1982 Honda Goldwing gl1100

[Norman]

What is the function of the pilot screws on the carbs? If I turn them in ( this is with the limiter caps still on) my mileage drops to 27 mpg and when I turn them out to the limit which is about 7/8 of a turn because of the limiter caps I get 33mpg this is going out and running 40 to 50 miles at speeeds of 65 to 70 mph then going and filling the tank back up. I'm thinking of removing the stop on the caps and going out 1/2 to 1 turn open to see what that does. As a last resort I'm going to remove them and clean the carbs and go through the whole carb tuning thing. My book says to start at 3 turns out . All suggetions or advice welcomed I hope to be able to get 40mpg. at least from what I've seen on this and other postings I should be getting at least 40mpg Thanks Norman

[TechTMW]

The pilot screws control only idle. Either you spend alot of time at idle, or your caluclations are somehow incorrect. By all means go through the carb tuning thing, but before you go there, make sure your valves are properly set. Your ideal mileage figures are also suspect. Many owners brag about how they are getting this or that mileage ... when they actually are not. They may be relying on their bike's odometer (Notoriously inaccurate) or they may just be embellishing the truth. In addition, 23 years is a long time for a bike to develop various differences from other bikes that are supposedly equal.

Your quest for better MPG is admirable, but if the bike is now running optimally I feel you may be wasting your time. If you lean out the bike in an effort to improve mileage, you may lean it out too much and cause severe overheating or galling of pistons.

[madmax]

A lot of the time carbureator problems aren't. You might want to get out the ol mecury sticks and synch. those carbs. You might want to check your plugs and timing. Good luck on the 40 MPG , I have never ever been able to get better than 38 with my GL1000.

[Norman]

I went and played all day with it again pilot jets,timing,valves,plugs,sync. the carbs. I think it might be the best I'm going to get is30 to 33mpg. I've set the valves .004 int. and .005 ex. got the timing on the mark. all carbs are within 2"hg. No brakes draging. I even went out and rode it 42.7 miles and came back put it on the center stand and filled to right up to where the 2" part starts on the filler neck same as when I started I used 1.369 gallons of gas regular that figures out to 31.19 mpg. I rode it at 70mph on the highway and its only 1 mile each way for my house to the highway. I guess if I want better mileage with this bike I will have to ride it slower.
Anyone have any ideas other than ride it. I still runs great even after I played with it : Thanks Norman

[madmax]

Norman, It sounds like that 1100 is doing ok. I doubt that my 1000 would get more than 31 MPG if I was riding 70MPH. I generally get about 37 or 38 MPG but most of that is running 45 to 55 MPH on these 2 lane twisty roads. Heck, if it ain't broke don't fix it. Sounds like you're ready to ride and enjoy!!