Idle adjustment screw - ideas how to stop losing it?

GoldenMotor.com

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Aug 12, 2012
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New Brunswick
I lost my original idle adjust screw first few days riding. Replaced with a pen spring, and a screw from a hardware store that fits perfect. However, I have since lost the remade one I did, and am just using the screws.. came in a pack of 10 or 12....

What are some methods of keeping this damn screw from shaking out, I hate having to check it every 10 min of driving.. the spring helped it alot keep it in, but.. without the spring it shakes and unscrews pretty quick... ( within 20-30 min) but with the spring it still shakes out.... Would loclite blue ( removable) be handy for this once I had it adjusted right? Or is there a more around the house method..
 
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biknut

Well-Known Member
Sep 28, 2010
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Dallas
I lost my original idle adjust screw first few days riding. Replaced with a pen spring, and a screw from a hardware store that fits perfect. However, I have since lost the remade one I did, and am just using the screws.. came in a pack of 10 or 12....

What are some methods of keeping this damn screw from shaking out, I hate having to check it every 10 min of driving.. the spring helped it alot keep it in, but.. without the spring it shakes and unscrews pretty quick... ( within 20-30 min) but with the spring it still shakes out.... Would loclite blue ( removable) be handy for this once I had it adjusted right? Or is there a more around the house method..
I think it would be alright to use a little dab of blue, or even silicone. There are sealers you can find at auto stores that are a little more resistant to fuel, if that becomes a problem.

Another idea would be to find a stronger spring.
 

2door

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Sep 15, 2008
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Littleton, Colorado
You haven't told us what carburetor you have but if it is the popular NT just any screw won't work. The idle screw has a shank at the end of the threads that fits the slot in the slide or barrel. A standard machine screw will probably bind in that slot because the diameter is too big.
Also the spring is a lot stiffer than those in ball point pens. Loc-Tite would be the last thing I'd want to try. Look for a stiffer spring and you need to grind the end down smaller than the threads. Here's a photo for you.

Tom
 

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New Member
Aug 12, 2012
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New Brunswick
2 door thanks so much, I will make my own screw by dremeling of the threads at the end.. and i just picked up a couple packs of loctite blue today finally, was on sale for 6$ a tube!!

Thanks for the ideas guys! man i love this place...