bump

Thump,
I think that my bike was coming down with SVS when I bought it. I believe the *popping* sound you hear at idle on my video at the beginning of this thread is caused by the exhaust valve sticking open. ( I did do the tissue test where a tissue is placed near the exhaust to see if it gets sucked in momentarily when the valve sticks and intake pulls the tissue inwards).

The exhaust popping sound and rear cylinder thump while riding are in unison throughout the RPM range. It started out with a modest (but uncomfortable) vibration at 40 - 45 and got worse as engine heated up. It quickly degraded over about 200 miles to where I didn't want to ride it because of vibes.

As I wrote earlier, at 60 - 65 mph I almost lost it on an interstate from sensory overload - buffetting + vibrations = panic
I am currently doing Curt's Cure and am extremely confident that this will cure the problem along with changes in jetting (maybe).

I don't know what jetting I have, since I bought it from my brother in law who had the dealer install the kit for him.

I can't wait to get back in the saddle again -- vibration free!

BTW - When I pulled the exhaust pipes for the Seafoam treatment for SVS, I found that the forward ear of the exhaust mounting bracket was cracked off.

Had no idea it was broken because it was held together tight by mounting bolts. Having it welded today.

More...

Pulled two left side spark plugs and looked at piston heads. Looked like a black moon surface with carbon and craters. Sprayed Seafaom Deep Creep right in on top of piston heads -- 4 quick squirts each & replaced plugs. Waiting for Nemesis manifold to run it this Thursday.

Took my carb apart to get familiar with it and see what I'm running:

Stock PMS with plug in place
Needle Valve Clip on 2nd groove from bottom w/ white spacer & washer below
Main Jet R170
Pilot Jet R35
(I assume that the R stamp means Road Star (??))

I don't know if these are good numbers. As stated previously in this thread, I'm doing Curt's Cure for SVS.

My pipes are black black soot. Can I solve soot/carbon with new jets or less choke and better driving habits? Or should I wait to see how things clean up?
Can I improve here? What and where should I order from?

Thanks....

Bump

WHAT A DIFFERENCE!! FROM PAIN TO PLEASURE

Determined that I had SVS. Did the tissue test in the exhaust pipe and it was. Posted a video at the beginning of this thread that lets you hear what SVS can sound like.

Performed Curt's Cure for SVS and 30 hours later installed my new Nemesis manifold. Hooked everything up except the BAK (need longer screws and spacers).

Fired her up and got a little smoke (much less than I thought) and took her out on a wring-her-out-ride. Normal vibrations. Power and more power. Beat her down the highway (carefully) and no more eyeball shaking vibration!

Thanks Curt!!!

Posted carb stuff above in this thread. Take a look and advise me on those please.

Thanks all.... and, yes, it's a 2002 1600cc

Nice! Glad she's coming out of it! Ride her hard for that first tank of gas. Hit that limiter every now and then, She'll get better as you go. Every 40-50 miles mine got better. When I hit the interstate and ran 100 miles in 4th at 70, thats when she really came alive. Have fun.

PS Am I supposed to upgrade to high compression pistons and better valve springs when I take off heads?


Absolutely!! I did!!

Hey Ray glad ya got things going. Your jetting sounds a little lean to me. The 2nd grove on the needle is really way lean for the BAK. I am not sure what pipes you have or how open they are but I would at least drop it to the 3rd grove with white spacer and two silver washers. I take it you have drilled the plug and pulled it out on the PMS. What is the PMS set at now? I am running 172.5, ported stock manifold, clip on 3 with white spacer and two silver washers, 40 pilot, Baron's PMS out 2. I get 46 mpg highway, 36-38 city but I blast the hell out of it between lights up to 4000-4500 rpm. I don't dog it ya got to keep the R's up to keep it clean. I had to buy premium this last fill up because of IKE. Let us know how it's going.

Curt...he said needle has the clip..."2nd groove from bottom"... so that would be 3rd or 4th from top, depending on which needle he has. And I didnt know till' now...he's got the 1600. What main and pilot for that bike?