A little more progress. W/pics

if those 26 needles fit, i would think they are a better choice...5 slots of adjustment...no shims....the more carb savvy will know more......

fordtruck wrote:

Thanks for all the compliments! The bodywork was painted by the previous owner. I did all the polishing. I also painted the wheels, brake components, and most everything else that is black.

I just got back from my first ride. She's way lean on the midrange. It idles good and blipping the throttle is crisp. Cruising down the highway it surges and is obviously starving for fuel. If I reach down and pull the choke on it's like flicking a switch. It comes alive. I'm running VM28's with 20 pilots and 120 mains. The needles are non-adjustable. I have one set of shims for the needles. Will this be enough? Can I use two shims if needed? I also have a set of 122.5 mains. Should I put them in yet, or try the shims first?

OMR, I'm taking Larry's advice as the gospel. I did one heat cycle and retorqued the head. After 50 miles I will do it again and change the oil and filter. I have the valves set at max clearance.

VERY nice bike!!!

fordtruck wrote:

Thanks for all the compliments! The bodywork was painted by the previous owner. I did all the polishing. I also painted the wheels, brake components, and most everything else that is black.

I just got back from my first ride. She's way lean on the midrange. It idles good and blipping the throttle is crisp. Cruising down the highway it surges and is obviously starving for fuel. If I reach down and pull the choke on it's like flicking a switch. It comes alive. I'm running VM28's with 20 pilots and 120 mains. The needles are non-adjustable. I have one set of shims for the needles. Will this be enough? Can I use two shims if needed? I also have a set of 122.5 mains. Should I put them in yet, or try the shims first?

OMR, I'm taking Larry's advice as the gospel. I did one heat cycle and retorqued the head. After 50 miles I will do it again and change the oil and filter. I have the valves set at max clearance.

Try a 132 jet. Even if you change needle height, with a 122 main it will still be lean at wide open throttle. It sounds crispy because its lean, but that's no good for power. Having to choke it tells you that. If you want beastly power go bigger on the main. All your problems will go away. Be replaced by a smile.

Sweet... need more pic's!

I'd like to see the rear end, and what you've done with the tail light.

Bad Dad wrote:

Sweet... need more pic's!

I'd like to see the rear end, and what you've done with the tail.

I said the exact same thing to my wife yesterday.

It hit me last night what part of my carb problem is. I wondered why these VM28's had one more vent than the 26's. It's not a vent, it's a vacuum fitting. That's definitely making it run too lean. I'll cap it tomorrow and see how much it improves.

fordtruck wrote:

I have a set of VM26's with adjustable needles. Will those work? I know there are different taper needles, so I'm not sure if I should just shim these or swap to the 26's needles.

YES! Use the needles from the 26mm carbs. They'll be fine. Put the clip on the 4th groove from the top to start and work from there.

BEAUTIFUL BIKE

Good combo is 0-6 needle jets or o-4 with 5dl31 needles.

Splandman wrote:

Bad Dad wrote:

Sweet... need more pic's!

I'd like to see the rear end, and what you've done with the tail.

I said the exact same thing to my wife yesterday.

:laugh: My mind tends to work that way too....

"I said the exact same thing to my wife yesterday."...

What... you guys think it's your birthday? :laugh:

fordtruck wrote:

Baby's got back!!! Do you know what tail light that is?

If I remember correctly it's a Harley Fatbob taillight. I use to tease my Harley buddies that the taillight caused my bike to use oil!