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[GWA]

I have a 2009 EFi 500 Bullet. When I bought it, it had the standard silencer but I have since noticed it has a performance air filter fitted "no plastic housing"

While the bike rode fine "normal I expect" I was well aware the exhaust was stopping the engine breathing properly. So I fitted a megaphone type silencer, and the engine revs and picks up much better now.

Here is my problem:
I noticed instantly while getting up to speed on the bike it did not have any/much power or speed after 50 mph, so I assume it must be running lean due to engine breathing properly?

Does anyone know a way to increase fuel without having to buy a madly expensive Power Commander? I have been sent info for a "similar" item from the USA called a MAGNUM EVO-Tech Motorcycle Performance Chip. It is £140 inc postage ($219) and looks as though it does the same job as a Power Commander, although it looks a bit more primitive. But I don't really what to buy from so far away, prefer ye olde blighty.

So this leads me to my question: Is there a quicker or easier fix to my fueling problem? (without putting back the old silencer) or a cheaper/better alternative to the two above? I know I could restrict the airflow in to stop it running lean, but it's really more fuel I need.

Any help appreciated.

Regards,
Gary.

[MartinB]

I have the same bike and have fitted our host's exhaust pipe and silencer as well as a K & N filter in the standard air box.Mine runs well but pops very occasionally through the exhaust.I believe without the Power Commander there is little you can do to adjust the ECU so your megaphone system is incompatible with the standard ECU.

[Scalyback]

stuff 98 octane in it?



if it is running lean, the exhaust pipe will discolour more.



get up to 50, then hold the enricher/choke/cold start/ bloody lever, on the left bar open and see if it likes that. I am not sure if it makes much difference at higher speeds?

[GWA]

I have been doing a bit more detective work on this.

It crossed my mind about flashing the ECU, so I looked around and made a phone call. It seems it can be done and what's more it's better than using a power commander. The only snag I can see is if you change the exhaust back, you will need the ECU remapped again to suit. Or it could be setup in such a way to learn? I don't know for sure but will find out tomorrow. They are 3 hours drive from me but depending on price etc it may be worth the drive.

Regards,
Gary.

[Markku]

I would try the following
-disconnect lambda detector and connect 330 ohm resistor to the heater circuit and 330 kiloohms resistor to the detector circuit,
-connect lambda detector to mixture meter for narrow band detector
Now you can really see, what is happening in exhaust (in open loop).

My 2011 B5 run some a little bit rich in open loop even after tuning the gas potentiometer basic position to 0.4V. The tuning range is 0.4V to 0.8V and it has also some effect to timing.

[gavinfdavies]

I must confess to having been a bit cynical obout the whole power commander 5 ('PCV') thing at first. Why not just stick with carbs and do it the simple way, no laptops required etc? Well, I had to get a PCV for my 535 GT, and it's been a revalation. It's SOOOOOOOO easy to tinker with. I'm still developing my map, and like any engine tuning, the only real way to tell is on the dyno once it's fully run in. But in the mean time, it's great to be able to develop a map to suit you exact application with no fuss. Fr example, last friday on my usual weekly run up the M5, I decided that I wanted to tweak the map mid-run, to get a good before/after comparrison. I pull in at the services, whipped the side panel and seat off and fired up my little netbook. A quick tweak to my map v10 to create a richer v11, plug laptop into PCV via USB, turn on ignition (but don't start), click send map, wait all of 5 seconds, disconnect, shut down, seat on, panel on. Fire up and leave. Less than 5 minutes. Try doing that with a carb I thought.

While an ECU flash might be cheaper, will is be 100% perfect first time round? Because if it isn't, you'll be lumped with a long treak and another bill to get it sorted. While the PCV my cost about £300 with VAT, once you've got it you won't regret it.

[GWA]

Storey to date: The ECU flash is the better way to go and the new engine management software that is installed is self learning so any changes to exhaust/filters etc are all OK. The downside it costs £360 + 3 hours to drive there, 2/3 hours setting up/dyno then 3 hours drive back. So will over £430 and 8 hours of my time.

I have now sourced a power commander V which I have got trade price from a dealer friend of mine. Obviously it would be ideal to setup on a Dyno, which I will do, but in the mean time does anyone know where I can download a map for open filter and open exhaust? I can only find stock maps online.

Regards,
Gary.

[Thack]

Scalyback writes:



"stuff 98 octane in it?




if it is running lean, the exhaust pipe will discolour more.



get up to 50, then hold the enricher/choke/cold start/ bloody lever, on the left bar open and see if it likes that. I am not sure if it makes much difference at higher speeds?"




Scaly, you're having a bad day! Two out of three are wrong. 98 octane won't make any difference EXCEPT if the engine is "pinking" or "knocking". All it does is increase the resistance to preignition and detonation. It can't cure a bad mixture or general bad running.



And that lever? On the EFI it isn't an enricher, it's just an air bypass round the throttle plate that lets a bit more air in. So it won't have any effect at all, except possibly an infinitesimal weakening.



GWA: Your phone call about getting the ECU flashed. This is major news - there is a widespread belief in the community that the ECU can't be flashed (or if it can, it's not a service that's available outside of India).



Could you tell us who these guys are? This could be a big breakthrough.

[GWA]

The guy you need to speak to is Geoff his number is 01455 848522


The shop is Hilltop Motorcycles http://hilltopmotorcycles.co.uk/


I knew he was expensive before I called, but you don't mind if it's your race bike, but I think £360 for an Enfield is a tad high. I know it's the same work to do, but I suspect it will be cheaper once he has the raw data from one bike as I know he does a postal service ECU/MAP flash given your particular setup. A lot of GS owners use him for this.


If you live near Mallory Park / Leicestershire he's on your doorstep. So will be more cost effective for you.


Another chap I have used in the past is Paul at Dynobike in Malton. He conformed the ECU could be done but the hardware/software company he uses for his setup have not developed it simply because there would not be the market for it. Which I would have to agree with.


Regards,
Gary.

[spence]

Ye GODS, didn't understand one word of that, maybe its an age thing. That's why I have classic engine with carb.
Happy biking
Chris