The actual process of finding the right idle rpm is as follows.
Start the bike. warm it up to actual riding temperatures(10 minutes at good clip round the block).
Come back, pick your screwdriver.
Turn the big screw(idle screw) clockwise, you can see the rpms rise. Turn it enough so that the bike will not shut off when you close the air screw(this comes with experience, if you close the air screw and the bike is shutting off, then you need to turn the idle screw further in).
With the bike idling away at a fairly high rpm(not screaming rpms, mind you), close the air screw(turn it fully shut by turning clockwise - if the bike shuts off, see above). Now start turning the airscrew slowly, listening to the bike. You can hear the revs gradually rise and will reach a crescendo and then taper off. Try to keep it at the crescendo(a tachometer helps to find the peak rpm, but then roadking does not come with one).
Then, turn the idle screw(BIG ONE) anticlockwise, slowly, very slowly, until the idle rpms come down and reach a point where the bike dies. If you want the bike to idle, you have to turn it a quarter clockwise, else leave it as it is. Some people prefer the bike not to idle.
You can now turn the air screw a quarter of a turn clockwise(for better idling when cold) or leave it as it is.
or even turn it a quarter anti clockwise, hoping for better mileage.
You may have to adjust the idle screw in the morning, if you want idling after an early morning start. |