What should I set the Pilot Jet Setting at Sea Level

Grok States:  

For a 2021 Tao Tao TBR7 with a 30mm Mikuni clone carburetor, stock exhaust, and foam open air cleaner at sea level, the pilot jet setting is typically recommended to be a #25 pilot jet. This is based on advice for stock TBR7 bikes at sea level, though slight adjustments might be needed depending on your specific setup and conditions. 

You may need to fine-tune the air-fuel mixture screw (usually starting at 1.5–2 turns out) and monitor plug color or performance to ensure optimal running. If you experience lean or rich conditions (e.g., hesitation or bogging), consider testing a #22.5 or #27.5 pilot jet and adjust accordingly. Always verify with a plug chop or consult a local mechanic for precise tuning.

Further Thoughts from Grok:

Glad you settled on the #22.5 pilot jet for your 2021 Tao Tao TBR7! Since you’re looking to adjust the air-fuel mixture and confirmed the mixture screw is on the fuel side of the 30mm Mikuni clone carburetor, here’s how to proceed at sea level with your stock exhaust and foam open air cleaner:

The fuel mixture screw (typically on the engine side of the carb, accessible without removing it) controls the fuel flow for idle and low throttle. Since you suspect it’s too rich (likely indicated by symptoms like black spark plugs, rough idle, or excessive exhaust smoke), you’ll want to lean it out.

1. Locate the Screw: Find the fuel mixture screw on the carburetor’s fuel side (often a small flathead screw near the carb’s base).
2. Baseline Setting: Start with the screw at 1.5 turns out from fully seated (turn clockwise until gently seated, then back out 1.5 turns). This is a common starting point for Mikuni clones.
3. Fine-Tune:
   • Warm up the engine to operating temperature.
   • With the bike idling, turn the screw in (clockwise) in small increments (e.g., 1/8 or 1/4 turn) to reduce fuel flow, pausing to observe idle smoothness and response.
   • If the idle speeds up, you’re leaning it correctly. Aim for the highest stable idle speed, then adjust the idle screw (if separate) to bring the idle back to normal (~1,400–1,600 RPM for the TBR7).
   • If the bike stalls or idles poorly when turning in, you’ve gone too lean—back the screw out slightly.
4. Test Range: Most TBR7s with a #22.5 pilot jet run well with the fuel screw between 1 to 2.5 turns out. If you’re beyond 2.5 turns and it’s still rich, you might need a smaller pilot jet (e.g., #20), but since #22.5 is working, focus on the screw first.
5. Verify: After adjusting, ride at low throttle to check for hesitation or surging (lean) or bogging (rich). Check the spark plug after a ride—it should be tan, not black (rich) or white (lean).

If symptoms persist (e.g., still rich after reaching 1 turn out), double-check for other issues like a clogged air filter, float height, or needle valve wear, as these can mimic mixture problems. Let me know how it runs after tweaking or if you need help with other carb settings!