SmartCarb Flat Slides-Improving a Vintage Ducati Bevel Twin, Blog #2

One major challenge of Flat-Slide Carbs in general is Tuning. As a result, when I discovered the SmartCarbs from Technology Elevated, ease of tuning was a key concern and then we put them to the test. What we have discovered at Italian Iron Classics as an Authorized Dealer is that the Technology Elevated product is not simply a means to deliver air/fuel mixture but in their own words, a “Precision Air/Fuel Metering Instrument capable of High Resolution Adjustments in engine performance” and we concur.

We set the “base-line” with the help of the factory. Top end mixtures are controlled by the grind angle of the metering rod so selecting the correct Metering Rod is crucial. As a result of our thorough analysis, we selected the best Metering Rod for our 81 Ducati 900 ss MHR Bevel Twin Cylinder, 4-Stroke engine.

The process of changing Metering Rods is surprisingly easy but is not a task that will be required of our customers. We used numerous Metering Rod options that are available to test engine performance throughout the entire range of rich to lean settings. Based upon our research, there appears to be at least 140 different settings that we explored. Our research has been shared with the factory so that we can ensure that our customers can efficiently and effectively, “dial-in” their SmartCarbs.

Technology Elevated has taken the `ease of testing and tuning their SmartCarb Flat-Slide Carbs to an entirely new level. SmartCarbs do not have power jets, accelerator pumps or needles as with traditional carbs. The result is superior as well as simple operation and tuning. What aides this simple operation I am told is that the Smart Carb utilizes a “single circuit metering system”. What does that mean? The single circuit system means just that. There is only one point of fuel delivery, which is the metering rod and nozzle. No additional circuitry, such as a pilot system, nozzle jet, main power jet is ever needed.

The engineers at Technology Elevated state that “The SmartCarb is, therefore, a precision air/fuel metering instrument capable of “high-resolution” adjustments for very fine tuning of your engine.” The Dyno Runs posted in the last Blog and below shows how linear and powerful the torque curve is as it relates to the consistent power delivery of our Bevel Drive Ducati. It also compares 40 mm Del Orto’s versus our 38 mm SmartCarbs. When set up properly, the SmartCarbs offers substantial increases in performance, fuel economy, altitude compensation, and a massive decrease in hydrocarbon emissions. 4 Win’s!!

Suffice it to say, there is an ease and a massive breadth of tuning capability within these Flat Slide Carbs to customize your specific application. There is one “High Resolution” adjustment screw at the top of each carb for ease and precision of each adjustment. The clicker adjuster raises or lowers the fuel metering rod within and is independent of the slide thus allowing for more or less fuel to be drawn up the nozzle and past the metering rod. To adjust, turn off the engine, open up the throttle fully and turn the adjuster knob 1 or 2 clicks (to a maximum of 10 clicks). As the factory notes, small adjustments can have large impacts on tuning and performance. Turn Right for Richer and Left for Leaner.  

There is an Idle Set Screw on the side of our billet SmartCarbs that refine low speed and idle adjustments. Adjustments can be made by hand to raise or lower the slide cutaway that allows for more or less airflow and enables precise tuning of the carb at Idle. 

Additionally, there is a very good Owners Manual included with each carb purchased to aide you in the set-up of your SmartCarb Flat-Slides. Technology Elevated and Italian Iron Classics are happy to answer any questions and to assist in the mounting of your SmartCarb system. Feel free to send me questions at Italianiron@msn.com. Back to being the test rider which is the most fun!!