Forum

[130]

Hi

I have an 04 classic 500 ES. Having just fitted a universal silencer it now sounds like I wanted it too. All is tight no leaks and I have just finished a front to back service. A swift run around the local area circa 10 miles and it pulls cleanly and feels as it should. No other mods apart from the PAV removed. Now I'm guessing I should rejet even though she runs well? I don't want to damage it by not doing what is / maybe required. I'm reasonably sensible with a set of spanners but carburettors just don't like my hands or methods. That being the case and I'd be glad on any advice as to whether the jets are needed I was wondering if anyone is reasonably local to the outskirts of Portsmouth who would be able to help for a fee and tea and biscuits ? If I open the carb I just know I'll break it !

Thanks

Dave

[Durham Tim]

Hi.
You say it it "pulls cleanly and feels as it should". Also you said "I'm guessing I should rejet even though she runs well?"
From my own experience I removed a perfectly good Mikcarb and relpaced it with a relatively expensive Amal carb and achieved very little noticable improvement.

I'm quickly coming over to the opinion "If it aint broke, don't fix it!"

[130]

Thanks Tim. I think my concerns are that if I'm running lean it may damage valves and associated seats. But it's only used for short country lanes bobbing along trips.

[130]

Any other views folks? I'm more concerned at burning a valve out (i think),although it'll never see a motorway just country lanes and A/B road short trips.

[Bullet Train]

Hi 130,Well documented here recently, I have done the same as you. Mine was running quite weak causing a lot of flat spots at low to mid throttle openings. I never felt the engine was ever getting too hot, even in this recent good weather, and not overly concerned about burning a valve out. I've up-jetted slightly using the guide in the latest catalogue from our host's and raised the throttle needle by two notches too. My plug is now a more healthy color with a slight ring of soot around the threaded part of the plug. It runs much better, mpg has improved, but i still cant eliminate the low to mid range flat spots. It goes incredibly well at half throttle + speeds though, which suits me. I've done over a 1000km's since I fitted my Universal silencer and re-jetted. I'm happy now. What suits one Bullet might not suit another and each and every Bullet seems to have a character all of it's own? Happy Riding. Regards Bullet Train

[PeteF]

If you havn't fitted a free flow air filter then you may not need to rejet. What colour is the plug? If it's anything darker than light brown round the centre electrode then you should be good. You say it's running fine as it is so it can't be far out - there's always the possibility that it was rich before of course. If it is looking a bit weak then try lifting the needle a notch first.

[Alan R]

Hello 130 !! Hi Dave --------- Ahh! Dear old Pompey ---- does "Pompey Lil" still frequent the main gates to Nelson Barracks ?? What a Girl !!!------ What an experience for a young Marine Engineering sprog on his first sea-going drafting!!...But now to more mundane things----Not heard of a "Front to back service" ( apart from Pompey Lil, that is---LoL !! ) assume you mean a Full service as per the manual ?? And you have a Universal silencer fitted ?? And you say it ( the bike ) feels as it should ??.... so let's start this off as we mean to carry on by NOT using the word (or the approach) of ---GUESSING.?? A good "Engineering" state of mind along with the correct terminology is what's expected. You've actually done the right thing by identifying your weak area of ability ie.carbs etc. and asking for some practical assistance----SPOT ON, matey !! Let's hope someone near you can call-in. In the meantime, as your main concern is possible weak mixture, you can test the current set-up doing a PLUG-CHOP test, properly mind !! (But I'm forgetting----you've got PORTSDOWN HILL. Made for the job !!). This will identify if your mixture ON FULL THROTTLE/MAIN JET is suitable or in need of a change.( By coincidence your sue-de-nim might well be the main jet size you end up with---possibly. Also, if help IS forthcoming then get them to give your "pride & joy" an independent test ride---- a second opinion on the performance as it were. Remember the golden rule on mechanical analysis----------------------ONE THING (Change) AT A TIME & make notes of the results. Let us know how you get on, please ????....Arrrrrrr, me harties-----time for the grog, so it is.

[Alan R]

---------- sorry, one more thing. Put £60 + Fitting + VAT aside.... I've just noticed you have an ELECTRIC START. This will be the approx. minimum cost should the SPRAGG clutch fail at anytime. Not being a scaremonger at all--- you may never have that problem----BUT it does exist so be aware and put a bit of cash away, just in case !!

[apparently lucky eddie]

Alan, I think 130 refers to the kph speedo reading of a bullet hurtling down portdown hill after a flying start, throttle wide open, at that brief, fleeting moment of ecstacy as you think "the bitch does do 80!" immediately before the piston comes throught the tank and the conrod embeds its self in the road.

[130]

Why thankyou one and all! Well just come back from another run about 8 miles, apart from startling the general public under load it appears to run well at all throttle positions. Header pipe (may be my imagination) seems to be hotter but not cherry red by any means, tick over fine, no popping banging bar the occasional very light pop and by no means a backfire. Portsdown hill still has Micks burger van there! Plug looks good so i'm tempted to leave it a few weeks.