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SOHC.co.uk Forums => Recommended Sources for Parts and Services => Topic started by: Zunspec on June 30, 2016, 09:46:02 AM

Title: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on June 30, 2016, 09:46:02 AM: Hello,

I am after buying a set of vacuum gauges to balance the carbs on my CB750F1. eBay has them priced from £33 to £150+ so plenty of choice but what ones are worth buying. What makes have a decent reputation.

Cheers Geoff
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Binman180 on June 30, 2016, 01:33:28 PM: Hi,

I don't have a great deal of experience. but I have the following:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Dellorto-Weber-Mikuni-Kehin-4-Column-Manometer-Morgan-Carbtune-Pro-carb-balancer-/262446445965?hash=item3d1b06f58d:g:OIIAAOxydUJTNXW6

Happy with the build quality, allowed me to balance my carbs fine (400/4).

thanks, Ryan
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: ginger_jim on June 30, 2016, 02:36:27 PM: +1 for the Morgan carbtune pro. Used mine loads and balanced a lot of my mates bikes too.
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: SteveD CB500K0 on June 30, 2016, 03:27:30 PM: I had one of these once.

I didn't find it during my "Barn Clearance" but if I do, you can have it for a tenner plus shipping. There were never any adaptors for the carbs.

Steve
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: royhall on June 30, 2016, 04:07:22 PM: Whatever you buy make sure they are fitted with damper valves. The cheap ones (without dampers) bounce all over the place and are very hard to use. The needle will jump with every pulse of the engine. I use these and they work very well, although they are more the high end price wise. http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/testing-equipment/sealey-carburettor-synchronizer-vacuum-mini-type-vs209 (http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/motorcycle/testing-equipment/sealey-carburettor-synchronizer-vacuum-mini-type-vs209)
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: flatfour on June 30, 2016, 05:44:41 PM: I have a Davida set. Very well made, in metal and have worked for me for some 15 years.
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Bryanj on June 30, 2016, 05:53:35 PM: The sealy one is the one I bought last year as I had problems with my blue metal ones, I was lucky and paid less than £100 but very impressed with quality and they have all the adaptors plus decent hose. Nearest to genuine Honda workshop ones I have ever seen
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: gtmdriver on June 30, 2016, 08:38:38 PM: I used a Morgan for my BMW Boxer and Moto Guzzi Cali III and it was accurate and easy to use. For my CB350F I bought a set of the cheap blue metal gauges with damper valves and they work fine too.

If you want to second guess your gauges you can always swap the pipes around after you've got a good balance to see if any of the readings vary significantly.
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on June 30, 2016, 10:12:03 PM: Thank you for all your replies and suggestions. I have plumped for this set, which I think are the Sealey ones. A good range of adaptors so hopefully will be useful for my other bikes too.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FAST-DELIVERY-ADVANCED-MOTORCYCLE-CARBURETTOR-Synchronizer-BALANCER-TOOL-KIT-/161596052168?hash=item259fe012c8:g:-8gAAOSwstxU2eal (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FAST-DELIVERY-ADVANCED-MOTORCYCLE-CARBURETTOR-Synchronizer-BALANCER-TOOL-KIT-/161596052168?hash=item259fe012c8:g:-8gAAOSwstxU2eal)

Cheers Geoff
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: petermigreen on June 30, 2016, 10:23:35 PM: Be interested to know how you get on with your choice. I am also looking for a set.

Keep me posted please.

Peter.
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on June 30, 2016, 11:23:34 PM: Quote from: petermigreen on June 30, 2016, 10:23:35 PM
Be interested to know how you get on with your choice. I am also looking for a set.

Keep me posted please.

Peter.

Will do, Peter. Once I have learnt how to do it ;D
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Johnwebley on July 01, 2016, 11:04:46 AM: can I suggest you get something like this ,

http://yambits.co.uk/rd125-auxiliary-fuel-tank-p-10299.html

you will find it helpful,

or make something similar
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on July 01, 2016, 04:09:41 PM: Thank you for the tips chaps, syncronising 4 carbs will be a new skill for me. I will see about getting a small header tank, I was going to cobble something up using a plastic petrol container but the proper job looks much safer ;D

Cheers Geoff
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: jimv50 on July 01, 2016, 05:34:22 PM: I however will be having a go at making something like this ;D
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: gtmdriver on July 01, 2016, 09:00:17 PM: I just used the standard tank with an extension fuel tube standing on a nearby box.

As Oddjob says balancing the carbs is the very last job after you've set up the ignition and the valve clearances.
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on July 02, 2016, 08:24:33 AM: As I know how clumsy I can be a seperate purpose fuel supply is probably a wise choice ;D

I don't want to knock this tank onto the floor.

(https://c1.staticflickr.com/1/532/19695764916_e7c4369451.jpg)

Cheers Geoff
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: jimv50 on July 03, 2016, 03:18:49 PM: Quote from: jimv50 on July 01, 2016, 05:34:22 PM
I however will be having a go at making something like this ;D
After trying in B&Q and other shops for the bits necessary and been underwhelmed by the cost I have ordered a Morgan Pro carbtune for £71 including pouch, packing and postage
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: JamesH on July 03, 2016, 03:34:37 PM: I've got a Davida set and they are very good imho. Small amount of bounce but nothing major at all.
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on July 06, 2016, 03:56:33 PM: Thought I should post that the carb synchronisation was successful ;D It turned out to be a fairly easy process with the appropriate kit. Of course I lost two of the washers when I first undid the vacuum blanking screws and now have to file a 4mm washer out to 5mm so I get a good seal, but that's about par for me :D

Follow the link to a short video:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/zunspec/27514413164/in/album-72157655896677392/ (https://www.flickr.com/photos/zunspec/27514413164/in/album-72157655896677392/)

Cheers Geoff
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Bryanj on July 06, 2016, 04:56:16 PM: Those washers are soft aluminium to seal not steel
Title: Re: Wanted - Recommendations for Vacuum Balance Gauges (CB750F1)
Post by: Zunspec on July 06, 2016, 05:13:21 PM: Hi Bryan,

I used some soft copper ones (after annealing) so should be OK.

Cheers Geoff