Triumphrat

01-01-2005

I'm looking for answers and or tips on adjusting the carbs on my Thruxton. They are blueing way too much. I know I should get rid of the A.I. set-up, but for right now I just want to richen it up first. Everything I've read says adjust the mixture screws out 3 turns from lightly seated. Obvious problem (once I found them, or think I have) is how do I get those brass plugs out? Can I pry or drill them out or do I have to do something less drastic? I'm sure there is a simple answer I just don't see it. Just to be clear, it is the screw under the carb(s) in the tubular housing just before the rubber manifold boot, right? My shop manual is on order so I could not refer to it for help. Thanks in advance.

01-01-2005

3holepunch, Don't richen that idle adjustment with the AI still inplace, you'll just be contributing further to the problem. The idea of the AI is to bring air into the exhaust to promote further burning of any hydrocarbons leaving the engine. If you are running rich, you may have more "reaction" at the exhaust pipe. Also, don't pry or try to remove any plugs from your adjustment screws. I think you're looking at the right adjusters, but they require a special tool. It is available from your Triumph dealer and probably your Honda dealer also. It is common to the Keihin carbs. It looks like a screwdriver on a flexible shaft with a "D" shaped socket type end. It looks like a good time for doing that AI removal, it's gonna be soggy for awhile!-Rob

01-02-2005

Windblast,
Thanks for the info. I thought as much, I looked at the adjusters with a dental mirror and figured they were some sort of anti-screw-with device. I didn't mean to come across as a total moron, but I've never owned a bike that didn't have simple adjusters on the carbs. I haven't removed the AI yet because I really have no problem other than the blueing on the pipes. When I removed all the anti-smog equipment on my GB500 the only real difference I could notice was cosmetic (no more metallic octopus). The blueing isn't going to kill me, I just noticed that on every posting about pipes blueing with the Bonnies, the general response was they are too lean from the factory for the US market and the first step was to make the adjustment at the carb screws. Does anyone make a better header pipe that resists blueing? I don't mind the stock mufflers, it's kind of nice to leave for work and not wake up the neighborhood.

TravThrux · 01-02-2005

Hey Sarge,
When I was home on leave, I installed the AI kit I got from Brent at Newbonneville.com (he also has a cool little tool for your D-shaped mixture screws). I did this before I rode it with 1 mile on the odometer. I rode a total of about 75 miles on the Thruxton and my pipes are very discolored and blue. So, based on my experience, the AI kit had no effect on blueing of the pipes. They blued regardless of the AI being removed. The blue does not bother me in the least. It is kind of like the way some of the "senior citizens" on this site (sorry OLD GUYS!) descibed the character-building enhancement of blue pipes. It does look pretty tough!!
Good luck...
Trav

If you want to eliminate blueing, about the only option is to have your headers ceramic coated. HPC has a polished aluminum coating that looks very good. They told me around $200 to coat just the head pipes on a Thruxton (Ok, I admit, the blue pipes USED to bother me :razz:

[ This message was edited by: TravThrux on 2005-01-02 10:35 ]

01-02-2005

Hey guys, You must remove the AI before you "fatten-up" the low speed mixture. I rode my bike for 500 miles stock and did get a lot of discoloration at the pipes. After my breakin service I installed TOR's, upped the mains to 117.5's, which I now think are as close as I need, installed the AI kit and adjusted my low speed mixture screw out to app. 3 turns. I then polished my exhaust pipes using the tecnique I've posted before (it works!). Email if you need it. I now have 1200 miles on the bike with everything from interstate to backroad "ton-up" riding and don't have a hint of blue on my pipes, just a nice even golden patina. You don't have to have blue pipes unless you want them. By the way 3holepunch, I'm just up the road from you and do my riding from sea level to app. 2000 feet which should be identical to your riding area and the carburetion is fine. Just wanted to let you know what course I've taken with my Thruxton.-Rob

TriumphDriver · 01-02-2005

Before I even started the engine on my Thruxton, I did the following:
1. Removed the header pipes and coated with Kreem Blue Shield Pipe Blueing Protecterant;
2. Removed the air injection system and installed the AI bolts.
3. Added the airbox removal kit, added Uni filters and rejetted the carbs.
4. Added Staintune exhaust.

Mix ingredients and ride "briskly" for no less than an hour.
Results-no blue exhaust. NADA/

01-02-2005

Rob and Trav,
Thanks for the info. I think I'm going to just live with the pipes, they kind of grow on you. I'll wait till my ability catches up with my need for more power till I do any mods to the motor. I'll be taking it in for it's break-in service next week. I hear nothing but horror stories about my local Triumph dealer here in Simi Valley, so I'm going to take it to South Bay for service. The guys at South Bay Triumph seem like really great guys and I get a really good vibe from them. By the way, their tailight kit is top notch, a little pricey but very well made. As for the space left under the seat I found a very cheap and sano solution for that. Go to Staples and buy a black 1ft tall plastic waste basket. Make your cardboard template and cut it from the side of the can. It's slightly curved shape fits exactly and cradles the electrics perfectly. I installed 2 rubber wire grommets and ran the repositioned turnsignal wires thru them. I kid you not, it looks like it came from the factory like that now. And, at 3 bucks you can't go wrong! Just thought I'de share the only Bonnie tip I've got (so far). Trav, just got the wonderful news, I'm on the ready-next list for June rotation back to Fun-Land. But, thats the life of an AIRBORNE soldier. HOOAH! Thanks again to both of you guys.

Dave

TravThrux · 01-02-2005

Hey Sarge,
Sorry to hear about the "wonderful news". Like you said though, your are an airborne Soldier!!!
You can have my bunk. Some days, if you are lucky, you may even have hot water to shower with!
My fun is almost over. 29 days short BABY!!
Take care and enjoy that blue piped Thruxter!

Hey Triumphdriver,
Is the Uni-filter a single unit or does one have to buy 2 of them (one for each carb)??? I am sure this probably a rhetorical question if I had my Service Manual over here.... :razz: