Low End Power Loss - 1988 Ninja 750

[stlstephens]

Everyone,

I am fighting the good fight with a gas leak. I thought I had it all taken care of over the weekend...but the little booger came back again. In the process of fixing it, my 88' NINJA 750 has lost low end power. I had the carbs off and cleaned the floats out. But did nothing else with the carbs. I don't have the air box fully hooked up to the carbs since I wanted to make sure the leak was gone. Could this be the cause of the power loss? It still has plenty at the high RPM range. But in 1st and 2nd gear it will not even lift the forks up much. Just seems really flat in the low end range.

I have all new gaskets and a pet **** rebuuild on the way for the gas leak. Hopeing this finally stops it.

Thank,
Shawn

[alextg]

Everyone,

I am fighting the good fight with a gas leak. I thought I had it all taken care of over the weekend...but the little booger came back again. In the process of fixing it, my 88' NINJA 750 has lost low end power. I had the carbs off and cleaned the floats out. But did nothing else with the carbs. I don't have the air box fully hooked up to the carbs since I wanted to make sure the leak was gone. Could this be the cause of the power loss? It still has plenty at the high RPM range. But in 1st and 2nd gear it will not even lift the forks up much. Just seems really flat in the low end range.

I have all new gaskets and a pet **** rebuuild on the way for the gas leak. Hopeing this finally stops it.

Thank,
Shawn

I have the same problem with my gpz400r. But I seem to notice that it happened maybe due to added turns out of the pilot air screws when I cleaned the carbs. Whereas before, there was good acceleration from 1st and 2nd gears prior to my opening up the screws. I will try to return it to factory specs of 2 turns out from closed position as it may have become a little lean.

[SlowNinja]

Yes, the airbox is actually designed to aid low end velocity and torque, coupled with the somewhat restrictive exhaust. If it was not hooked up properly, you were not gaining those benefits. You'd see the same thing if you ever changed to pod air filters. Manufactured airboxes are preferable on the street if you'd like to retain your low end. Substitute something else if you'd rather see your power on the top end, like in racing. I test rode a 750R with pod filters and a 4-1 pipe and it had no low end to speak of. Lots of pull from the top end, though.