[SURVEYWATERS]

I just installed the Keyster kit and I'm having some real problems. The bike ran fine before the kit but the float needle was shot. I bought the kit and have since also purchased a #40 pilot since the kit comes w/ a #38. It runs on choke but not well and when the choke is removed there is a backfire through the carb. It also takes a while to return to idle when rev'd. I thought it may be an air leak so I replaced the intake manifold, didn't help. I have had it off three times now inspecting everything, it all seems right.I am wondering now if it's running rich and needs the needle lowered.



Has anyone else used these kits?

Is the jet really the size of a TK #116?

What needle clip setting have others used?

Anyone have suggestions on things to check/recheck?



1989 (all stock)

 

[jontow]

..? Your needle has the clip settings, is an 89, and takes a #116 jet?



I was under the impression the old style carbs (pre-2001ish) didn't have needle clip positions, and you just used washers (my 97 is this way). I can't comment on the Keyster #116 vs. TK/OEM #116, but if you've got a later carb the #116 is really not gonna work out.



I'm gonna start by guessing that its running extremely lean, since it runs with the choke on (which just dumps a tiny bit more fuel in). To me, that says its clogged or incorrectly jetted, or something mystically dumb is wrong (clogged petcock screens, broken time/space continuum: the usual suspects).



Try your old jets before you go too crazy, and if they work, order the jets that you know are supposed to go in it from Yamaha.



Oh, and I reserve the right to be completely wrong

 

[lizrdbrth]

Keyster kits have been a crapshoot. Be sure to report your findings once you figure out what went wrong.



The older carbs do in fact use either a 114 or 116 main. Whether or not the Keyster 116 translates to a TK 116 is anyone's guess, but if it does having the clip settings is a plus.

 

[jontow]

Oh.. so its the keyster needle that has clip positions? I like that. I can also confirm: the older carbs do indeed use sizing such as 114 or 116. My bike is running a #42 pilot and a #116 main at the moment, with fairly ok results: both jets are yamaha OEM parts.

 

[lizrdbrth]

I'd recomend laying the two needles side-by-side and using whichever needle groove corresponds closest to stock height as a starting point.



A word of caution: Be VERY careful taking carb advice on this board (or any other) as gospel. Make sure the mods being discussed pertain to YOUR carb. Most of the mods discussed here pertain to the later CV carb. If you replace/shim/ over-richen the pilot jet on an older slide carb it will quit like a rented horse.

 

[elime]

I bought some carb rebuild kit off ebay and it was all wrong for my '87 TW. I think it was a Keyster. When I installed all the parts it ran very poorly. Long story short I ended up only using the o-ring that came in the kit that they called a float bowl gasket and the float needle valve.



After a couple of weeks the new float needle valve started leaking. I took it apart and the rubber on the needle was cut in a circular manner. I looked inside the seat and it had a knife edge on it. I smoothed the seat / knife edge with a pointed rubber polishing thing and it has worked ever since.

Pointed rubber polishing thing.

 

[SURVEYWATERS]

Thanks for the responses guys. Right now the only thing keyster that could effect running is the main jet, the PMS, and the main needle. I replced the pilot with a TK; the needle was quite a bit different, it is tapered dramatically and is a noticeable amount shorter. I think I'll pull that lovely adjustable needle out and try OEM. I'll post the results.

 

[elime]

Check your PM. I sent you a message.

 

[qwerty]

As many people who have posted on this board about Keyster jet kit problems with TWs ... . Anything a Keyster kit is supposed to do for TWs can actually be done with Yamaha parts for about the same money when shopping online.



I've had several TWs brought to me for repair after a Keyster jet kit was installed. Hope you didn't drill the slide per the Keyster instructions. It's an expensive part to replace.