Mikuni problem

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Dennis is right , but any good tech will know what you mean when discussing Mikuni ... I will also note that the Mikuni troubles were correctly identified within the first 2 responses .... which is pretty good ....
Craig
 
Fast Eddie said:
xxGraham said:

Actually, normal silicone is dissolved by petrol, so is a poor choice in this application.

It's sounds like at least one of your surfaces is not flat. If they are flat, and a correct gasket is used, it will seal. Adding some petrol proof sealant will doubly ensure it seals.

There is no more to it than that IMHO.

Of course I insured that the manifold sealing surface was flat by rubbing it on fine grit sandpaper on a flat glass surface. The rubber piece which mounts a Mikuni to the manifold doesn't come with a gasket, but rather is it's own gasket. Am I the first to have such an air leak? Is it just, "add some sealant"? I'm ok with that as a textbook solution, but think Mikuni would have engineered something better.
 
lazyeye6 said:
Fast Eddie said:
xxGraham said:

Actually, normal silicone is dissolved by petrol, so is a poor choice in this application.

It's sounds like at least one of your surfaces is not flat. If they are flat, and a correct gasket is used, it will seal. Adding some petrol proof sealant will doubly ensure it seals.

There is no more to it than that IMHO.

Of course I insured that the manifold sealing surface was flat by rubbing it on fine grit sandpaper on a flat glass surface. The rubber piece which mounts a Mikuni to the manifold doesn't come with a gasket, but rather is it's own gasket. Am I the first to have such an air leak? Is it just, "add some sealant"? I'm ok with that as a textbook solution, but think Mikuni would have engineered something better.

In that case sir, I suggest a crack or split in your rubber manifold is your gremlin here.
 
xxGraham said:
Wooooooohoooooooo , Sorted , looks like i have to eat my hat ( damm idle jet) :roll: , fortunately i dont have one :D

I have plenty...

Pilot jet, idle jet, slow jet...Let's keep PC off this forum.
 
RoadScholar said:
xxGraham said:
Wooooooohoooooooo , Sorted , looks like i have to eat my hat ( damm idle jet) :roll: , fortunately i dont have one :D

I have plenty...

Pilot jet, idle jet, slow jet...Let's keep PC off this forum.

If you are referring to my comments on the terminology, I only made the comment because an earlier poster made a point of correcting "pilot" to "idle". Quite frankly it is confusing to use the wrong terminology, because some with less experience do not always understand the difference. If they are trying to follow the Mukuni manual they won't find the term "Idle" used except for engine speed not as a "part" of the carb. If this forum is to help others, then you are making that impossible because you know more than others and thus call it politically incorrect when someone tries to clarify what is written.
 
dennisgb said:
RoadScholar said:
xxGraham said:
Wooooooohoooooooo , Sorted , looks like i have to eat my hat ( damm idle jet) :roll: , fortunately i dont have one :D

I have plenty...

Pilot jet, idle jet, slow jet...Let's keep PC off this forum.

If you are referring to my comments on the terminology, I only made the comment because an earlier poster made a point of correcting "pilot" to "idle". Quite frankly it is confusing to use the wrong terminology, because some with less experience do not always understand the difference. If they are trying to follow the Mukuni manual they won't find the term "Idle" used except for engine speed not as a "part" of the carb. If this forum is to help others, then you are making that impossible because you know more than others and thus call it politically incorrect when someone tries to clarify what is written.

My goal was to raise a bit of humor; a lot of noise in the political realms in the US lately bounce the terms "PC" and "on message" around, sorry if I struck a nerve, not my intention. An English teacher I had warned that humor could be colorful, but more often would backfire on the writer; I'll put that advice closer to the frontal lobes...

My bigger point, and I apologize for not making it more clear, is that insisting that one form of nomenclature is the only correct means of communication may be appropriate in a court of law, but not here; this is clearly a multi-cultural forum.

Last week I had a Haynes manual open to clarify the position of a part on a BSA Victor, I noticed that the back page of the manual was dedicated to translating British motorcycle terms into American motorcycle terms. For me part of the "fullness" of the experience is to know all the terms; not nearly as difficult as being multi-lingual, but similar.

Wrist pin, piston pin, gudgeon pin amazing that they are interchangeable terms. So, if you want a pilot jet, slow jet, idle jet or a small jet call me I'll know what you want and I'll explain how to get at it and what other conditions to look for...
 
I don't feel like you struck a nerve as much as I am concerned that things be clear for those with less knowledge and experience. There is just so much incorrect information out there. It was particulary concerning to me when another poster corrected "Pilot" to "Idle" as if the pilot term was incorrect. There is no reason to do that. That was totally inappropriate. I would have said nothing had that not happened. Too many people think that their way "is" the correct way and there is nothing else even when they are wrong. In reality, and in this case there are multiple terms that can be used but there is only one term that is used by Mikuni. I have no issue with people using other terminolgy, I just don't think it's appropriate to tell people they are wrong when they use a different terminology from what they feel is right. This creates confusion. Particularly in this case - when the manufacturer calls it "Pilot" and not "Idle".

Your post using all the terms with the "PC" comment seemed to brush it off and make light of the importance of clarifying things...and essentially squashed the entire point of my original post. That supports the mis-information and the poster that corrected the Mikuni terminology incorrectly. It may seem like a totally stupid point to you, but that is why it is so difficult for those trying to learn to figure it out.

You may want everyone to come to you for their parts and you'll get them what they want. Good for you. The truth is, everyone is not going to come to you. Give them a chance to figure it out...then maybe they will learn all the terms and carry things on after you and I are no longer around. Your approach says...the hell with them...I know the answer.
 
I think that you have misunderstood "my approach". My approach acknowledges the differences in nomenclature, encourages dialog and seeks to further the learning of the various, seeming confusing, terms. The Mikuni parts book is being consistent when it describes the smallest fuel metering jet as the pilot jet; the Harley parts books describes the same part, on the Keihan CVK carbs, as the slow jet, even if the Keihan parts book calls them a pilot jet. On the Mikuni 34mm VM carb (36 and 38 as well) , common in 2-->1 conversions for Norton motorcycles there are only 4 jets (pilot, main, needle and air correction), also known by other names; talk about confusion?

I have customers that refer to parts as "the thingy" that does this or that; it can take a while to drill down to find common ground. You are, however, totally correct in referring to the part, in question, as a (the) pilot jet, very few vendors will question your choice of nomenclature. I am, simply, saying that many different parts have many different names/designations. I'd also say that it is up to the customer to question any differences and benefit from the new gained knowledge, and the new (correct) part.

My approach is to make a satisfied customer that comes back, I hope you'll give me the opportunity to prove that to you some day.
 
RoadScholar said:
I think that you have misunderstood "my approach". My approach acknowledges the differences in nomenclature, encourages dialog and seeks to further the learning of the various, seeming confusing, terms.

RoadScholar said:
I have plenty...

Pilot jet, idle jet, slow jet...Let's keep PC off this forum
.

I think not. :shock:
 
Fast Eddie said:
I suggest a crack or split in your rubber manifold is your gremlin here.
Agreed. As you noted, the Mikuni carb adapter has its own "built-in" gasket already vulcanized to its face. Its heart is a slab of aluminum, so (supposedly), the screws will bring metal to metal before the slab warps. It makes a dandy sealing arrangement! However, they are not completely immune to both ethanol and the elements. Also, they weren't really intended to support the entire weight of the carb and air filter. Add the unhindered fore and aft shake of the Norton engine, and that rubber will eventually fail.
Pull the adapter out, remove its steel band clamp, and attempt to "roll" the rubber mount into the opening, checking for circumferential cracks along the edge of the clamp area. 'Pretty common failure in older adapters.

Nathan
 
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