I am thinking of replacing my carb. I understand that Lancers Performance -36mm Mikuni VM round slide carburetor and Savage-Robs -Amal Mk2 are both very efficient at improving performance. I would like peoples thoughts on the Mikuni TM36-68 Flat Slide Carburetor 36mm PumpCarb.

verslagen1 wrote on 12/06/12 at 11:24:28:

Perhaps the wrong analogy to use with a biker...  I know I love the long twisty roads!  

Looking at the pic closely It would appear our stock cable can be used.

I don't remember the details of the throttle cable attachment on the TM carb and am not home where I can check the manuals, but it looks (parts diagram online) to be similar to the VM carb and the stock LS650 cable will not work on it.  Even if you can make it work I would suggest having a new cable made to fit your "model year" LS650 and the TM carb specifically, if you decide to go with that carb.  The throttle action will be much smoother, giving you better control.
I have Barnett make custom cables for my carb kits, with exact throttle connections for each of the 3 model types used on the LS650.
Motion Pro, sold through Sudco and other dealers, also makes custom cables but I've not used them so don't know whether they have the specifics on the "model year throttle ends" we need.  You would have to talk with them.
It does look like the main and pilot jets are of the same group but I don't sizes they are.  You will very likely need to change them, just as required on the VM carb.  The needle jet and jet needle are different than on the VM, so I cannot suggest anything there.  I just don't know what the needs will be with the TM on our engine.
In totally form, the TM will flow a little more than a VM in the low and half way through the mid throttle range, but beyond that there is no difference.  A VM with a UFO installed will out perform the TM in the low to mid range.
You just have to weigh the costs and expected amount of work you will need to do ....( LOL ... Which always turns out to be more than anticipated ) but that is half the fun in finding out how things work.
Getting it mounted is the easy part; working out the jetting is where the grunt work comes in.  It is one of those "Patience Grasshopper" things.  

You should buy mine. It comes with jets.


--Steve

I couldnt find a pic of that side. cant see where the fuel hose connects.

paulmarshall wrote on 12/07/12 at 20:00:32:


It looks to me like the connection for the fuel hose is hidden behind that white knob.  It is on the side of the float bowl and the connection angles down and to the left in the photo.

I have a TM36 for my build but it is not the pumper so the cable comes straight in the top somewhat similar to a VM set up.  I had a custom cable made by Motion Pro.  They were great to deal with.  I also however changed to a CR throttle housing for the twist grip since I am running 7/8" clubman bars.  

Your set up is for a push pull (two cable) set up.  I would not recommend running that with less than two cables.  For that you would want to look to a different throttle housing.  I would suggest talking with MotionPro as they have many housings and can set you up with a cable once they know the carb and the throttle housing they are working with.  From there they will also need to know how long you want the throttle cable outer sleeve.  The throttle housing and carb allow them to calculate how much free cable sticks out of the sleeve lenght that you give them.