[Masteryota]

I had wondered about the difference in flat vs round slide carbs, and had the opportunity to research them when looking a replacement for my RM80. Same deal, carb parts only available through dealer, and would be more to get the 4 parts I need than to replace with new after market unit. Only difference is original is flat, replacement is round.

Round slide carbs seem to offer similar results to the flat, but are easier to tune and keep tuned. The flats have a little better low-mid response, but can drive a man to drink trying to get them dialed in, and then the season changes, and start all over again. I had already bought the carb for the ATC engine before this, and it made me curious about what I had done, and if I made a mistake. The other issue I saw was in severe dust, the rounds stick a lot easier than the flatties. More surface area for debris to get lodged in, I guess. Either way you go, make sure you have more than one source for parts, or snag something off a common engine.