Hi guys, I recently bought myself a beautiful 1991 moto guzzi Targa, the only problem with the bike is the carbs need balancing and I have no idea how to do it, I am hoping you might know someone who could balance them for me and at the same time show me how for future reference, I live in Maidenhead and happy to pay cash for the job, thank you.
Does it run? If so take it to Baldrick, contact details in Gambalunga.
I doubt if you will get any replies from the Berkshire branch, it is a dead branch, they never post anything that is going on, they never write in the club mag, and they never look at the website 
You may be better off asking one of the surrounding club areas, like Oxford.
Good luck.
Not quite true as Chris posted details of the May meeting at the beginning of the month. As the previous Essex branch contact and the previous MGCGB branch coordinator I understand the pressures of having to post here and put material into Gambalunga. All of the branch contacts are volunteers. The biggest issue I found is that other members want others to do all the organising and just turn up. It can be very disheartening especially when you have a day job to run as well. After 6 years I gave up the Essex job, it is now being run by committee and a fine example it is too. The branch is strong and the meetings well attended.
Rather than post on here how it is a dead branch, rather ask Chris how you can help him get more folk to meetings and post stuff on here? If it is that easy to be negative about the branch here on the forum, it is just as easy to be positive and help them?
Thanks for your response Chris, but I don’t believe you could be more wrong. And I only have to look back over the previous posts to be proved right in that assumption. or maybe I should read the area section of the club mag to see what has been happening, or heaven forbid look in the events section. And I don’t like to mention the fact that they were apparently holding meetings at a pub that had been shut for a year.
But there you are, everything is hunky dory apparently. Still, mustn’t grumble 
Kev, I bow to your better knowledge on the matter. I haven’t been club branch organiser for over a year now so my information on this branch is not as current as yours. I only looked at the last post in the branch section and that was in May this year. The branch is dead, long live the branch.
Whether or not the local branch is mostly inactive doesn’t mean there isn’t someone local who could give a hand … ?
I think that if you are new to all of this then you are right to ask for a shoulder to look over. It is actually quite simple when you know what you’re doing, and I always think that I get better results from adjusting by feel than breaking out the monometer thingies.
Unfortunately, like Chris950s I am Essex branch so none too local either.
I have a 750T (same as Targa other than cosmetics).
There are small threaded blanking holes on the outside of the inlet manifold to connect whatever type of vacuum gauge you choose to use.
It is important to make sure the throttle cables lift the carbs at exactly the same time. Possibly a good idea to slip the carbs off the manifolds so you can see into the inlets, then jam the throttle in say a mid position and use the cable adjusters to get them the same lift. A common way with Triumph triples years ago was to use a nice smooth sided rod (shank of a drill bit or similar), and set each throttle slide down onto it. Use several different sizes to check the lift is even all the way.
Put the carbs back on, ensure that everything is done up nicely with no air leaks. Set the mixture and throttle stop screws the same amount out on each carb, then use the vacuum gauges, (whatever type you choose, not desperately expensive really), to get the tickover even. There are online versions of the manuals, I think you’ll find links on here somewhere.They will tell you what the correct idle speed is.
I have used a Carbtune set to balance the carbs, but it isn’t easy. The uneven firing on idle makes the rods jump up and down which is annoying to say the least. A very helpful member has suggested to me that I damp the device down by inserting short pieces of threaded rod, or cut down bolts into the hoses which apparently does even things out.
The other thing I have is a Gunson’s Colortune (forgive American spelling!) to set the right idle mixture setting.
To be honest, mine isn’t right yet, but I didn’t double check the throttle slides were lifting exactly together, must get around to it.
Lastly, if your bike has had the airbox replaced with pod filters then you may struggle to get it running just right.
Hi Tony,
The Carbtune setup should have a set of restrictors in the pipes. With these in place I’ve had no trouble balancing my V50.
Steve.
Hi Steve, what did you use for restrictors?
Hi,
I will look at the set up tomorrow (Thursday). From memory it’s a 1mm ID thick wall pipe that fits inside the rubber pipes. Have a look at this page, it shows how to make the restrictors.
Steve
Hello,
Before balancing the carbs. You must really set the valve clearances and check ignition timing. I have a Morgan carb tune the restrictors in my set are built in this is the metal rod type. The procedure I use is as follows. Set air mixture screws to correct number of turns out. You wind in fully then wind out. Don’t use excessive force. Then wind back (down) the throttle stop screws so they are not touching the slides. Then I open the throttle slightly and clamp the throttle in this open position by using mole grips on the throttle and resting against the brake lever. Start the bike fiddle with throttle mole grip setup so it is running at fast tick over. It might run horrible if your carbs are way out. Now adjust the cable adjusters at the top of the carb till the rods on the carb tune are level. Lock up throttle cable adjustment with the lock nut keeping rods level. Now stop engine. Undo mole grips. Screwup throttle stop screws equal amounts. You will feel when they are pushing the slides up. Start bike again. Now it may run fast or too slow depending on how much you screwed the throttle slides screws in. Observe rods in carbtune. Screw the throttle stop screws up or down on each carb to get rods level again and a good tick over speed. Now as a final check roll throttle open slowly rods should both rise at the same time. By the way don’t run the bike for more than 5 mins ish stationary it will get too hot. If you still cannot get a smooth tick over and a transition from throttle closed to open your problems may lie elsewhere. Un equal compression, air leaks in manifold.
On my old dial type balancing tool. I used these on the pipe to act as dampers.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FUEL-LINE-CLAMP-HOFFMAN-CLIP-HOFFMAN-CLAMP-NICKEL-COATED-BRASS-CLAMP-22MM-/141340510442
I confess to having one of these still hanging up in the garage and still use it very occasionally for balancing the carbs. A mercury filled manometer. I shall let my kids work out how to dispose of it after my passing!!
I too have one of these. It works beautifully.
Sometimes you just can’t beat the real thing!
David.
And I am reminded we used to play with that stuff in chemistry class at school.
And we are all still here 
Cheers Steve