Please Help Me... I'm New Here !!!!

[zoro]

Yes! Now your ready for plug reading 101! Click on the photo and click on it again and read and follow this procedure carefully. If you dont understand something, ask and somebody will explain. Your about to gain a higher understanding of internal cumbustion (physics of the flame) PS. I hope you dont mind pulling those carbs at least two more times before getting them right! This is the area of vintage bike ownership that will either break your resolve to FULLY understand your bike......OR,....You will hunger for a more complete understanding of the physics involved in knowing that each cylinder is burning an optimum air/fuel mixture and that ALL the systems of that bike between your legs is running and operating correctly because YOU made it so! Good Luck! And do keep us updated! Oh, The guide below is a Sudco 4th edition Mikuni carb tuning manual,(new school) for "OGs" like me!

[Kawafan]

Originally Posted by zoro

Thank you for the compliments on the bike! These bikes are alot like a beautiful woman! They easily become obsessions! Cant get enough! You never reach a point of "complete satisfaction" and they demand constant attention! You really must have a love for internal combustion, two wheeled mechanical wonders that these old Kaws (girls) represent in every way! They are always a work in progress! Just when you buy new tires (shoes) for her, shell want chrome (jewelry) and she always needs touch-up paint (make-up) just when you think your there, she needs a new dress (seat cover) and the new dress leads to a (make-over) new pipes and a paint job! Then its time to tune the carbs (again) upgrade the brakes, and lines (she must keep up appearances!) and it goes on and on........But! When you take her out for a ride and when one of those "pretty late model v-twins" roll up next to her, she will BLOW THEM AWAY! And talk about turning heads, All those pretty v-twin riders come around and pay their respects to her and you for being the lucky guy that "old girl" is going home with! Yeah......Its an obsession!

Zoro,does your wife knows about this relationship?!!!

[Newbie_3131]

well, I went for a ride today, ahhhhh that 70 mph mark!!!! Ok-Ok, I know I can focus. Ok. From the top: the first time I tried to re-jet i changed only the bottom jets, no adjustment to the needle at all, with the Pod filters and no tail pipe installed the bike would not even start, I tried and kicked and did it all, no start, so I took those jets off and replaced them with new (ORIGINAL SIZED) jets, re-installed tail pipe/baffle bike started, road tested, ran ok for the most part but hesitated at the top of the throttle. bike hardly reached 60 mph, sometimes wouldn't even go that fast, if I tried to keep the throttle open, the bike would hesitate to a stall. NOW: (see previous post) I adjusted the needle up 2 notches (up 1 slot plus a washer) re-installed those oversized jets, now if I start the bike with the choke lever all the way up, the RPM goes really high. much higher than before, this makes me think I might be too rich in the bottom end, bike is hard to take off from a standstill, if I don't over rev, she'll stall right out, mid range on the throttle is excellent, full throttle is like popping but has enough power to reach about 70 mph (traffic did not cooperate but) it felt like I had power to keep going, but the bike is not running smooth, now, here's the pickle, I could be lean at the top and rich at the bottom or vice-versa so how do I read the plugs??? the next thing is, I live in north jersey, and am a little concerned about cops giving a hard time over the noise (this thing is very loud) so I am thinking of putting the tail pipe cap (without the baffle guts) back on to quite it down a little, and see how it will affect the mixture, I think i might be too lean all together, putting that cap on might help although there is no real restriction only a smaller outlet hole. Roadtest again tomorrow, I'll post update

[zoro]

Did you "Bench sync" the carbs?

[Newbie_3131]

yes, bench synch I did. I noticed now being more informed and more confortable that the last carb on the right appeared to have been dissasembled before, and that same throttle valve was way out of synch. I have the same exhaust as you (except doesn't look as pretty) I am thinking of putting the cap back in (withouth the actual baffle) depending on how it sounds I might test drive it and make final adjustments from there

[zoro]

Very good! The high rpm during full choke is normal! Adjust the choke to bring the rpm down once the engine fires and make adjustments untill its warm. The cap on the exhaust is a good idea, tune the carbs with the cap in. Do keep us updated, Im probably as excited as you are! Cant wait to hear about your first "V-Twin Kill"!

[Newbie_3131]

I AM PSYCHED man !!! I am droping the seat off by the upholstery place tomorrow (wait till u see what I got in mind) I am also having my battery exchanged (new one i bought has 1 dead cell only holds 10V- charging system checked out OK) I intend to take a happy long ride on sunday and probably take 1 or two more rides after that, then take a look at those plugs. BY THE WAY... I forgot to mention you guys were right on point with the front brakes, and you were right: I AM SUPRISED to see what brake fluid can turn into.... I'll give you an update and maybe some pics once she's finally put together

[Newbie_3131]

hey zoro: r those cafe style bars you've got on ur lady or a straight bar? looks nice, I wanna change mine once I get it running right, I gotta change the oil and seals on the fork so I figure I do it all at once

[zoro]

Theyre called "Superbike" bars, $15.00 at Z1 Enterprises.(not including shipping) Good idea on the fork seals. Be concise on the refill amounts, its critical for front stability!

[danielroca]

Originally Posted by Newbie_3131

hey zoro: r those cafe style bars you've got on ur lady or a straight bar? looks nice, I wanna change mine once I get it running right, I gotta change the oil and seals on the fork so I figure I do it all at once

you could also use some clubman style bars. Their not that expensive either. all over ebay.

[zoro]

Originally Posted by Newbie_3131

yes, bench synch I did. I noticed now being more informed and more confortable that the last carb on the right appeared to have been dissasembled before, and that same throttle valve was way out of synch. I have the same exhaust as you (except doesn't look as pretty) I am thinking of putting the cap back in (withouth the actual baffle) depending on how it sounds I might test drive it and make final adjustments from there

Leave the baffle intact without the fiberglass. It stabilizes flow without too much resistance. Tune the carbs with the baffle in. Baffle out for combat only!

[Newbie_3131]

well right now I only have the end cap on there, U think I should put the baffle pipe in too??? I"m not too crazy about noise, in the sense that I dont want cops ticketing me every other week, but I also wanna get that performance (and some sound, riding that thing with the baffle assembled was almost like riding a bicycle)

[kawpaul]

Originally Posted by zoro

Leave the baffle intact without the fiberglass. It stabilizes flow without too much resistance. Tune the carbs with the baffle in. Baffle out for combat only!

Back in my younger days we used to ride those old xl type dirt bikes and a couple had only the downpipe and no muffler. Too noisy for me so I used a small baffle from a 2 stroke pipe that fit right inside the pipe. Gave it a nice throaty sound without excess noise and offered a clean look to boot.

Originally Posted by Newbie_3131

well right now I only have the end cap on there, U think I should put the baffle pipe in too??? I"m not too crazy about noise, in the sense that I dont want cops ticketing me every other week, but I also wanna get that performance (and some sound, riding that thing with the baffle assembled was almost like riding a bicycle)

You telling me an aftermarket 4 into 1 is whisper quiet?

My bike has stock mufflers and has a bit of sound. Actually a nice meaty sound which was a pleasant suprise as I had been thinking about working them for a bit of noise. Grind the rivets, pull the baffles, rework them, and reinstall for a nice factory clean look. May still do depending on how loud it turns out to be.

[zoro]

Im not understanding, my baffle and end cap are one piece about 16-18 inches long (originally) wrapped in coarse fiberglass, it fits in the megaphone.

[zoro]

Originally Posted by Newbie_3131

well right now I only have the end cap on there, U think I should put the baffle pipe in too??? I"m not too crazy about noise, in the sense that I dont want cops ticketing me every other week, but I also wanna get that performance (and some sound, riding that thing with the baffle assembled was almost like riding a bicycle)

Heres the deal, you can have performance "and" a reletively quiet pipe, the late model "can" exhausts are a case point in that fact. On these old school megaphone exhausts you can change cylinder burn from rich to lean simply by pulling the baffle. Thats why I advise tuning the carbs with the baffle in. Its a thin line between rich and lean and if Im going to favor one condition over the other, Im going to favor the rich side because.....I LOVE THE SOUND of a screaming inline 4 into 1 @ 9000 rpms with the baffle out! And when Im rocking that 1015, shes on the edge of lean and making maximum horsepower. When Im on an extended run I put the baffle in and know shes running cool and happy. You dont want to stress those valves with too much heat (lean) or too much carbon (rich).

[StarGate]

Originally Posted by zoro

Im not understanding, my baffle and end cap are one piece about 16-18 inches long (originally) wrapped in coarse fiberglass, it fits in the megaphone.

The baffle and end cap on my kerker 4-1 were separate pieces. I ran it for a long time with just the end cap but it was loud. With the way that sound carries at night, in this small town (less than 3k people), if I opened the throttle up it could be heard by the cops on the other side of town.

[zoro]

Originally Posted by Newbie_3131

well right now I only have the end cap on there, U think I should put the baffle pipe in too??? I"m not too crazy about noise, in the sense that I dont want cops ticketing me every other week, but I also wanna get that performance (and some sound, riding that thing with the baffle assembled was almost like riding a bicycle)

Heres the deal, you can have performance "and" a reletively quiet pipe, the late model "can" exhausts are a case point in that fact. On these old school megaphone exhausts you can change cylinder burn from rich to lean simply by pulling the baffle. Thats why I advise tuning the carbs with the baffle in. Its a thin line between rich and lean and if Im going to favor one condition over the other, Im going to favor the rich side because.....I LOVE THE SOUND of a screaming inline 4 into 1 @ 9000 rpms with the baffle out! And when Im rocking that 1015, shes on the edge of lean and making maximum horsepower. When Im on an extended run I put the baffle in and know shes running cool and happy. You dont want to stress those valves with too much heat (lean) or too much carbon (rich).

[Newbie_3131]

Originally Posted by StarGate

The baffle and end cap on my kerker 4-1 were separate pieces. I ran it for a long time with just the end cap but it was loud. With the way that sound carries at night, in this small town (less than 3k people), if I opened the throttle up it could be heard by the cops on the other side of town.

this is the same system I've got (I was trying to think of the name) and I am thinking of installing the baffle back without the fiber glass, sounds like a good compromise between performance and reasonable sound level. Unfortunately, I sent my battery out to get replaced, and my seat to be upholstered so I am out of comision hoping to get everything by friday (although I doubt it)

you know, every time I get together with this thing it teaches me something. the trouble is, it seems every time I learn something it costs me money. My tach stopped working, I checked the cable thinking there was some sort of magnetic/AC voltage generating sending unit (like a speedo on a car) only to find out there was a mechanical shaft actually rotating inside that cable, going up to the head, I thought that was interesting. oh yeah, mine is broken, so I guess i gotta order a new one. Any how, I post update later...

[zoro]

"Kerker" is a is a good pipe! Baffle in is a good idea. And yes these older bikes can be expensive at first. The expense tapers off though, and your practically there. I REALLY like your bike! I like the spoked wheels too!

[Newbie_3131]

OK, here's the latest: first thing first, I took my practice-test on friday and passed!! yay!!! I am now a licensed rider (which will make road testing a lot easier, before I was only allowed to ride with a licensed rider next to me) NOW< BACK TO THE BIKE: I am entering the point where trial and error will probably be the only way to get it running right, as you guys know, once I achieve the proper mixture the LAST thing I'd want to do is to make any changes o the exhaust system that would affect the mixture, so I decided the best thing to do was to decide how loud I wanted the bike to be, leaving the baffle as it was, was not an option for me, no fun. so I removed all the guts, and placed only the tailpipe back in (which acted as a megaphone) man that thing was loud!!! so I put the end cap back on without the baffle or the fiberglass, sounded more like what I wanted to hear, then tried to put only the baffle, without the fiberglass and wasn't so thrilled so I took the baffle back out, my Chromed headlight and gauge covers are here and installed, Seat is at the upholstery place till wed and the replacement battery is going back in tomorrow, I actually strapped some packing foam where the seat is supposed to be in case I get a chance to ride before wed, I'll post some pics once I get everything squared away, tach cable is on order, Oh, did I mention the cam end seals/caps are leaking oil, they are here as well, man, I know I'm almost done (or at least I think I am) but this thing has taken a lot of work...