Afternoon...Just picked up an older bipe with a saito 50. Took a little to get her started. Once started I could run it for a little (30 seconds) and then it dies. Same if I go wot and then bring the throttle back. Wondering if anyone knows of a good starting point for the needles.
Thanks in advance

If it's been sitting around for awhile, I'd suggest that you flush the fuel system completly before trying much. Pull the high speed needle out and flush through the carb, then CLEAN the needle off real good and reinstall it, turning it all the way in ( DON'T bottom it out hard ) then back out 1 1/2 turns. It should start there and run, then you will have to adjust ( a little at a time), probably in ( lean ) just a bit.

It'a a waste of a little fuel but when I flush a plane, I fill the tank then hook up to the exhaust line and just pump all the way through the tank & carb. ( needle out ). I've seen the fuel go from a trickle, " POP " and a nice stream , must have been a mouse. ENJOY !!! RED

Good plan. It has been about a year or so since it had been run last. I'll do just that. Do you have to worry about the throttle or low speed needles?

I carefully count the settings for the HS and LS needles then remove them. Give a flush and pass a pipe cleaner soaked in lighter fluid or charcoal starter through and give a little scrub. Replace needles and count out the old setting.

Can be amazing the goop you see on the cleaner if the motor has been sitting around, especially if it was run with castor.

For HS needle setting, open throttle all the way and connect a length of tubing to the fuel nipple. Screw needle all the way in. Blow gently into tubing, opening needle slowly. Quit when you first start to get free air flow. You are at or close to optimum setting.

For LS needle, open throttle about 1/3 Close needle then advance and blow like before. Quit when you first start to get a whiff of air flow.

And be sure to inspect your fuel lines and tank for needle holes in tubing, stiffened fuel line with non clunking clunk, etc.

Tom

I wouldn't touch the low speed needle at this time. To many people start playing with it when they DON'T need to. Just flush it as I said and set the high speed needle like I said for now. If it doesn't work try something else.
If it starts and just sort of runs then as said above, pull the tank & inspect, check and replace old fuel lins and try again. ENJOY !!! RED