electrical gremlins and other strangness

[dcorym]

OK, now to the carb. My '01 came with an IDS2, the Stage II kit installed (150 main, screw out 3 turns, needle 3rd position), and K&N filter. I live at about 7000', and the altitude of my riding ranges from about 4500'-11,000'. After a few rides (fuel consumption just over 30 mpg!) it was clear the bike was running too rich (I bought it from a guy in Las Vegas - guessing altitude there maybe 1000'). I dropped to a 140 main and turned the screw in to 2.5 turns. Still too rich. I dropped to a 136 main, needle in 2nd position - somewhat better, but here's the kicker: I've yet to get over 33 mpg! (I bought this bike to do my 150- mile round trip commute, to "save gas", but my Honda gets 40 mpg - there goes my excuse to ride!) And the plug/exhaust still look like it's running 'way rich. Mix all this in with the electrical problem (see earlier post) and I'm pretty confused. 1. I've read that trying to run the Stage II kit at altitude is a bad idea - comments? 2. Anyone else with my same setup running at the altitudes I am - what main jet/screw setting/airbox setup do you have? 3. What MPG should I be getting? Anything else you think might be helpful! I'm kind of tearing my hair out. I want to like the bike, but I sure don't trust it at this point. Thanks in advance. Dan

[dooden]

Clean your air filter lately ? I never really checked mileage, but guess 40 for me, tankful last me a long time, heck still got the Sta-Bil treated gas from last year in mine.. I do not have far to go to get anywhere. Dooden A15 "Green Ape" (With low mileage)

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, "dcorym" wrote: > OK, now to the carb. My '01 came with an IDS2, the Stage II kit > installed (150 main, screw out 3 turns, needle 3rd position), and K&N > filter. I live at about 7000', and the altitude of my riding ranges > from about 4500'-11,000'. > > After a few rides (fuel consumption just over 30 mpg!) it was clear > the bike was running too rich (I bought it from a guy in Las Vegas - > guessing altitude there maybe 1000'). I dropped to a 140 main and > turned the screw in to 2.5 turns. Still too rich. I dropped to a 136 > main, needle in 2nd position - somewhat better, but here's the > kicker: I've yet to get over 33 mpg! (I bought this bike to do my 150- > mile round trip commute, to "save gas", but my Honda gets 40 mpg - > there goes my excuse to ride!) And the plug/exhaust still look like > it's running 'way rich. > > Mix all this in with the electrical problem (see earlier post) and > I'm pretty confused. > > 1. I've read that trying to run the Stage II kit at altitude is a bad > idea - comments? > > 2. Anyone else with my same setup running at the altitudes I am - > what main jet/screw setting/airbox setup do you have? > > 3. What MPG should I be getting? > > Anything else you think might be helpful! I'm kind of tearing my hair > out. I want to like the bike, but I sure don't trust it at this point. > > Thanks in advance. > > Dan

[Dan Bittner]

Dan, Your poor mileage / jetting problems sound like a direct result of a weak spark due to your low voltage from that dead battery. That's why your engines starts to die off and stumble at higher cruise speeds, the spark isn't strong enough to fire off the mixture from the larger throttle openings. Get rid of that battery and check the voltage while running as suggested and I think your problems will go away. 12.25 volts is virtually a dead battery, I'm surprised it runs at all. As a far as your jetting goes you'll have to start from scratch when you get some spark to the plug. I'd start with what you have now and work my way up on the jetting because it's easier to diagnose a lean condition than it is a rich one. I think with your pipe and intake side and altitude you'll need at least the 140 main and third from the top on the needle, pilot out to suite your taste. Once your close on the pilot screw make fine adjustments, not just half turns. I have a similar set up as your original and mine runs fine at 11000 feet. Good luck, Dan Bittner Sacramento, Ca. (snipped)

----- Original Message ----- From: "dcorym" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003 8:32 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] 2nd question - carb tuning probs > OK, now to the carb. My '01 came with an IDS2, the Stage II kit > installed (150 main, screw out 3 turns, needle 3rd position), and K&N > filter. I live at about 7000', and the altitude of my riding ranges > from about 4500'-11,000'. > > After a few rides (fuel consumption just over 30 mpg!) it was clear > the bike was running too rich (I bought it from a guy in Las Vegas - > guessing altitude there maybe 1000').

[Devon Jarvis]

Dan Bittner wrote:

>Dan, > > Your poor mileage / jetting problems sound like a direct result of a weak >spark due to your low voltage from that dead battery. >

That would be true if the KLR had a points or TCI type ignition, but it doesn't. It has a magneto-powered CDI system that works completely independently of the battery and charging system. The starter won't work without a good battery. but once the engine's running the battery and "alternator" are not necessary for ignition. If the bike is having symptoms of poor ignition I would guess it's a fouled plug. Devon A15

[Fred Hink]

SEE There! I told you I didn't think it was the wiring harness. Now what would you like to spend that $160 on since I saved you the price of that bundle of wires? Fred http://www.arrowheadmotorsports.com http://www.angelfire.com/ut/moab/cmc.html

----- Original Message ----- From: "Jason Marshburn" To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com> Sent: Sunday, June 15, 2003 7:32 AM Subject: [DSN_klr650] Electrical gremlins and other strangness > Hey guys, > Thanks for all the help and quick relplies on my electrical problems! I'm sure I have traced the source of my trouble to a badly corroded negative battery cable. Seems when you drop the bike on it's left side in front of the pretty girls selling t-shirts at Barnett Harley-Davidson out in El Paso, you get the double whammy! Thanks again for all the help, you folks are great! > > > About the pink KLR, some one posted on here that they called Kawisaki and Voila!! the color of the bike in the pics changed. Check this out, I had downloaded the origninal fuschia/pink/effluent version. I just went and grabbed the new version. If you view them side by side, you see it's the same picture. I think they just turned down the exposure to get a more acurate representation of the bike. Pay attention to the grass and gravel road in the background. The pink image is just too hot (bright). Now, maybe those of you who were thinking DR for next year can come back home!!! > > Take care all!! > > > Jason Marshburn, > KD5TVF > Cedar Hill, TX > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > SBC Yahoo! DSL - Now only $29.95 per month! > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] > > > List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html > Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: > DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . > > > > Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/ > > > >