Fitting different Carbs to a 650 Tornado?

[NZGlyn]

I'm a 54 year old with skinny, not too strong forearms. I've had a Guzzi Spada with square slide carbs on in my youth and ended up selling it since they hurt my arms and shoulders so much with their stiff action. I've got new cables etc on the 650 but can tell it's going to be similar. I'm thinking of putting on CV carbs, preferably linked. Those off a 500 Kawasaki twin look like they may work and are nice and compact. Otherwise 2 single CV's with separate cables would be an improvement. I like my bikes to be easy to use and don't mind moving away from stock a little to do this. Has anyone ever fitted different carbs? Cheers Glyn.

[bjb]

Glyn

Only heard of people replacing with round slide Dell Orto, PHB PHM etc.
Not sure there is a lot of room under the tank and frame for anything to tall.

All the square slide VHB on 650s & 2502c have very strong springs, and you need a strong wrist action. The triple carb on the 900Sei is lighter, and maybe is due to the lever system at the top.

Barry

[Engenia]

Why not try a lighter spring?
That's what I did on my first bike, a GS750. I chose the lightest spring that still closed the throttle when let go.

[NZGlyn]

I think they need strong springs due to the square slides having a high contact area. I still think a set of CV carbs are the way to go. I've bought 2 carbs off a Suzuki GN250 which I am going to try and fit. With richer jetting and K&N's I think they will be OK. I commute on a GN each day and the carbs on those bikes never give issues. I'd like to link them but will prob keep with a twin cable operation for the time being.

[bjb]

Glyn
Let us know how you go.
There was someone in NZ a few years ago (15+) who did try round slide Dell Ortos' on a 650S, cannot remember who it was (Think it was someone in Whangarei). Only trouble is the 650 fuel tank is rather small and bigger carbs mean less range.
There were a few 650s over Hawkes Bay (Keith Turner raced one) and a few in the South Island, mainly Invercargill & Dunedin.
Barry

[NZGlyn]

Yep I will do. I will probably have to make new manifolds so that they just fit under the tank etc. Modern CV carbs seem to give much better gas mileage and don't seem to be that down on overall performance. I fitted a weber carb to an XZ 550 Yamaha not too long ago and that worked well so I'm always keen to try new ideas. Will certainly keep the post going. I have to get it certified on the road first. To do that everything must be pretty much well standard. So it's on a back burner till then. Got to get that sprag clutch sorted first. Thanks for those contacts.