needle and spring just resting on the crankcase below the carbs. WTF? Probably just mislaid or something by a mechanic. Anyway, while removing bowls etc I noticed that one carb was missing its PILOT needle!!!! Nothing there at all, presumably explaining the sudden deterioration in performance. Presumably it had been slowly working its way out all along. I feel so smug. My bike was NOT going fine. Now, do I need to get a new o ring for it? I imagine this is what will stop it vibrating out again. Do i need to get a whole pilot jet kit (£20 approx)? Any views?
