cheap carb syncing tool

[ThomasMagna]

I picked up a '75 kz400d off ebay and it needs a lot of  work. I found a Kawi forum and came across this link for a homemade sync tool. What do you folks think of this?

http://www.powerchutes.com/manometer.asp

[Curtis_Valk]

That'll work fine Thomas.  The best thing is you can roll it up and take it with you when you find some guys up there to wrench with.  Good luck!

Curtis

[ThomasMagna]

Thanks Curtis,

I thought that it would be okay. I just love the simplicity of the set-up. Sometimes less is more. I like the thought of finding some wrenching partners, but so far I haven't found any. My friends that ride are to scared to work on their own bikes yet. The guy down the street freaked because I was taking off my rear wheel, "Man, you're gonna have things flying out of there and won't know where they go." He thought the shaft drive parts would fall out and who knows what else.

Last thing I heard from him after he saw my wheel off and back on with a new tire was, "Maybe I'll do mine." We shall see what happens. One day I would like to get down there and meet all the foks and wrench a little.

[Curtis_Valk]

Yep, simple is sometimes better.  On good thing about instruments that use simple physics is they require no calibration to assure they are accurate.  As far as I know the natural laws have not changed much LOL.

Keep being an inspiration to your friends who don't wrench.  We had a couple of guys ride up from Houston for our session yesterday and I'm sure they were able to take knowledge back with them to share with the group down there.

Curtis

[Aurox]

Just have to tell this story:

Was just reading this tidbit on the homemade manometer and my wife came in to the computer and said 'What are you reading?'  I explained that it was a poor man's manometer used for synchornizing your carbs.  She was very confused and I finally got it out of her that she was thinking of carbohydrates not carburators, and she did not know that she needed to synchronize her carbs.

Was funny to me.  Hope it was worth a chuckle to a few of you also.

[Curtis_Valk]

Hook 'er up, it couldn't hurt!!!

Curtis

[bgayler]

Hey Thomas,
I wish I had seen this before I spent $69.95 for a MotionPro Sync Stick(which is still unused). I'm about to pull the carbs off my 88 and send them to Andrew @ Classic Cycles in Lewisville for a complete (and long needed) rebuild. I bought the Sync Stick when I thought my carbs were out of sync and discovered that they need professional attention. If I remember correctly, I recall Greg and some others saying that if the carbs are adjusted correctly on the Bench, a Sync tool is not necessary. Am I right about that? If so, how do you tell if they're adjusted properly on the bench? Remember, keep it simple. I still have trouble operating a ball point pen.

[ThomasMagna]

BIll,

I couldn't tell you but I know someone will. I am new to the game of wrenching. I could tell you all I know and it would be less than nothing. That will change as I move along on the KZ. The manual just came and I can get on with it. Figured a couple things out. I have to figure out where to start.

Actually I have learned a lot off the site. I'm glad to have found this site. Nice people and plenty of knowledge.

[bgayler]

Thomas,
In a past life I was a Drag Racer. When it came to wrenching on a car, basic tools were usually enough and plenty of people had experience in auto mechanics. Bikes are a different world, often requiring special tools and past experience. Most old time bike mechanics are Harley experienced and Metric mechanics tend to be in their early 20's. Finding someone with knowledge of repairs to a 20 year old bike is a challenge. When I was younger, I would take any challenge. Some things I fixed and sometimes I had a pile of parts. Hopefully older and wiser, I now try to just wade in chest deep. When I buy parts that recommend a certified mechanic install them I know that they are not talking about me. I admire you for taking the challenge and I too appreciate the members of this organization for their eagerness to assist.
Thanks again Everyone.

[roboto65]

Well as Greg has said as long as you don't tear them completely down as in seperate the carbs the sync will be close enough it has to do with the butterflys opening together and allowing the same amount of air/fuel mixture in just make sure your idle mix screws are the same if you are staying stock and just rebuilding then go with the manuel settings on the mixture screws but it really isn't nessesary....  But it might be different on the KZ being inline four it might be worth it because they are easy to get to hehehehehe

[bgayler]

Hi Allen,
Are the TOWBOATS parked this week?
When you had the wrench session at your place I really wanted to attend but the weather was so bad, I was sure you had cancelled. I didn"t Know Bikers were like Golfers and immune to weather.

[Kyle]

That looks like it will do just fine.  I like the price, and the simplisity.  Anyone can use it.
I would like to find some Magna owners to wrench with in the North Austin/Round Rock area?  Any takers?

[roboto65]

Not parked heheh but we will be in the shipyard for a little engine room paint hehehe.. As soon as we get Mootmag in the books look for another wrench session at the house maybe we will have better luck this time....
Have to find someones bike to work on I am sure someone needs something done to there bike...  Any takers!!!!!

[ThomasMagna]

The best thing about the KZ is that I would love to get it going and on the road, but it isn't an imperitive. I love to learn stuff and this is my home school. I may end up like Bill and have a pile of parts which might not be all that bad, scrap steel prices have gone sky high lately. I will come out of the experience a bit smarter, I hope, and wiser. At 59 years old, I better start getting wiser soon.

I am a long way from getting to the carbs but saw that tool and just had to post it. The carbs are still tied together and hanging over the bike where the gas tank goes. The first problem is the broken gearshift shaft and then putting stuff together to see if it will run.

speaking of gas tanks, does anyone know how to get a good sized dent out of one and is there a coating that works for the inside? It is pretty rusty.

Thanks

[Aurox]

What KZ are you working on?

I have one in my garage also.  Might be some parts would work for you.