Balancing carbs

[The Disapproving Brit]

My engine is 'not quite right' - it's running rich, idling too low, and taking too long for revs to die off, which from what I gather, calls for a carb clean and balance as a starting point. I've had a read up and think I know the gist of how to go about doing this. Just one question - for a 4 valve carb, do I need the 4 set of vacuum gauges, or can I just use the one and move it from carb to carb? For the sake of the £30 difference, does it make more sense just to get the 4 set anyway?
____________________
Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[Ichy]

You need a minimum of two to allow you to balance as pairs. Two left, two right, middle two. You really should check the air filter and check and adjust the valves first.

I think you need to read a bit more before you attempt it
____________________
https://www.metacafe.com/watch/1972097/how_to_behave_on_a_forum/

[andym]

All you need is a few meters of 5mm plastic tubing and some fork oil (or other thick liquid), probably cost a couple of quid for the tubing

[The Disapproving Brit]

Oil filter and air filter are both being replaced as part of the same job. 2 gauges takes the difference to about a tenner, so I might as well plump for the 4 set. Bike is off the road for a while until all the issues are sorted, so I've got a bit of time to iron out any gaps in my knowledge.
____________________
Current Bikes: 1983 Honda VF400FD / 2003 Honda VT750 Shadow
Bike Test Passed 18/03/09, Car Test Passed 14/05/13

[The Disapproving Brit]

[whitedevil]

[Ariel Badger]

They are called " manometers" and are far more accurate than a man made pressure gauge ( especially if the man that made them lives in China) as they work on the principle of pure physics not man's mistakes.
Google "manometers".

Edit..... Beat me to it!
____________________
Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[johnsmith222]

personally, I appreciate the ability of seeing all 4 levels at the same time and for me it is worth the extra money for a tool I should have for life.

I'd recommend the morgan carbtune.

[Fizzer Thou]

I have owned a set of four gauges for many years and need little or no maintenance apart from taking care not to knock or drop them.No fiddling around with Mercury.
If the gauges look like this

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Workshop/Picture561.jpg

Then the carbs need balancing to something like this

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Workshop/Picture566.jpg

While performing this operation I use an external fuel supply

https://i666.photobucket.com/albums/vv23/WiNot_Rhencullen/Workshop/Picture564.jpg

Works a treat
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[johnsmith222]

[lihp]

[The Disapproving Brit]

[lihp]

I'd also be inclined to set the idle mixture screws back to factory if it's an idle issue/easy to stall
____________________
covent.gardens: lihp is my most favourite member ever

[The Disapproving Brit]

[gavbriggs]

Rather than balance the tank somewhere on the bike, would it not be common sense to just buy a length of fuel line and an inline filter. Then the tank can go somewhere more secure?

[The Shaggy D.A.]

[Fizzer Thou]

This ebay product is very similar to what I utilise

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/NEW-AUXILIARY-SPARE-FUEL-TANK-ENGINE-TUNING-GASGAS-MOTOCROSS-ENDURO-TRIALS-/190812332608
____________________
Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'