Color tune

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Foxy

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Anyone used one of these? http://www.carbtune.co.uk/colortune.html
Color tune

Its a spark plug with a glass top you can adapt to any carb motor, run engine and see what color the flame is inside the combustion chamber, then fine tune carbs to correct mixture.
 
I've tried, without success. Perhaps my eyes just aren't sensitive enough to color changes, but I can go from way lean to way rich and back and detect only the slightest of color changes. Can't fine-tune that way.
 
I use to use that on my Interstate. First learn to use it on my MG with those SU carbs. I like it and as soon as I get a chance I'll see what it does on the Norton.
 
I`ve used it quite often ! but its mainly for idle situations not when the motor is under duress (i mean working or revving) but all in all a good guide nothing more !
 
swooshdave said:
I use to use that on my Interstate. First learn to use it on my MG with those SU carbs. I like it and as soon as I get a chance I'll see what it does on the Norton.
Click to expand...
Will you post a video of that Dave please?
 
speirmoor said:
swooshdave said:
I use to use that on my Interstate. First learn to use it on my MG with those SU carbs. I like it and as soon as I get a chance I'll see what it does on the Norton.
Click to expand...
Will you post a video of that Dave please?
Click to expand...

Was there ever any question that's there wouldn't be a video?
 
I have used one on idle mixture, as one of my previous posts.
It is spot on.
 
Hello,

The color tune plug would miss in whatever size I put it in. I think my original Lucas coils don't put out enough juice to jump the gap, or the recessed plug isn't firing the mixture as reliably as the extended nose plugs. It would fire on every other compression stroke or so.

-Eric
 
swooshdave said:
speirmoor said:
swooshdave said:
I use to use that on my Interstate. First learn to use it on my MG with those SU carbs. I like it and as soon as I get a chance I'll see what it does on the Norton.
Click to expand...
Will you post a video of that Dave please?
Click to expand...

Was there ever any question that's there wouldn't be a video?
Click to expand...
You the man!
 
Thanks for the replies, Im not yet convinced to rush out and buy one! Its a nifty gadget alright to look in side the combustion chamber whilst idling, mmm...!
 
blaisestation said:
I`ve used it quite often ! but its mainly for idle situations not when the motor is under duress (i mean working or revving) but all in all a good guide nothing more !
Click to expand...

Why don't you use it when revving? With no load (just sitting) you can use the Colortune at any rev.
 
swooshdave said:
I use to use that on my Interstate. First learn to use it on my MG with those SU carbs. I like it and as soon as I get a chance I'll see what it does on the Norton.
Click to expand...

I bought mine around 15 years ago for a Triumph TR6, car, with twin SU carbs. Worked well enough to get the car to pass the smog test first time. It works fine to set the idle mixture on the Commando, but for me it's easier to set that the way the manuel suggests.
 
O2 sensor is way more usefull ,also way more expensive, when using O2 sensor you see why MIKUNI make so many needles and needle jet configurations.
 
As I remember the directions say not to rev it up because the glass could pop out. Thanks for posting about these things. I forgot I have one somewhere around here and could sure use it on my Matchless single right about now. Useful for resetting the idle after a carb has been resleeved. They were a good deal on eBay when I got one a few years ago. Mine was new but maybe 20 year old stock.

EDIT - Found my Colortune 500 and read the directions but there was nothing about running at high RPM, however none of the tests they mention are done with the engine at high RPM. I do seem to remember reading about this though... Never mind....hate to start an Internet myth.

Was really stuck to the foam inside the case and had a devil of a time taking it out.
 
"Bunsen blue" they call it.

Orange is too rich. Just like a Bunsen burner.
 
batrider said:
As I remember the directions say not to rev it up because the glass could pop out. Thanks for posting about these things. I forgot I have one somewhere around here and could sure use it on my Matchless single right about now. Useful for resetting the idle after a carb has been resleeved. They were a good deal on eBay when I got one a few years ago. Mine was new but maybe 20 year old stock.

EDIT - Found my Colortune 500 and read the directions but there was nothing about running at high RPM, however none of the tests they mention are done with the engine at high RPM. I do seem to remember reading about this though... Never mind....hate to start an Internet myth.

Was really stuck to the foam inside the case and had a devil of a time taking it out.
Click to expand...

http://www.carbtune.co.uk/colortune.html

Color tune
 
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