I'm getting a hang of the key problem I was having, I've found the "sweet spot" and how to work it. I fixed the seat wobble problem, that tab in the rear wasn't inserted. So I'm working on the power problem.

I figure start with the cheap stuff first, and work your way up, so I pulled the air filter. To my surprise, it was black with oil. Now, I know you oil your rubber rings and such, but this was different. I hit it with compressed air from the inside and I could see it pooling. Now, I have an absent mind to occationally forget to turn off the petcock, but this wasn't gas, far as I could tell at least... I searched all over for a source but came up with none, so I'm at a loss.

Also, taking her in for that recall on the clip in the trans tomorrow. They have to crack the engine to do it. However, will they replace the fuel and oil filter in the process? Naturally they'll use clean oil. I was planning on doing oil and fuel filter next to help the fuel delivery, but figured if they're going to replace them, no point in me doing so as well. Anyone know anything about that?

If these things don't solve my power loss problems, I'm going to take off the carb and clean the needle and ports and make sure that isn't gunked up and causing it to starve.

nasomi if you have the OEM air filter then there is a crankcase vent tha comes from the rear jug head to the back if the filter plate. That is where the oil is coming from. Most of the guys run that line down and vent it under the bike with a filter on the end of it to keep trash out. If you have a K&N filer they are sparyed with a special oil to trap dirt and grime.

Would that be the big line that goes through the pass through in the back, or the little one? Why is there oil coming through that line? It's not a K&N, it looks pretty stock, with the white plastic, and no branding on it at all.

Read this
http://roadstarclinic.com/component/option,com_fireboard/Itemid,187/func,view/catid,51/id,229350/

There is a line on the rear rocker cover that vents the crankcase. Oil fumes and sump pressure is vented to the back plate of the OEM air cleaner and sucked back into the carb. Some get on the filter as well. I tookmine off and plugged the back of my BAK. Then I ran the line back and down by the battery like is shown and put a metal fuel filter on it to keep crap out of it. The cankcase has to be vented to keep moisture from building up and rust forming inside the engine.

Excelent info both of you. Thanks much. I'll take care of this little issue once I get my bike back from the shop.

I was having this exact problem with my filter and it was building up enough so that it would collect then drip down and spray back out and onto my pipes while riding so whenever I got anywhere I would have a nice mess on the pipe and a burning oil smell. I picked up about three feet of fuel line with the same diameter as the exhaust line and rerouted it up and over and then straight down by the battery so that it deposits almost in front of my rear tire. I also purchased a plug/cap and covered the port on the back of my filter housing.

I think you will find your lack of power is linked to your oil soaked air filter. Stock filters are not like K&N filters. When the stock filter gets oil soaked, it stops letting air through. That could enplane your lack of power and your poor fuel mileage. Did you find that you didn't need to use the choke (enrichener) when it was acting like this?

Paul

nasomi wrote:
Would that be the big line that goes through the pass through in the back, or the little one? Why is there oil coming through that line? It's not a K&N, it looks pretty stock, with the white plastic, and no branding on it at all.

The big line is like a cars positive crankcase ventilation (PCV) for your bike. If your crankcase was sealed, pressure buildup as it heats would bust seals. Also, a little bit of cumbusted gas will always find there way past your rings. this will leave NOx in your system an if NOx gas is allowed to build up and churn with your oil then it breaks down the oil very quickly and is very acidic on the metal conponments. So the crank case has to breathe or the engine will not last long.

The little line is a vent from your fuel bowl. Most just vent to open air, but california models vent through a charcoal canister and any vapor that returns to liquid is stored in a reserve so the fuemes don't go into the air.