'Reading Requested'

[Hacksaw]

No, not a psychic reading but of these plugs.

Leftside




Rightside





1990 California III Full Fairing with 38,020 miles
Factory Exhaust.
OEM air box with a used but 'healthy' looking UNI brand air filter.
Carbs are factory PHF30 models that have been changed from original jetting/tuning by original owner. 
The person I bought it from quoted the original owner as having said "I made several adjustments but it's still running rich."

Other than the top end performance/speed isn't what I was expecting, there isn't really anything 'wrong' or suspicious with the performance.
Average is 40 mpg in & around town and closer to 45 on the highway.
My limited experience leads me to a particular determination of the plugs and overall functioning but I would appreciate a cashing of my reality check by those who are more experienced in such things.

There is an aside to my asking for the assistance.
I have the OEM, 'opened up' Lafranconi take-offs from my 2003 EVT that I believe would sound MUCH better on this bike than they do sitting under the bench.

Thanks in advance for any & all input.
Hacksaw

[lucky phil]

No, not a psychic reading but of these plugs.

Leftside




Rightside





1990 California III Full Fairing with 38,020 miles
Factory Exhaust.
OEM air box with a used but 'healthy' looking UNI brand air filter.
Carbs are factory PHF30 models that have been changed from original jetting/tuning by original owner. 
The person I bought it from quoted the original owner as having said "I made several adjustments but it's still running rich."

Other than the top end performance/speed isn't what I was expecting, there isn't really anything 'wrong' or suspicious with the performance.
Average is 40 mpg in & around town and closer to 45 on the highway.
My limited experience leads me to a particular determination of the plugs and overall functioning but I would appreciate a cashing of my reality check by those who are more experienced in such things.

There is an aside to my asking for the assistance.
I have the OEM, 'opened up' Lafranconi take-offs from my 2003 EVT that I believe would sound MUCH better on this bike than they do sitting under the bench.

Thanks in advance for any & all input.
Hacksaw

They look fine, put the other pipes on and see how it performs. Mind you reading plugs this way is pretty pointless as everything looks fine pretty much after town/suburban riding and I don't have the benefit of looking at a fresh plug after a plug chop. It's nearly impossible to do any engine damage from a too lean mixture riding around at town speeds, you will feel and hear an issue before the plugs will tell you anything.
Thats why the Kit ecu exhaust manufacturers charge you a fortune for with an exhaust system on a modern bike are a rip off. You're generally better staying with the original ecu when you fit the aftermarket exhaust system. I've done that every time without a problem even on the track and swapped out mufflers only many many times without recourse to ecu or jetting changes unless there is a carburation issue and thats usually a "feel" thing not due to mechanical considerations.

Ciao

[Two Checks]

Those don't look too bad. Nice tan color.
The top end lack of power is probably due to a small main jet.
When I got mine it wouldn't run WFO due to having 130 mains.
142s corrected that. It could probably stand 145s.
I am at 440' MSL.

[oldbike54]

Those don't look too bad. Nice tan color.
The top end lack of power is probably due to a small main jet.
When I got mine it wouldn't run WFO due to having 130 mains.
142s corrected that. It could probably stand 145s.
I am at 440' MSL.

 If anything those plugs indicate a slightly lean condition . Think you're correct , go up a main jet size , slightly rich is better than slightly lean .

 Dusty

[Wayne Orwig]

Nice tan color, much as you might expect. But, I have always gotten a MUCH darker color near the intake valve on all of my two valve Guzzis. I assume because it runs the ceramic a bit cooler there.
I would try a bit richer main. I'm sure you don't want leaner.

[RinkRat II]

 I too am leaning towards lean. Unless you do a proper plug chop these are all educated hypothesies
   
        Compare for yourself...



      Paul B

[Wayne Orwig]

I too am leaning towards lean. Unless you do a proper plug chop these are all educated hypothesies

Good question. Is that after doing a WOT engine kill?

[Tom]

Y'ep, a little lean.

[Two Checks]

During normal riding you aren't running on the main. That reading is on the pilots. The pilots don't control just the idle. You do use a bit of the main as the needles start raising but you run on the main at WFO.
As stated you need to do a WFO plug chop to get a reading for the main.
And Guzzis are notoriously lean from the factory. In would drop the float bowl and then the main jet. If it hasn't been changed I bet its 130-135. And the K&N filter leans it out more.

[Guzikid]

  A carb has "4" tuning points.  The pilot jet helps with the starting and idle.  The slide cut-away helps with the progress from the idle to mid range. The needle is what takes care of the mid range and helps the overlap into full throttle which then is controlled by the main jet.  What we really want is the needle to give us smooth operation while we are cruising along in our top gear or puttin around in a lower gear. Now if you are riding around at full throttle or near it alot, then the main jet is the answer !  Basic Carb 101......The Kid

[Tom]

Drop your slides, one notch and run a tank of gas.

[oldbike54]

Drop your slides, one notch and run a tank of gas.

 I think you meant raise the needles a notch , right ?

 Dusty

[Tom]

Okayyyyyy.......you say tomato, I say tomato ......  Raising the needles will lower the slides.   

[oldbike54]

Okayyyyyy.......you say tomato, I say tomato ......  Raising the needles will lower the slides.   

 Yeah , I know , just messin' with ya 

 Dusty

[Tom]

You're looking at it from 180% north of me.  I'm 180% south.  Same solution different angle. 

[oldbike54]

You're looking at it from 180% north of me.  I'm 180% south.  Same solution different angle. 

 
 Yeah but what about our friends down under ?

 Dusty