
7-1
ENGINE
TUNING
ENGINE
CARBURETOR SETTING
• The air/fuel mixture will vary de-
pending on atmospheric conditions. 
Therefore, it is necessary to take 
into consideration the air pressure, 
ambient temperature, humidity, 
etc., when adjusting the carburetor.
• Perform a test run to check for prop-
er engine performance (e.g., throt-
tle response) and spark plug(-s) 
discoloration or fouling. Use these 
readings to determine the best pos-
sible carburetor setting.
It is recommended to keep a record of 
all carburetor settings and external 
conditions (e.g., atmospheric condi-
tions, track/surface conditions, lap 
times) to make future carburetor set-
ting easier.
• The carburetor is a part of the 
fuel line. Therefore, be sure to in-
stall it in a wellventilated area, 
away from flammable objects 
and any sources of fire.
• Never look into the carburetor in-
take. Flames may shoot out from 
the pipe if the engine backfires 
while it is being started. Gasoline 
may be discharged from the ac-
celerator pump nozzle when the 
carburetor has been removed.
• The carburetor is extremely sen-
sitive to foreign matter (dirt, 
sand, water, etc.). During instal-
lation, do not allow foreign mat-
ter to get into the carburetor.
• Always handle the carburetor 
and its components carefully. 
Even slight scratches, bends or 
damage to carburetor parts may 
prevent the carburetor from 
functioning correctly. Carefully 
perform all servicing with the ap-
propriate tools and without ap-
plying excessive force.
• When the engine is stopped or 
when riding at no load, do not 
open and close the throttle un-
necessarily. Otherwise, too 
much fuel may be discharged, 
starting may become difficult or 
the engine may not run well.• After installing the carburetor, 
check that the throttle operates 
correctly and opens and closes 
smoothly.
ATMOSPHERIC CONDITIONS AND 
CARBURETOR SETTINGS
The air density (i.e., concentration of 
oxygen in the air) determines the rich-
ness or leanness of the air/fuel mix-
ture.
• Higher temperature expands the air 
with its resultant reduced density.
• Higher humidity reduces the 
amount of oxygen in the air by so 
much of the water vapor in the 
same air.
• Lower atmospheric pressure (at a 
high altitude) reduces the density of 
the air.
EFFECT OF SETTING PARTS IN 
RELATION TO THROTTLE VALVE 
OPENING
A. Closed
B. Fully open
1. Pilot screw/pilot jet
2. Throttle valve cutaway
3. Jet needle
4. Main jetCONSTRUCTION OF 
CARBURETOR AND SETTING 
PARTS
The FLATCR carburetor has a prima-
ry main jet. This type of main jet is 
perfect for racing machines since it 
supplies an even flow of fuel, even at 
full load. Use the main jet and the jet 
needle to set the carburetor.
The FLATCR carburetor is manufac-
tured with a pilot screw. The pilot 
screw adjustment ranges from fully 
closed throttle to 1/4 open throttle.
1. Jet needle
2. Pilot air jet
3. Needle jet
4. Main jet
5. Pilot jet
6. Pilot screw
ADJUSTING THE MAIN JET
The richness of the air-fuel mixture at 
full throttle can be set by changing the 
main jet "1".
If the air-fuel mixture is too rich or too 
lean, the engine power will drop, re-
sulting in poor acceleration.
Effects of changing the main jet 
(reference)
A. Idle
B. Fully open
1. #188
2. #182
3. #185 Air 
tem
p.Hu-
midi-
tyAir 
pres-
sure 
(alti-
tude)Mix-
tureSet-
ting
High HighLow 
(high)Rich-
erLean-
er
Low LowHigh 
(low)Lean-
erRich-
er
Standard main jet #185
7 

7-9
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (FRONT FORK)
• If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make resetting by reference to 
the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
• Before any change, set the rear shock absorber sunken length to the standard figure 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in).
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge 
gapMedi-
um 
gapSmall 
gap
Stiff over entire 
range○○○Compression  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Oil  amount Decrease oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4 
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Unsmooth move-
ment over entire 
range○○○○Outer tube Check for any bends, dents, and other noticeable 
scars, etc. If any, replace affected parts.
Inner tube
Slide metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Piston metal Replace with a new one for extended use.
Under bracket tighten-
ing torqueRetighten to specified torque.
Poor initial move-
ment○Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Oil seal Apply grease in oil seal wall.
Soft over entire 
range, bottoming 
out○○Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4 
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz).
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Stiff toward stroke 
end○Oil amountDecrease oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp 
oz,0.2 US oz).
Soft toward stroke 
end, bottoming out○Oil amountIncrease oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp 
oz,0.2 US oz).
Stiff initial move-
ment○○○○Compression dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Low front, tending to 
lower front posture○○Compression damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 95–100 mm (3.7–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat (lower rear 
posture).
Oil amount Increase oil amount by about 5 cm
3 (0.2 Imp oz, 
0.2 US oz).
"Obtrusive" front, 
tending to upper 
front posture○○Compression  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Balance with rear end Set sunken length for 90–95 mm (3.5–3.7 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat (upper rear 
posture).
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Oil  amount Decrease oil amount by about 5–10 cm
3 (0.2–0.4 
Imp oz, 0.2–0.3 US oz). 

7-10
CHASSIS
SUSPENSION SETTING (REAR SHOCK ABSORBER)
• If any of the following symptoms is experienced with the standard position as the base, make resetting by reference to 
the adjustment procedure given in the same chart.
• Adjust the rebound damping in 2-click increments or decrements.
• Adjust the low compression damping in 1-click increments or decrements.
• Adjust the high compression damping in 1/6 turn increments or decrements.
SymptomSection
Check Adjust
JumpLarge 
gapMedi-
um 
gapSmall 
gap
Stiff, tending to sink○○Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spongy and unsta-
ble○○Rebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Low compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 click) to increase 
damping.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Heavy and dragging○○Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Poor road gripping○Rebound  damping Turn adjuster counterclockwise (about 2 clicks) to 
decrease damping.
Low compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
High compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to in-
crease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Bottoming out○○High compression 
dampingTurn adjuster clockwise (about 1/6 turn) to in-
crease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with stiff spring.
Bouncing○○Rebound damping Turn adjuster clockwise (about 2 clicks) to in-
crease damping.
Spring Replace with soft spring.
Stiff travel○○High compression 
dampingTurn adjuster counterclockwise (about 1/6 turn) to 
decrease damping.
Spring set length Set sunken length for 90–100 mm (3.5–3.9 in) 
when one passenger is astride seat.
Spring Replace with soft spring.