Idle Adjustment

Bull Durham · 08-24-2012, 09:35 PM

First off, why would you make a bike with no tach?

I need to adjust my idle adjustment, but with no tach, have no idea which way to go. I'd like to start fresh, I imagine if I turn it one way it will close up, then does anybody know offhand how many exact turns to back it off to get it about middle of the road?

AlabamaNomadRider · 08-24-2012, 09:39 PM

I turned mine counter clockwise until it barely ran and then went clockwise until it sounded about right. I just idle mine by ear. A tach would definitely be nice.

**ringadingh** · 08-24-2012, 09:44 PM

Without a tach you have no choice but to do it by ear. Don't worry, if it sounds ok and feels ok, you are probably very very close to where its supposed to be.

Bull Durham · 08-24-2012, 10:09 PM

Yeah, I'm spoilded from the old bikes, just watch the tach and adjust.

Problem is, I was fiddling with it at a red light, and it all sounds the same no matter which way I turn it, course I didn't try and choke it out first. Now, I think I've got it too lean.

Which way makes it richer, counter or counter clockwise?

**Top Cat** · 08-24-2012, 10:23 PM

You can buy a tach for $50 on ebay.

redjay · 08-24-2012, 10:31 PM

"Which way makes it richer, counter or counter clockwise? "

On a 2005 Nomad there is no mixture adjustment screw, just an adjustment knob to increase or decrease the idle speed. It should be below the right side dog bowl.

lar · 08-24-2012, 11:01 PM

Clockwise

fish · 08-25-2012, 07:35 AM

I seen at Harbor freight they have a gauge that checks the RPMs by just holding it close to the wires. Anybody seen it?

cactusjack · 08-25-2012, 10:03 AM

Clean your throttle body before you tinker with the idle speed. If the TB is dirty, cleaning it will change your idle speed.

VulcanE · 08-25-2012, 10:08 AM

Bull, the knob does not richen or lean the fuel mixture (you need a fuel processor for that). All the knob does is speed up or slow down the idle speed only. Don't try to adjust it until the engine is at full operating temperature. Turning it clockwise increases the speed, and CC decreases speed. Blip the throttle after each adjustment to settle it in, and have it running while your adjusting.

Bull Durham · 08-26-2012, 10:08 PM

I found out my idle adjustment doesn't do anything, anyway. I was going to tighten it up to choke it out like Gene did, then back it off. I sat and twisted that thing both ways like a 14 yr old girl flicking gum around her finger. Didn't matter which way I went, spun it like crazy.

I see there is a screw in the middle, in the tube. So then I held that so it didn't move and spun the adjust knob, didn't make a difference.

Now, I bought this bike a few years ago used, so was wondering if the previous owner did anything to the idle adjustment?

I'm posting two pics, one from front and one from side, so someone can tell me that that is the way it is suppose to look? Is that what yours looks like?

Please ignore the dirt, just got back tonight from a 750 mile weekend trip and it is FILTHY!!

**Top Cat** · 08-26-2012, 10:17 PM

That is the way mine looks.
I have to pull the knob out to engage the bolt before it will do anything.

IntheWind · 08-26-2012, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bull Durham

First off, why would you make a bike with no tach?

I need to adjust my idle adjustment, but with no tach, have no idea which way to go. I'd like to start fresh, I imagine if I turn it one way it will close up, then does anybody know offhand how many exact turns to back it off to get it about middle of the road?

I hate riding without a tach. Having a Baron's installed tomorrow. This is my second one. The first one never missed an rpm in 6 years and 77,000 miles.
http://www.westendmotorsports.com/ba...s-p-15597.html
___________
IntheWind
'08 Nomad

Bull Durham · 08-26-2012, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Top Cat

That is the way mine looks.
I have to pull the knob out to engage the bolt before it will do anything.

TC,

So you're saying you pull on your knob?

Couldn't help that.... Anyway, so you pull the knob towards you, I would imagine, and then that engages the little bolt, and turns both? And that'll make it rev up or slow down. Will give it a try tomorrow after work. I did yank off the dog bowls and my throats were pretty dirty, didn't have any carb cleaner, so used some Sea Foam and my wife's toothbrush (hope she doesn't notice). Am going to pick up some carb cleaner spray on the way home tomorrow and clean them out good.

Bull Durham · 08-26-2012, 10:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by IntheWind

I hate riding without a tach. Having a Baron's installed tomorrow. This is my second one. The first one never missed an rpm in 6 years and 77,000 miles.
http://www.westendmotorsports.com/ba...s-p-15597.html
___________
IntheWind
'08 Nomad

In the Wind,

How does that hook up to your bike, to give you your RPMs?

08-24-2012, 09:35 PM	#1
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Idle Adjustment First off, why would you make a bike with no tach? I need to adjust my idle adjustment, but with no tach, have no idea which way to go. I'd like to start fresh, I imagine if I turn it one way it will close up, then does anybody know offhand how many exact turns to back it off to get it about middle of the road? __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-24-2012, 09:39 PM	#2
AlabamaNomadRider Sr. Contributor Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Boaz, Alabama Posts: 13,742	I turned mine counter clockwise until it barely ran and then went clockwise until it sounded about right. I just idle mine by ear. A tach would definitely be nice. __________________ Gene Cross, Jr. Boaz, Alabama KawaNOW/VBA #1181
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08-24-2012, 09:44 PM	#3
ringadingh Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Newmarket Ontario Canada Posts: 35,387	Without a tach you have no choice but to do it by ear. Don't worry, if it sounds ok and feels ok, you are probably very very close to where its supposed to be. __________________ 2002 Nomad aka Bountyhunter VBA #27 VROC #18951
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08-24-2012, 10:09 PM	#4
Bull Durham Advanced Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Pittsburgh, PA area Posts: 785	Yeah, I'm spoilded from the old bikes, just watch the tach and adjust. Problem is, I was fiddling with it at a red light, and it all sounds the same no matter which way I turn it, course I didn't try and choke it out first. Now, I think I've got it too lean. Which way makes it richer, counter or counter clockwise? __________________ 2005 Kawasaki Nomad VBA #1608 KZR #25622
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08-24-2012, 10:23 PM	#5
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	You can buy a tach for $50 on ebay. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4] Login or Register to Remove Ads
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08-24-2012, 10:31 PM	#6
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,948	"Which way makes it richer, counter or counter clockwise? " On a 2005 Nomad there is no mixture adjustment screw, just an adjustment knob to increase or decrease the idle speed. It should be below the right side dog bowl.
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08-24-2012, 11:01 PM	#7
lar Sr. Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Concord, NH Posts: 1,407	Clockwise __________________ Larry Martel 02 1500 Nomad VBA 01565 VROC4737 Patriot Guard Rider
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08-25-2012, 07:35 AM	#8
fish Top Contributor Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Aquashicola Pa. Posts: 6,377	I seen at Harbor freight they have a gauge that checks the RPMs by just holding it close to the wires. Anybody seen it? __________________ I'm not prejudice I hate everyone equally;) 08 nomad blue/silver MaryJane 74,010miles VBA #299 Her's 10 900LT 36,700 09 Bath NY. 10 Lake George NY. 11 National Maggie Valley NC. 12 Pa Wilds (Wellsboro) Pa. 14 Lincoln NH. 17 National Lake George NY.
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08-25-2012, 10:03 AM	#9
cactusjack Mega-Contributor Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Where it doesn't snow...ever! Posts: 21,926	Clean your throttle body before you tinker with the idle speed. If the TB is dirty, cleaning it will change your idle speed. __________________ Scott "Cactusjack" Hanks VBA #00105 H.O.G. #4250060 2011 H-D Ultra Limited 103ci :: 2011 HD Electra Glide Ultra Limited w/Stage 1 :: Rallies: Mesquite '08\|Custer '09\|Cortez '10\|Crescent City '11\|Kanab '12\|Antlers '12\|Estes Park '13\|Antlers '13\|Orofino '14\|The Dalles '17
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08-25-2012, 10:08 AM	#10
VulcanE Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Cartersville, Georgia Posts: 4,838	Bull, the knob does not richen or lean the fuel mixture (you need a fuel processor for that). All the knob does is speed up or slow down the idle speed only. Don't try to adjust it until the engine is at full operating temperature. Turning it clockwise increases the speed, and CC decreases speed. Blip the throttle after each adjustment to settle it in, and have it running while your adjusting. __________________ Cliff "VulcanE" Evans 2005 Blue & Silver 1600 Nomad VBA # 320 VROC # 20381
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08-26-2012, 10:17 PM	#12
Top Cat Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Peoples Republic of New York State Posts: 15,154	That is the way mine looks. I have to pull the knob out to engage the bolt before it will do anything. __________________ Tim "TC" Conley VBA #9 2011 Victory Kingpin mine 2013 Victory Boardwalk -hers [LEFT][COLOR=#000000] [SIZE=4]
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