Carb needle help

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funsize
Posts: 116
Joined: 12 Jul 2021 18:11
Location: Rotherham England

Carb needle help

Post by funsize »

Evening!
I’m still having rich running on my ‘80 Strada. Nothing too serious but I feel I should either try what many have suggested and drop the needles and/or check if they’re worn and replace with new E17 needles (gleaned from from Morini Jen’s excellent chart).
Not being in any way technical, are there any videos or diagrams out there to explain how to do this? Also do I need new gaskets anywhere for reassembly? Finally, if the middle setting is standard, do I move the needle up or down one to go leaner?
Thank you in advance 😊
Andy_C
Posts: 154
Joined: 08 Sep 2024 19:40
Location: Somerset

Re: Carb needle help

Post by Andy_C »

Needles are up for richer, down for leaner.
Current bikes: Kawasaki KH400, Royal Enfield Himalayan, 1200 Triumph Speedmaster, Morini Strada 3 1/2
Morini Jen
Posts: 289
Joined: 12 Jun 2022 18:49
Location: Warwickshire U.K.

Re: Carb needle help

Post by Morini Jen »

Hi Funsize.

The Morini Riders Club Technical Guru, Paul Compton, did a YouTube video showing the re-assembly of  VHB carb which is well worth watching. The needle doesn't get a mention until 20 minutes in and it doesn't show how to remove or move the needle.

Still, it is quite simple once you have the slide separated from the cable and spring. You just pull out the flat metal clip and the needle drops out. Getting the clip back in on the required slot is a bit tricky as it is hard to see, peering through a small gap.

Another good point Paul makes is about the two small bolts that hold the top cap on. These have a reduced shank between the thread and head. There is a corresponding thread in the cap so the bolts thread through the cap and then become loose and captive. If you unscrew them completely they can fall out and disappear under the workbench never to be found again. Don't ask me how I know. :wink:

You shouldn't need any gaskets as a matter of course although there are a number of 'o' rings which can become hard or crumbly over time. The seal kit shown in the video is the 52510 set, available from Eurocarb.

https://www.dellorto.co.uk/

Here is the video. Good luck.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKBdvmGYWQM
Attachments
52510 VHB Gasket Set.jpg
52510 VHB Gasket Set.jpg (34.99 KiB) Viewed 139 times
funsize
Posts: 116
Joined: 12 Jul 2021 18:11
Location: Rotherham England

Re: Carb needle help

Post by funsize »

Thanks both, especially Jen, exactly what I was looking for. I will enlist some help as (for me) it sounds a bit scary! I do have that kit so I guess that’s a start. BP7ES were sooty and consumption wasn’t great. Valves are set correctly with jets etc cleaned in the winter, it’s already got down from 50 to 43 pilot jet. I’ve reduced the mixture screw from 1 1/2 turns out to 1/2 turn out and it’s improved it quite a lot, rides real nice.
I just feel I should try dropping the needles…🤷🏻‍♂️
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