Why 4 carbs for an inline 4 MC engine?

classic Classic list List threaded Threaded
2 messages Options
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Why 4 carbs for an inline 4 MC engine?

LukeM
Administrator
I got to thinking about why MC manufacturers used individual carbs for each cylinder.  In my mind, it would make for easier overall adjustments to use a single carb and the appropriate manifold.  Granted, if the carb were to fail, the bike would not run at all, where if an individual carb goes out, it will run on the others.
Maybe it was a space issue.

Comments?
Luke M
Used to have a 1979 CB750L, sold it as a parts bike, now riding a slightly modified 1984 VT700C. Network/Field Engineer. Central OH, USA, Earth, Sol System, Milky Way Galaxy, Universe.
Reply | Threaded
Open this post in threaded view
|

Re: Why 4 carbs for an inline 4 MC engine?

Re-run
Administrator
Well I think part of the reason is that, with 1 carb, it is hard to keep the intakes all the same length. Without intake runners matching, it apparently resulted in rougher running and less performance.
You could also tune each cylinder directly to compensate for wear and changes in vacuum.
Fuel flow could be metered more accurately too, see performance.
These are my thoughts. I have not done 1 carb on a 4 so I can only speculate.
The ride IS the adventure. The destination is just to get gas!