Synchronizing your motorcycle carburetors is an ideal way to gain extra performance from your motorcycle. Not only can synchronizing or balancing your motorcycle carburetors improve your throttle response, but it can also boost your economy and engine running temperatures. But what does synchronizing your motorcycle carburetors actually do?

Synchronizing Your Motorcycle Carburetors

Synchronizing your motorcycle carburetors is key if you have an engine with more than one cylinder. Essentially, each cylinder’s carburetor is tasked with sending a certain fuel and air mixture into the engine.

If one of these carburetors sends more air or fuel into the cylinder than the others, that specific cylinder might run at much higher temperatures. Not only does this reduce your throttle response, but it also leads to lower fuel economy. Over time, it’s common for motorcycle carburetors to get out of sync with one another, which is why it’s so important to recalibrate them from time to time.

So, how do you synchronize your motorcycle carburetors?

How to Synchronize Your Motorcycle Carburetors

What you’ll need:

• Sockets
• Spanners
• Screwdrivers
• Carburetor balancing tool

Step 1: Take off the fairing panels

You need to do this so you can get access to the carburetors!

Step 2: Detach your bike’s fuel tank

Before you do this, warm up the engine as you’ll need it to be at a good temperature for later steps.

Step 3: Remove your bike’s carburetors

The exact way to do this depends on your specific motorcycle.

Step 4: Attach your carburetor balancing tool

You need to attach your carburetor balancing tool’s hoses to the relevant hoses on your carburetors. Make sure there are no leaks, as this affects the readings on the balancing tool.

Step 5: Reattach your carburetors

Make sure you fit your carburetors firmly in place.

Step 6: Connect a fuel supply and your carburetor balancing tool

You can either use a small container as your fuel supply or move the bike’s fuel tank into a suitable place to feed the carburetors. Make sure you connect your carburetor balancing tool up with the right hoses going into the right places.

Step 7: Run the engine at just above idle and synchronize your carburetors

Once the engine is back up to the right temperature, set it to run just above its normal idle. Make sure that all of your cylinders read within 2 cmHg of each other. If they don’t, adjust them accordingly by using a screwdriver and very fine movements.

Using a light touch is key, as even the slightest movements can shift the readings by a large margin. Once you remove the screwdriver after each adjustment, give the throttle a short squeeze to settle the linkages.

That’s all you need to do to synchronize your motorcycle carburetors! Doing so should make your bike run more economically, and you should notice a difference in your throttle response too. It varies by bike, but try to synchronize your motorcycle carburetors once a year. This way, you’ll always be able to get the most out of your motorcycle!