NEW Bing 36MM Carb Sticker Shock - $$Ouch!$$

[JCHubbard]

I have just finished setting up my other (second) 77 Penton 250GS6 for its upcoming maiden voyage this fall. 

Based on my initial impression and general overview of the Stock Bing 54/36/102 carb, the stock carb was a no-go due to the hairline cracks on the carb body, as indicated by the black magic marker marks in the attached pictures below. So, I immediately replaced it with a new Mikuni VM36. I shortened the Mik's air intake bell and installed a new airbox carb boot (thanks, Al B.). Great fit, starts up easily, and runs well throughout all the ranges. 

I have a stock Bing carb on my first 77 Penton 250GS6 and a couple of Maicos, and they are in great shape and work perfectly fine, so I have no reason to change at this point.  For the most part, I prefer to keep bikes as stock as possible.  I have several other well-used Bing 36 carbs in my parts bin, and I could probably cobble together a decent carb that would work reasonably well on the second 250.

Still, I thought, why not contact Bing International and see what they have? So I did.

Welp, here's their response regarding my request for a stock replacement carb for a 77 Penton 250GS6:

 The only carb available is a 54/36/109 clamp mount, no choke. It is $868.65 jetted as is. If you would like it jetted to your application, the jets, slide, and needle will be additional. UPS ground shipping would be $36.50.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
General Manager
Bing Carburetor
(970)541-7110

Ouch, Yikes!  Geez -- now THAT would've left a mark! I'll stick with the Mik on this! I know there's a bit of ongoing back-and-forth debate about Bing vs Mikuni. And, I would stick with the OEM carbs if they were better priced and more available. But in this case, uh, yeah...I can't justify paying that much for an OEM Bing carb. Whew!

[KJDonovan]

JC,  What is the OD of the spigot on the carb you have?  I may have an NOS one here.

Thanks,

Kevin

[Daniel P. McEntee]

  In reading about this subject over the years un articles and posts by knowledgeable people, I think the consensus is that the Bing has a better flow rate than the Mikuni, and if you were to replace it with a Mikuni, it might be best to move up to a 38mm. And I seem to remember someone refining a process to bore a 36.. Mikuni into a larger bore for a better flow rate?? I've slept too many times since then to be sure. The other answer is Lectron, but those are not legal in some classes? Interesting subject.
  Type at you later,
    Dan McEntee

[JCHubbard]

Kevin, the spigot OD is approx 46mm.

Dan, I tend to agree that the better flow rate is achieved with the Bing vs. Mikuni.  However, from my previous experience running on a Mik VM36 on my 81 KTM 250 GS (Reed valve) and several Maicos, I couldn't really tell the difference. 

What won me over with the Miks has been the ease of maintenance, tuning, and ease of starting. My 81 KTM's motor with the 36 Mik setup was superb. The only carb changes required was when I rode/raced at elevation. All I had to do was drop the needle jet to lean it out a bit, and then it was good to go.

I just dialed in the 77 Penton 250's jetting this weekend -- and I'm feeling pretty satisfied about its performance.  We'll see what happens when I go for a offroad test ride later this month.

If I were racing MX, I'd probably opt for the Bing or go with a Mik VM38. However, since 100% of my riding is in the woods, where low and midrange are where I live as a woods rider, I've stuck with the 36mm.

I even run the Mik VM36s on most of my Maicos (1969 Maico 360, 1971 Maico 400, 1979 Maico 250GS & 400 GS, 1970 Maico 400 [that I'm currently building, and a Mik VM34 on my 71 Maico 250). They've been pretty flawless.

My Bing carb'd bikes run fantastic as well, and until they don't, I'm going to stick with them. 

[G Ellis]

I might have a new one if still needed.