Introduction and fuel consumption

[Db7gtgrigio]

Thanks everyone for the helpful replies and kind welcome to the forum.

I had already ordered new diaphragms and carb kits but have now added needles and needle jets to the list. If that does not improve things then I will replace the floats. From Bobs experience of an improvement from 13 km/l to 17km/l just by changing needles and seats that would be very acceptable for me, takes consumption from 37mpg (basically what I have now ) to 48mpg which is what I would expect.

Re the Australian meet i would love to attend but insufficient notice and I am going to Philip Island for a ride day in early December on my Aprilia so I will have to wait for the next meet.

That picture that Steve posted is indeed my bike. Makes it look better than it is, lots of stone chips on the front fairing, but it is still a lovely bike and the price I paid (<$5k Aussie) seems an absolute steal compared to what 70s/80s Italian stuff costs. I went up the local Sydney bikers road last weekend and a bloke on a modern Kwacka sport tourer blasted past me on a straight just before the start of the twisties probably thinking old fart on a slow old bike. I tucked in behind him and stayed glued to his rear tyre for the next 20km, wondering why he would accelerate away from me on the straights but then I would catch him under brakes into the corners and then he would hold me up. I am no racer and not trying to talk up my fairly average riding prowess. My point is that 40 year old technology can still perform very well in normal safe riding conditions.

At the track it's a different world.........

Cheers all

[Db7gtgrigio]

So I replaced diaphragms, needles, needle seats, main jets, and all the o rings and gaskets in each carb with the exception of the throttle shaft o rings (seems like best left alone....). Also replaced the needle valves governing fuel supply.

Today I went to Newcastle and back 400km ish round trip.

Fuel consumption has improved dramatically from 13 km per litre to 15.5km per litre. In old money I am now achieving 43mpg.

While better I still feel it is still a bit low. Admittedly I do like to use the performance and was cruising on the motorway at 130kph ish and went through the Old Pacific Highway at a fair clip (5000rpm plus most of the time).

What do people think? Should I be happy with 43mpg for the type of riding I am doing, or should it be better? If it could be better, the only other things I can think of is replace idle jet and floats. Bike is running nicely, idles at 1100rpm HOT and is nice and smooth. I adjusted the valves before the most recent trip, and will try to balance carbs with my manometer over the weekend, but I don't think balance is that bad......

[Mal S7]

Well done.

That's decent mileage for riding like that. I get that at best, cruising at 110 - 120, no fairing though.