is pulling out the needle from the carbs a good way to check stockness?

[mtc]

lazy, without pulling the carbs, if the needle has no grooves for adjustments, and not shimmed, would it be an indicator that the main, pilot and whatever jets are stock? I am more curious than anything.


it was hell getting the airbox in, don't really want to do it again, soon if i can help it, i know second time around should be easier, but easier is not = to easy

stock exhaust, stock air-box fj1100

the po had k and n pods, i stuck an airbox back in , runs great and better, starts up with very little twist of the choke, off the choke quick in 60 degree temp, in under a minute ( rich? but did that with the pods sooo..idk) , but idles at 1200-1400... smooth,


blip throttle no hanging , no dipping,  goes back to idle

i want to monitor richness, knowing jet sizes don't mean that much to me, the bike runs great,  no smoking plumes or unburnt black soot, that i know of.....sounds great

can i triangulate the reading of plugs and looking at the needle for proper air fuel mixing?

or is there such a thing as wide-band meters for motorcycles?

[balky1]

lazy, without pulling the carbs, if the needle has no grooves for adjustments, and not shimmed, would it be an indicator that the main, pilot and whatever jets are stock? I am more curious than anything.


it was hell getting the airbox in, don't really want to do it again, soon if i can help it, i know second time around should be easier, but easier is not = to easy

stock exhaust, stock air-box fj1100

the po had k and n pods, i stuck an airbox back in , runs great and better, starts up with very little twist of the choke, off the choke quick in 60 degree temp, in under a minute ( rich? but did that with the pods sooo..idk) , but idles at 1200-1400... smooth,


blip throttle no hanging , no dipping,  goes back to idle

i want to monitor richness, knowing jet sizes don't mean that much to me, the bike runs great,  no smoking plumes or unburnt black soot, that i know of.....sounds great

can i triangulate the reading of plugs and looking at the needle for proper air fuel mixing?

or is there such a thing as wide-band meters for motorcycles?

Unscrew the back part of the subframe, remove just the top bolts, and swing it backwards together wit the airbox. Now you have plenty of space to work. Getting the rubbers on the carbs and that stupid breather hose, well, that will remain the same PIA. 
PO could have left the needles and changed other jets.

[T Legg]

I heat up my carburetor boots with a blow drier

that makes them soft and pliable and they slip on easily.

[mtc]

thanks for the tips gents, but trying to avoid messing with the airbox and removing the carbs at the moment; too labor intensive for now,since it runs ok....will use the blow dryer next time