Battery vs. Mufflers vs. Air Filters vs. Jets

[frogman]

http://www.dansmc.com/spark_plugs/spark_plugs_catalog.html

See if any of that makes sense then try a chop and see what you get. I had the same issues with my rig when I took the old pipes off and put some mac shorties on. My air filters were plugged and even with the free-er flowing exhaust my plugs came out black with just a bit of brown in the center. I pulled the plugs cleaned them well, then pulled the air filters and did a chop and they came back way lean.

A chop is when you take the bike out run it up to the RPM (mid-range, full throttle, w/e) you want to check at and hold it there for 8-10 seconds. Then pull in the clutch and shut the motor down and coast to a stop without letting the clutch engage. Then whip out your plug wrench and pull the plugs and see what you get. Take pics put back together and compare with the pictures on the link above. Do it again with the air filters OFF and see what you get. Then you can figure on messing with jets.

FYI if you run the side covers, the foam filters you see on eBay will fit without losing the battery box and if properly oiled will be close in back pressure to a stock filter. I tried cleaning my old filters and got no where, I rebuilt one of them with a paper filter and took 2 days and plenty of swearing and bloody fingers before I got pissed and tossed it. IF you try to rebuild them, take the rubber boot out and LIGHT THE BITCH ON FIRE. Let it burn and take freaking torch to the glue until it just cracks, that is only easy way to get it out.

 

[Swapmeet Louie]

Waiiiiiiit a minute... how are these situations different?

Bog + no power

Cutting out, motor goes then hesitates, then goes, then hesitates etc.

 

[crazypj]

With stock 30+ yr old air filters it's going to run rich, the paper absorbs water vapor from the air and the fibers swell up.
Even if they look perfect they are going to restrict airflow
Re-build filters first and see how much better it runs. (probably?)
Don't go to smaller than stock main jets, the exhaust is probably too short for cam and affecting mixture (gas reversion )
You can't burn exhaust gas and lower O2 level show rich mixture (it's how EGR works)
If you go to pods, I make air correctors for stock carbs to 'cure' rich mid range problem
BTW, friend re-built his filters in about an hour

 

[Kain]

BTW, friend re-built his filters in about an hour

I was thinking of going and getting a new auto filter that would wrap and then cutting/gluing it to the old box to rebuild them. Is that the same kind of method your friend used?.

 

[VonYinzer]

That is how a few guys have done it, with good results. Spend the couple extra bucks and get the washable element.

 

[Kain]

Thanks a lot guys! I was really pulling my hair out as what to do next. Don't know why I waited most of the winter to hit the board for some help!