It should have O rings on the mixture screws and they might still be there but stuck in the bore. The idle problem does sound like a weak mixture, are you sure you refitted the carbs fully back in their holders, any vacuum pipes missing or split, if the mixture screws were 6 turns out there is every chance they have fallen out at some stage and the O rings got lost. It sounds like the previous owner had this problem, maybe he messed with the balance screw and now they are out of sync.

 

It may be air getting into the carbs through a leak in the carb holder/rubber intake. I've heard that you can check for air leaks by spraying WD-40 around the carb rubbers while the bike is running. If you have a leak, the WD40 will get sucked in and cause the idle to rise.

 

I think I'll take the carbs off again and start unscrewing and inspecting the pilot jets and any emulsion tubes (if any) for blockages. I also need to take a closer look at the pilot screws and see if the o-rings are indeed in the bore. If they are missing, it would leak a little air and probably cause the high idle.

I was looking for the quick fix to get out riding ASAP, and while the bike is running much much better, it isn't quite right and I am not going to ride it if it isn't "perfect". I apparently need to finish up the break-in too. Keeping it mild during break-in is not going to be a problem for me since my other ride is a Honda Trail Cub replica. (110cc/180lb lol)

I purchased the factory manuals, and get this, they say not to touch the pilot screws. No base setting, no instructions on how to set them, and a tip to bottom them out and count the turns if you ever need to remove them for cleaning. That's fine but what if the previous owner was messing with them and didn't take note of where they were?

Thanks for the tips, the WD-40 things sounds pretty helpful.

Any other CVK34 experts out there have input?

 

OK - got the carbs out again. The o-rings for the pilot screws were indeed in the carb body. lol This time I pulled the pilot jet, and the needle jet. All the little holes on the side of the tubes were clean. Pulled the hoses off the engine and inspected them, they are like new.

The only vacuum hoses that go to the carbs are one to the petcock valve, and one to a valve that looks like it controls a PCV valve back to the air box.

It doesn't appear as if the balancing screw was touched. A quick visual tells me that they are synch'ed. (I figure if he touched it, they'd be waaaaay off considering where the pilot screw was!)

I haven't touched the diaphragm, as the slide operates smoothly. No need to mess with something that doesn't affect the idle, right?

I also haven't taken apart the enrichment valve assembly (choke?). Are there seals that are internal that could leak air? The little rubber boot at the end of the plunger looks ok with a visual check.

Also - I found the pilot screw setting for the 2005 Ninja 500R, it is 1 3/4 turns out, plus or minus 1/4 turn. It was in the supplement.

 

The other thing that can cause the bike to run lean is the amount of gas in the bowls. Make sure that the floats are correct height and raise and lower without obstruction.

 

Good news. All is well now. She was cranky because she wanted to be ridden hard! :biggrin:

After I got the carbs back in, started her up and as she warmed up, the high idle started to set in. I got a little pizzed, and I took it out for a ride and ignored the break-in sticker. When I opened her up, the bike stumbled at about 7K, backfired a few times, then took off like a rocket.

After resetting the idle, it idles down properly and runs like new.

Now off to change the oil, and enjoy the "non-wrenching" parts of the forum!

 

Might want to run a can of SeaFoam through things just to be sure it is truly clean. You might have a little bit of film built up still that is causing a little bit of a problem. SeaFoam should clean this up in a ride or two and she will really be screaming!

 

Running Chevron Techron and Marvel Mystery Oil in the tank to clean her out.

This is my first sport standard, and when the tach hits 7K, it really puts a grin on my face. Very docile around town, but get the revs up and have some fun!

Some dumbass in a Acura RSX (with phart Khaan) was revving at a stop light this morning - he was very small in my (cr@ppy stock) mirrors faster than you can say veeeetec. lol

I love this thing!