Re: What is the function of the reeds?
Reeds function as "intake" valves on a 2 stroke engine. As the piston goes "up" on it's compression stroke, fual and air is drawn through the carbs and into the crankcase through the one way "flapper" valves (reeds) located just behind the carbs. As the piston is mov'd down by the burning of fuel in the cylinder, the air/fuel mixture is pushed from the crankcase into the intake ports and into the cylinder, ready for the compression stroke again. The reeds allow fuel and air to go into the crankcase but prevent that mixture from escaping back out the way it came into the crankcase.
