Checking RPM
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Lexington,Ky
Checking RPM
I tried searching but couldn't come up with much. Im trying to find a way to check what my bike is idling at while at idle. Is there a way to check this besides getting a tach? My bike idles great when it's just started and warmed up enough to take off choke but after a little ride and stopped at a light or something it sounds like it is idling high.
Club Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 5,797
Likes: 7,825
From: SE Louisiana
Adjust the idle after it is fully warmed up (when it's idleing high).
If it idles on it's own in under five minutes when you cold start it, it will probably idle too high when the engine and carb fully heats up, depending on ambient air temps.
Make very small adjustments to find a happy medium between cold and hot idle speed.
If it idles on it's own in under five minutes when you cold start it, it will probably idle too high when the engine and carb fully heats up, depending on ambient air temps.
Make very small adjustments to find a happy medium between cold and hot idle speed.
Road Warrior
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 91
From: Florida
Yeah, that's definitely too high. You can unscrew one of the spark plugs, put your finger in there, and count how many times the piston hits your finger in ten seconds. Multiply that times 3 and there's your RPM! Just remember to video it for reference. 
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Find a friend or a shop that has a "dial back timing light" the better ones have a digital tach on the back of them. That is what we use to set the idle on bikes that have no tach. Set the idle at about 900RPM's wit the bike warmed up. I believe Harbor Freight has these for a reasonable price.
John
John
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Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,900
Likes: 12
Sounds like you might have an intake leak if it idles fine, but when you ride it the idle goes up.
Or your butterfly needs adjusting. Maybe your throttle cables are sticking.
Or your butterfly needs adjusting. Maybe your throttle cables are sticking.
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Thread Starter
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Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 164
Likes: 1
From: Lexington,Ky
Yeah I prob need to check for an intake leak too. Thanks I'll look for one of those at HF. Wakko I might be in Florida for biketoberfest so you could check it for me like that if you'd like haha. Thanks guys for the info.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,872
Likes: 83
From: Canton, Michigan
My bike will just barely stay running: 300-400 rpm, when it's first started and the enrichener is pushed off. Upon warm up, it will idle 1000-1100 rpm.