jetkit installment difficulty

[dgc]

hello,
this being my first post here, i will open with an exhausted and very general question.  since i have just purchased a 97 b12s, (with 15k) aside from nice sound (if not somewhat loud) provided by full two brothers, i have noticed that a bike runs very rich.  air filter had a large black dot and plugs were carbon fouling.  i have no idea what the previous ower had done to carbs, but it seem to me that a good jet kit would be a way to go- being that carbs need work ragardless.  online research points to ivan.  here is the question:  being a relatively competent and industrious DIYer, should i tackle installment myself or have a pro do it?  i did lots of general work on any bike i owned by never really messed with carbs, current financial situation isnt too 'happening'.  the instructions seem to be a joke.  any opinions?

[txbanditrydr]

First things first....    to the site and    on your purchase.

Others will be along shortly to answer with more in-depth analysis but here's my take on the situation.

Get some type of manual - Clymer, Haynes, Factory (online downloads available on this site) - it'll make things much easier at least in identifying the parts discussed (a/f screws, floats, etc.)

I wouldn't be so quick to install a jet kit until you figure out what is causing the rich condition - in case it's something that a jet kit won't address.  In fact, it may have a kit in it already since there's an aftermarket exhaust - aftermarket exhausts without jetkits usually run very lean.

Check to see if the a/f screws have been drilled out and that's a good indication that someone has at least tinkered with the carbs.  Other causes could be gummed up/old fuel and of course a dirty air filter.  

Sorry I can offer much else at this time but these things are very fixable by the average DYI'er with help from the board.

Again - welcome to the site.

[Red01]

Sounds like it may have a jet kit already, like tex said... but what's a little puzzling is you said the air filter had A black dot... and every jet kit for the 1G B12 I know of would have you add another hole to the airbox lid, so you'd have dotS. OTOH, if the dot is black, your rich condition could just be from a dirty air filter choking things up. I'd try that first and see if things get better. If not, pop the tops off the carbs and look at the needles. If this is a Nrth American market bike, the stock needles will only have a single clip position. Multiple clips positions on one of these bikes would indicate a jet kit.

[BANDIT#999]

This may be an over simplified answer but.... seeing as you just bought the bike is it possible that your choke cable may be sticking or binding? Just a thought before you go tearing everything apart, start with the simple obvious stuff and eliminate possible problems one at a time.

[Bob Holland]

This may be an over simplified answer but.... seeing as you just bought the bike is it possible that your choke cable may be sticking or binding? Just a thought before you go tearing everything apart, start with the simple obvious stuff and eliminate possible problems one at a time.

In 1980 I bought a Goldwing with a real expensive paint job for $1200, because it would not run after it warm up, unhooked the choke cable and it ran perfect.
They had painted the choke cable.

[dgc]

thanks guys, i welcome any input.  in reply to red, air box wasnt not tampered with (drilled), and it does have highly contrasting deposit on the filter right at the opening, its a clogged up black dot...which i have promptly cleaned up and ordered another filter.  of couse, being that all 3 moto shops around here have a heavy air of arrogance (and ignorance), not to mention 85/hr charge, around them, i have ordered (and got) a manual immidietely.  
the bike needs to be choked even on the warmest summer day.  when i came to purchase it, i didnt think much of it, because i have read online that they run extremely lean, need 10min warm-up stock, and have a flatspot in the 3k neighbourhood.  the bike i got, and i am happy to report, pulls relatively even through the acceptable range.
air box was not drilled out...i guess i'll have to look into the needles..
also one of the first thing i looked at was the choke cable, and it operating fine.  also, im considering a purchase of a carb sync'er.
along gsxr750, i have with complete satisafaction owned a '97 gpz1100 for years, had to part with it, so now i hope that b12 can replicate the experience without too many headaches.
again, thanks for the replies.

[snofrog]

Ivans kit will have you drilling 20 ) 3/8" holes in the airbox lid . another popular kit is holeshot witch I believe uses another 2" hole just opposite the one the factory installed . both kits have had thair share of debate on here and over all give great results

[dgc]

when i went on about instructions...this is what i was looking for:

http://www.cartestsoftware.com/fz1/jetkitinstallation.html


now, those are instructions for someone doing carb work for the first time

ps today i entertained idea of just driving up to ivans (with the bike in the back), in case i was to need any further work done.  as long as theres no traffic, wouldnt be a long ride at all

[Red01]

Well, dgc, this is the closest thing to that for the B12:

Bill Johnson's guide to installing a Holeshot Stage II kit

Luckily, the only drilling you have to do on a set of B12 carbs is the EPA plugs from the pilot screws.