Mikuni VM 26 SS Specs
by John Willis
Mikuni is a California-based manufacturer of carburetors especially popular for use in motorcycles and small engines -- particularly engines that use single carburetors. The Mikuni VM 26 SS is part of the Mikuni VM Round Slide line of carburetors, the most popular carburetor for single-cylinder motorcycles ever made, particularly for dirt bikes which often use single-cylinder, single-carb configurations. "SS" indicates it is a special edition of "Special Set" of the VM Roundslide.
The Venturi
The function of a carburetor is to mix fuel and air for combustion in the engine. This is done by introducing a fuel spray into air traveling into the engine. The air travels through a venturi, which is a large tube in the carburetor body. The throttle moves a slide that, when closed, stops the air/fuel mixture from flowing through the carburetor, and when open permits it to flow freely through the venturi. The diameter of the venturi is 26 mm across. Mikuni VM SS carburetors come in a variety of sizes. The digits "26" in the VM 26 SS indicate its size.
VM Special Set
The defining feature of the Mikuni VM series is a round slide. While the VM Round Slides come automatically on many motorcycles, they may also be a performance upgrade on motorcycles with a different stock carburetor. The "SS" VM Roundslides are a special edition or "Special Set." They come with factory-specified jetting and throttle valve for a specific application. VM SS carbs, in addition to coming in a variety of sizes, also come with either a left-hand or right-hand idle screw. Other than having optional left/right idle screws and factory specified adjustments, the VM 26 SS is essentially the same as the VM 26 Standard model.
Fuel Circuits and Air Adjustments
The VM26 SS, like all carburetors, modulates air by opening and closing the slide. The rev range is the lowest rpm (idle) to the highest rpm, and corresponds to the throttle position. The throttle is closed at idle. The more the throttle is opened, the higher the RPM. A pilot jet and adjustable air screw affect the fuel/air mixture from idle until the throttle is about one-quarter opened. The throttle valve controls mixture from one-eighth to one-half throttle. The jet needle/needle jet system controls the mid-rev range from one-quarter to three-quarter throttle. The air jet and main jet control the mixture from three-quarters to full-throttle. The final adjustment is choke, which opens an additional air circuit to help the engine start when it's cold. The choke makes the fuel/air mixture leaner.
References
Writer Bio
John Willis founded a publishing company in 1993, co-writing and publishing guidebooks in Portland, OR. His articles have appeared in national publications, including the "Wall Street Journal." With expertise in marketing, publishing, advertising and public relations, John has founded four writing-related ventures. He studied economics, art and writing at Portland State University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
