Pod Air Filters or Aftermarket Pipes on Vintage Hondas?

I get a steady steady stream of questions about re-jetting for aftermarket pipes on the range of vintage Honda motorcycles we support.  
Pod Filters

Pod Filters?

Not so “Green,” No-Drop Idle Mixture Adjustment Method

I find the factory recommended idle mixture screw setting specs to be very close to ideal. They are listed here for the Honda GL1000.

Idle FUEL Mixture Screw on Honda GL1000

I do usually richen them up an extra 1/8 to 1/4 turn (out) to compensate for the leaner modern “gasoline” which is diluted with ethanol in most US markets.

But sometimes, you just need an excuse to do some high performance tuning on your bike! 🙂 

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“Insensitive” Idle Mixture Fuel Screws?

I often field this common complaint: 

“I’ve noticed that turning the idle mixture screws nets different results on each of the individual carbs on my Honda GL1000:

  • #1 will kill the motor if turned all the way in
  • #3 has NO EFFECT on engine speed regardless of where it is set
  • #2 has what might be considered a “normal” effect
  • #4 has only a very slight effect if any at all

What does this mean????? I’m a bit confused?  Help please!!!!”

GL1000 Idle Fuel Mixture Screws

GL1000 Idle Mixture Fuel Screw

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The Single Most Common Carburetor Problem (Clogged Pilot Jets) and How To Fix – by Ari Henning

I’m happy to share this excellent video tip created by Ari Henning of Motorcyclist Magazine. Ari is a notorious AHRMA road-racer and all-around swell guy!

This is excellent information.

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Fuel Filter Mounting Tips

Randakk’s High Performance Fuel Filters have many technical advantages and are super easy to install as demonstrated in this short video by by Shasta Smith – the Vintage Monkey.

More details on Randakk’s High Performance Fuel Filters here.

Early vs. Late Carb Mixing and Matching / Honda GL1100 Carbs on Honda GL1000? + Honda GL1000 Carb Specs

You might consider this item: Randakk’s GL1000 Carb Rebuild Video

GL1000 Carb Interchange IssuesJoukoCarbs3

Honda GL1000 Carbs Restored by Randakk Customer Jouko Tomminen of Lahti, Finland

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Honda GL1000 Floats 101

Randakk now offers GL1000 and GL1100 Float Setting gauges. Details here

I show how to set floats in the video: Randakk’s GL1000 Carb Rebuild Video

Setting Float

Note: The procedure for setting the float levels on GL1100 carbs is essentially the same as the one for GL1000 carbs described below. The only difference is that the float level spec for the GL1100 is 15.5 mm instead of 21.0 mm.

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GL1100 Scuffed CV Slides

You might consider this item: GL1100 Carburetor Repair Manual written by noted GL1100 guru Howard Halasz

This Tech Tip is provided courtesy of Howard Halasz – noted GL1100 Guru. Howard is a frequent contributor of technical columns and other information to GWRRA’s Wing World Magazine.

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