Quick Carb Question

When I put my bike back together, I used the center notch for the clip on the needle, as that is where it was prior to dismantling. After a few miles, I started thinking that it may be a little lean, and decided I'd move the clip down to the lowest slot on the needle.

Before doing this, I noticed in the technical section here that the standard needle position for an 850 is "top". Does that mean that the clip is in the uppermost position, lowering the needle?

Standard is relative. You are on the right track with your thinking.

Every service manual I've ever seen (Mikuni, Keihin) refers to THE CLIP'S POSITION ON THE NEEDLE. That is, don't overthink it. We all know raising the clip lowers the needle. The verbiage is clear.

hh76,
Amals and Nortons vary a lot, I think in Norton speak, 'standard settings' means..
When every part involved is in prestine condition.
When you moved the clip, was there a change for the better.?
AC.

Whatever needle clip change it takes to obtain "baby-poo brown".

heheehehehehehh.or lol.

despite the not so helpful advice so far - what makes you think the carbs /bike are running lean? and where in the throttle response is the problem- idle, acceleration, steady running?

you need to investigate/understand what part of your carb settings controls each response - one small turn of the pilot screw, or a ONE ckip change in your needle setting can have a big impact on the settings over all -


from old britts - but pretty much available else where w/a bit of search

http://www.oldbritts.com/amal_tun.html


There are four adjustments that can be made to the concentric carburetor. The adjustments should be made in the following sequence with the engine at operating temperature. The bike should be in operating setup (i.e., Exhaust system installed, air cleaners installed, etc.).
1, Adjust the Main Jet (Throttle at three-quarters to full open).
2, Adjust the Pilot Jet. (Throttle up to one-eighth open)
3, Adjust Throttle Cutaway. (Throttle one-eighth to one quarter open)
4, Adjust Throttle Needle. (Throttle one-quarter to three-quarters open)
5, Readjust the Pilot jet.

AussieCombat said:

hh76,
Amals and Nortons vary a lot, I think in Norton speak, 'standard settings' means..
When every part involved is in prestine condition.
When you moved the clip, was there a change for the better.?
AC.

Click to expand...

Seemed to help things out.

I was just curious if I were getting closer to, or further from the standard position.

hh76, When you say " seemed to help things out"
How are you gaugeing this.?
As Mike said,.. "what makes you think it's lean"
Is there a flat spot, does it spit back through the carbs, are the plugs white.

Don't worry about.. 'standard position'.
There's a lot of Standard (unimproved) engines out there that run better with non standard settings.
However, you need to be sure that all other things are right with the Carbs, before you make these changes.
If you are happy that the Carbs are clean and adjusted correctly, and synchronised, the Air filter is clean,
and anything else that I may of forgotten, (fuel flow, fuel filters, float height, gaskets, general ware etc),
then change what ever is neccesary to make it run right.
Of course the engine needs to be in good condition and the Timing right, before you start changeing anything.
What ever you change,..... do it methodically, and only change one thing at a time.
I hope this is helpfull. hehehe.
AC.