Copy carbs

[old boy racer]

Hi all I am after opinions and suggestions on copy carbs I have just ordered a Athena 170 kit which I intended to send off to Mick Abbey for porting so I am looking to replace the carb with a 32mm there seem to be a lot of copy Mikuni out and my question is are they any good or should I spend out for a genuine one it’s just my spending on my bike is adding up and if I can save a hundred quid by getting a copy without affecting performance then why not. Also has anyone got an opinion on v force reed block are they worth it and there are copy versions of those as well but I don’t fancy bit’s breaking off and going through my engine any thoughts on those would be appreciated

[Calum]

If you are looking at a copy carb then you're better off sticking with the stock Mikuni. Genuine carbs used can be had at a reasonable price £100< if you know where/how to look.

I run the VForce4 reed block on my Athena 170 that Mick ported for me.

[SpookDog]

@old-boy-racer

I’m guessing that 30+mm Mikuni carbs were fitted to loads of bikes. Should not be too hard to find…

The ‘copies’ are of dubious quality. I personally would not go near one…

[Calum]

They look good, then that's about where the compliments stop.

My brother has a Mikuni copy fitted to a bike he bought, it's not even machined consistently and therefore the pair of carburettors are of differing sizes. And they are not of the size stated as advertised.

Can get a quality Dellorto 32mm (As found on the TZR Belgardas [which ran a modified DTR 3MB engine]) for £125 BIN or auction.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/115856221843?hash=item1af991a693:g:LzAAAOSwl4Nka7hK&amdata=enc%3AAQAIAAAAwPLeVElkbz%2Ft13AFUz1VQ1pI3awyPAjvFG1IplEs%2Ff%2FP8qNqCtVvx1%2FflldKWmnSRgKPQ%2Bk0IpqBzNPTxfwVSL8EIFclaIJcsa17%2FZpw1K0lHTjWhPusuh3TjpgAo0FJ3NhzobG3UPGR4LO8KLUdDAHnbUsEKB%2Flv2JtEUvTTbZpGH%2FUXyjDW2RzWk4LD5mXHBz%2F1DdHCBp1ojJm5tlAIveAhrDZpMQrzB2l0%2BKg3W5suGoS9brciYqdmrsLFiozxw%3D%3D|tkp%3ABk9SR8C2gc2qYg

[BEng1968]

But these carbs are not made to run on the same angle as the standard DT125 carb (TM28SS) I believe, does this not cause a problem. Also does it fit into the standard carb rubbers front and back. I was looking as something like this myself for my DT200WR (crank/ head/ barrel into a dt125 case) conversion.

[SpookDog]

@BEng1968

The angle isn’t ideal but in reality doesn’t affect running. I used to run 30mm dellorto carbs on lambrettas and Vespas . They used to sit at an angle but run fine