diagnosis or a carb for a Cali 3?

[Ogmios]

Amazing how people keep my ph no. for years 'just in case'
Got a call just now from a bloke with a Cali 3 Trike that i met years ago - he's got mobility problems hence the trike - i'd said if i could ever assist, get in touch. His fully faired Bike is the exact same as mine apart from the extra wheel, which is rare.

So here's the problem;
his mechanic cant balance the carbs - suspects an untraceable air leak (really? )

ANYhow,
bottom line is he's looking for a carb.
'Reboot' has already been asked - can only get a s/hand one for... £180
it's a Dellorto PHF 36 pumper
the whole thing seems odd to me - i'd think you could find an air leak
Any suggestions for a carb/parts or - i suspect, a more accurate diagnosis?
TIA.

 

[cookie]

tricky without seeing it, but maybe there's something else wrong with the bike? valve on the way out, say?

he could try the old trick of upping the tickover with the idle screws, disconnect one spark plug lead, then getting a tickover one side at a time. should be achievable, reconnect HT, then turn down the idle screws the same amount (1/4 turn ish).

if one side won't idle, find out why, make it idle. problem solved

he might need to ground out the disconnected HT lead to avoid damage to the ignition units. not sure on that model. i never do on any of mine.

 

[DrFarkoff]

I think I'd be doing a compression test when hot to check if one pot was badly out maybe badly adjusted or damaged valve

The other thing is what was done to the bike prior to needing set up ? and what exhaust is fitted

R100GS with Y pieces are a bitch to set up on tickover sometimes even with cleaned out carbs and decent plugs etc etc

So More info required Herr OG!

Edit Also cleaning carbs may unplug a blocked pathway As it may not be an untraceable air leak it may be a lack of fuel on the tickover circuit

 

[cookie]

of course, we don't know if it wont balance on tickover, or higher up the rev range, or both

 

[ghiribizzo]

Marc - inlet rubbers too...
And you might (not) be surprised at how many 'mechanics' can't balance carbs on a Guzzi or Airhead.

 

[Ogmios]

...
And you might (not) be surprised at how many 'mechanics' can't balance carbs on a Guzzi or Airhead.

The above was actually my first thought.
Trying to help the guy / but difficult from a distance and i DO suspect it may be 'user error'.
short of taking a carb off my own and lending it - i dont really know WTF to do!
... and i am dubious about just handing over a carb for test if the 'mechanic' is this suspect.

i dunno!

 

[cookie]

... and i am dubious about just handing over a carb for test if the 'mechanic' is this suspect.

i dunno!

just don't. you need it.

 

[Ogmios]

just don't. you need it.

A conscience is a terrible thing!
mine's off the road for the foreseeable / his aint / "his need is greater than mine" ...

Aaarrgghhh!

naw - feckit - you ARE right. Thanks reality check appreciated

so,
anyone know of a carb (but i really dont think that's the cure ) for sale?

 

[England-Kev]

parts for dell orto

http://www.dellorto.co.uk/

 

[cookie]

i can't see it being the carb. it might be blocked somewhere, but they always, always respond to cleaning and clear fine IME.

if he's so sure it's the carb, he could confirm by swapping them over. they're handed, but i reckon they'd swap over quite quickly with new fuel pipe

best thing you can do is lend your man a stout length of 2x4. he can hit the mechanic with it.

 

[ghiribizzo]

I'm already thinking (FFS...) trike, so maybe different bars so might do / could do / should do twistgrip cable to splitter (as it's a III not a II) and then aye... So many things.
You could maybe offer to go on an all expenses paid fact finding mission Marc!

 

[ghiribizzo]

Haha Cookie..!

 

[Ogmios]

Cookie,
The 2x4 suggestion is definitely the best so far!

'Upon mature reflection'
i didn't think it made sense to start with.
I'll send him a list of suggestions for parts suppliers. I could offer to have a look - balanced a lot of carbs over the years. but honestly - it sure dont sound right does it?
I'll first politely suggest a local mechanic i know that's very Italian savvy though.

Thanks guys -

 

[gonk]

carbs

i'm sorry but you realy have to be a bit thick if you carn't snyc a pair of carbs,why are you paying twats like that to work on your bike,try setting your points or check your plugs,or try cleaning your carbs,or make shure you got some slack on your cables,all very easy stuff,has to be one of the most simple engines to work on ,

 

[JayC]

i'm sorry but you realy have to be a bit thick if you carn't snyc a pair of carbs,why are you paying twats like that to work on your bike,try setting your points or check your plugs,or try cleaning your carbs,or make shure you got some slack on your cables,all very easy stuff,has to be one of the most simple engines to work on ,

 

[Ogmios]

Right - i've passed on the helpful replies.

Thanks a lot guys. As usual - a mine of information.

~~~
Og