How best to set idle

My VF500 has been idleing too high at times...and I'm sure it because at one point or another I've been messing with the Idle Screw/knob. I thought I had the idle good and set but it seems that the idle is much to high when I'm at a light.

So what is the ideal thing to do to set the idle?
Have the vehicle at Temp (Middle of temp gauge) and then reach into the engine area and slowly twist the knob until it goes to a good idle?

Are there any ideal conditions when doing this? i.e. center stand, side stand, etc etc

 

Here's what I do for setting the idle,

1) If the bike's cold, go for a 10 minute ride to bring everything up to temp
2) On the garage floor, put the bike on it's centre stand
3) Leave engine running and bike in neutral
4) Make adjustments to the idle speed as needed

As long as there is no other mechanical problems with the bike, that should do the trick. Sometimes, a rough idle could be a symptom of some other issue with the bike....fuel, air, spark etc.

Hope that helps.

 

it's normal for a hot engine to idle much faster than a cold engine, so screw must be adjusted accordingly

 

Thanks...I figured as much.

So with the Bike on the center stand and the Engine hot I just reach in there and turn the Knob ever so slightly until the idle is just right?

 

Yup. Carbureted bikes will always idle lower until they are fully warmed up. Always set it with the engine hot.

 

Do you know the last time the carbs were synced? Yeah, bike temp, air temp and density as well as fuel octain on carbed bikes all cause idle changes. I adjust mine idel low when cold, and just a bit high when hot. If its real hot and Im in traffic, Ill turn it down. The problem is you dont want it stalling when its cold when you put the clutch in . Since most of us dont wait till the bike is fully warmed up before we ride. I trim with a bit of choke till its warm.

 

i AGREE WITH SAVEDRIVER...(VFR 750 1987)...THESE ARE BIKES YOU NEED LOVE AND CALM TO DEAL WITH. WARM ENGINE (+- HALF GAUGE), BETTER IF AFTER SOME MINUTES OF ROAD RATHER ON CENTRE STAND, THEN TURN THE IDLE KNOB. I NOTICED THAT, NORMALLY, THE GOOD IDLE IS 1200 RPM (BUT IF IT RAISE BETWEEN 1200/1400 DON'T WORRY IT'S QUITE NORMAL. ENGINE IS LIKE A HEART....PUMP, PUMP...PUPUMP...PUMP, PUMP...
CIAO !
LAMPS !
CARMINE.

 

Thanks guys.

i had the bike warmed up yesterday...and during the ride home the Bike was idling fine at the lights...so I rode some more and noticed that other times the bike would rev high (2200-3000rpm) when I came to a stop and then slowly idle down. Not like I'd come to a stop it will shoot up to those Revs. If I have the clutch in or am coasting in neautral the Bike would be revving high...and then slowly die down. I tried tilting the bike to either side...no change. Rocking the Bike....no change.

Sometimes if I'd give the throttle a quick snap the Bike would rev up and then immediatley come back to normal idle.

I should also mention that I have an exhaust leak just before the left Muffler can begins. If that makes a difference.

 

You need a carb sync.

 

But it was idling fine until I messed with the idle adjust knob.

...and not to mention the seller said he synch'd the carbs very recently.

 

yeah, fix that exhaust leak. Check your throttle cables as well, sounds like a fryed cable possibly hanging the linkage. A vacume (carb sync) test will show you if its all or just one or two cyls pulling more vac. Also a infered head gun on the header pipes can show what cyl is running lean or rich by measuring the exh temps. Really check those cables though. I just broke one on my dirt bike and it was acting just like that before it let go. Its a newer bike with a pull pull backup so I was able to ride it back ok. Good thing, I was more than 20 miles from the truck!

 

Yes, Check Cables. And Install A Gasket For The Exhaust. This Leak Can Change The Stechiometric Ratio (ratio Air/gasoline) With Subsequent Carbs Problems.
Lamps !

 

The exhaust leak is a rusted hole....need a new can or weld the hole shut.

I had the Bike nice and hot and i adjusted the Idle. Seems much better now.

The bike seems to hold the revs a little when I come to a stop..and within about a couple seconds drops down to a good idle.

I think the guy who I bought the bike from Synch'd the carbs but he did so with old fuel in the tank and he did an "okay" job.

Maybe Mid summer I'll get a quote for a good carb synch...or maybe just wait till next season if everything runs okay.

 

Idle..

Ok. Glad It's Going Better. Good Idea To Repair Exaust, But You Need To Leave A Little Hole For Moisture Escape.
Maybe There Was Old Gasoline In Your Tank, So, Fresh Gasoline To Clean The System.
Good Luck !
Lamps,
Carmine.

As I Said, Bikes Older Than 20 Yrs. Need Calm And Love....garages Need To Earn Money Also If Not Necessary...