carb adjustment 1981 XJ550 Maxim

[GBarts59]

Is there a "tool" that makes adjusting the carbs easier?

[Johnj]

Hello Gary and welcome to the forum. The only thing I can think of is a long .5 screwdriver or maybe a 90° screwdriver. Good luck.

[GS_in_CO]

I don't know the bike or the geometry at all so this might not work.

There are kits of tools with flexible shaft handles and changeable bits available which can be used to manipulate screws in locations where a regular hard-shaft screwdriver or nut driver won't fit. (I've been given two of these kits over the years)
The flex shafts aren't strong for cinching things down but they are good for adjustments in awkward places. (I think I have a long and a short flex handle from Sears)

In the Olden Days there actually was such a tool called a GM distributor points adjuster which was a screwdriver handle on a long flexible shaft with an allen wrench bit that exactly fit the distributor points adjusting screw in GM distributors. It was absolutely necessary because of the inaccessible locations the factories put for the distributor access doors on the distributor caps.
(I still have this tool.)

[totalmotorcycle]

Give a mercury carburetor synchronizer a try. Mechanic's swear by them (and at them too!) for decades.

http://www.bing.com/search?q=mercury+ca ... 8cdcaa7f58

[Johnj]

Instead of paying big bucks for one of those units you can make your own manometer for around $12. viewtopic.php?f=18&t=34471