Author Topic: Davida vacuum gauges  (Read 1459 times)

Offline Laverda Dave

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2907
  • Health is wealth
    • View Profile
Davida vacuum gauges
« on: August 05, 2017, 10:51:26 AM »
Hi All,
I bought a second hand set of Davida Vacuum gauges a while ago to replace the steel rod Morgans that were never unfortunately as good as the mercury ones I had years ago and sadly got broken.
The Davida's didn't come with any instructions but I didn't think that mattered as I've used the mercury filled Morgans well in the past.  The problem I have with the Davida's is the reading scale, the increments are in lbs and not hg.  The scale reads from 0-0.6lbs.  According to the Haynes manual a reading of between 16-24hg is required during carb sync, there are no alternative lb readings provided. Checking a conversion chart on the web 16-24hg = 0.6-0.8lbs?  This will be off the scale on the Davida's  ::)
Does anyone have a set of Davida's and can you give me an idea of where on the lb scale the carbs should be balanced at?
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

Offline BigAl (Alan)

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 542
  • Hope its sunny at the weekend
    • View Profile
    • www.alans-electrics.co.uk
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2017, 11:47:42 AM »
I had the same issue a number of years ago with new gauges (as image) and instructions when I set up the CB750.  I simple carried out the instruction 'synchronisation is obtained when the vacuum is the same on all gauges'... it worked.
Never got to the bottom of 1bs = Hg ?
Current bikes:-
Honda CB750 K4 (1974) USA
Honda XL500S (1980) UK
Honda CD175 sloper (1968) UK
Honda CB1100A (2013) UK
www.alans-electrics.co.uk

Offline hairygit

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2708
    • View Profile
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #2 on: August 05, 2017, 12:07:17 PM »
Al hit the nail on the head, vacuum pressure is irrelevant to our bikes, getting all the carbs as close as possible to identical readings is the aim, hence "Synchronizing the carbs"

Sent from my X6pro using Tapatalk

If it's got tits or wheels, it's hassle, if it's got both, RUN!!!

Offline Deano400

  • SOHC Pro
  • Posts: 525
    • View Profile
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #3 on: August 05, 2017, 07:08:36 PM »
16-24 mmhg would give 0.31 - 0.46 lbs (PSI).

Offline flatfour

  • SOHC Expert
  • Posts: 304
    • View Profile
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #4 on: August 06, 2017, 10:00:51 AM »
I've used Davida's for some 25 years on a variety of bikes (mainly four - cylinder Honda's though) and the needles always sit at around the Five - to the Hour position as on a clock face.

With the exception of a need to replace one vacuum hose after around 20 years of used (collapsed) the gauges have been faultless.

Offline JamesH

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2855
    • View Profile
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #5 on: August 06, 2017, 10:59:44 AM »


Video screen shot of a Cb750 K5 at idle (#2 not yet balanced) using davida gauges

Offline JamesH

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2855
    • View Profile
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #6 on: August 06, 2017, 11:01:46 AM »
Word of advice - I wouldn't try to aim for 'absolute' numbers, just aim to get all 4 in sync.

Offline Laverda Dave

  • SOHC Jedi
  • Posts: 2907
  • Health is wealth
    • View Profile
Re: Davida vacuum gauges
« Reply #7 on: August 06, 2017, 11:14:23 AM »
Thanks for the advice everyone, I aim to get the carbs balanced over the next couple of days. I'll report back (carb overflows permitting!).
1976 Honda 400/4
1977 Rickman Honda CR750
1999 Honda VFR 800FX
1955 750 Dresda Triton
1978 Moto Morini 350 Sport
1978 Honda CB400/4 'Rat' bike
1982 Laverda 120 Jota
2020 Royal Enfield Interceptor 650

 

SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal