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ride. This post is regarding to the fitting of free flow air filters, its effects and how to rectify it
using the method of re‐jetting.
You need to consider re‐jetting your bike whenever there’s been a major change to the air
intakes (like installing K&N filters which allow more air to pass to the carburetor), or adding drag
pipes. Both modifications will lean out the air‐fuel mix. The stock jet can only allow a certain
amount of fuel to pass through and is designed according to the specification of the vehicle.
Installing larger jets increases fuel to the carburetor to restore the 14 parts air to 1 part fuel
optimum mix. This mixture is called stoichiometric ratio. Whenever the amount of air intake is
increased, the fuel part is also to be increased. In all other cases, the stock jets will take you
through 95% of your riding requirements.
We are now going to tune the carburetor without the help of a tachometer (engine speed). High
speed or top end main jet sizes are determined by full open throttle performance. Low and mid‐
range tuning is determined mainly by how the bike feels to you as you roll the throttle. Mikuni
CV carburetor is different from the Keihin CV. So is the difference with other carburetors. So
tuning will be different in different vehicles.
Note: If you do sense a loss of power, or rough running on a stock vehicle, it may due to some
other reason. In this case re‐jetting is not the solution to the current problem. Please take the
bike to an authorized mechanic and rectify the problem.
HIGH SPEED JETTING
High speed performance (80 KPH and up) is controlled by the main jets. To make sure you have
the right main jets, take your bike out to an open highway where you can safely (and legally)
open the throttle all the way in top gear. Ride the bike full open and let the bike get to top
speed. Again, do this only if you are experienced and comfortable running at top speed and you
are not in danger of injuring yourself or someone else.
A. If at top speed or before, the bike runs rough, heavy throttle feel or begins to hesitant and
buck, your main jet is TOO BIG. The mix is too rich (more fuel than the optimum 1 part fuel to 14
parts air) and you are getting an uneven burn and poor performance. Install smaller main jets
and take the bike for another test run. Another way to determine rich mixture is, when u cold
start the vehicle and if the bike starts in the very first crank the mixture is rich (no need to use
the choke in this instance). Low fuel efficiency and more smoke in the exhaust than usual are
some of the characteristics of a rich mixture.
B. If before top speed the engine is running smooth, but has no power, seems to be running hot
or knocking from the engine and you can’t push the bike to top speed, then your main jets are
too SMALL. You are running too LEAN a mix (less fuel than the optimum 1 part fuel to 14 parts
air) for maximum engine performance. Put in LARGER main jets and take the bike out for
another test run. Another way to determine lean mixture is the difficulty u feel when cold
starting. Even after repeated cranking, if the engine does not start, the mixture is lean. When u
closes the throttle in a downhill, if u hears popping or cracking sound from the exhaust, it is
again due to the lean mixture.
MID‐RANGE OR MID‐SPEED TUNING
The carburetor needle controls mid‐range performance. The needle tapers down to a point that
fits into the main jet. The needle is lifted upward (along with the slide) by the carburetor
diaphragm as the air flow increases through the carburetor. As the needle moves upward it is
withdrawn from the main jet, allowing more fuel to mix with the increased air volume. All that is
needed to modify mid‐range performance is to place (or remove) one or more small, thin
washers between the diaphragm and the head of the carburetor needle where it’s held in the
diaphragm. Adding washers effectively raises the tapered needle further out of the main jet at
all engine rpm’s and allows more fuel to mix with air to create a richer mix. Removing a washer
effectively leans out the air‐fuel mix.
There’s usually no need to replace the stock needles since they have proven over time to
provide good performance and good gas mileage. If you do use a third party needle for
increased performance, then anticipate lower fuel efficiency.
Mid‐range tuning is accomplished mainly by how the bike performance feels to you. If there’s a
smooth increase in power as you roll the throttle, then you’re there. If there’s a slow response
or there’s no power, then the mix may be too LEAN and you may need to add one or more
washers to richen the mix. If the bike accelerate with power, but feels rough, you may be too
RICH and need to remove one or more washers to lean out the mix. Now take the bike out for a
test spin.
LOW OR SLOW SPEED JETTING
Now you can tune for low end performance. If you are getting a poor pickup or hesitation off
the line, or a lot of backfiring on deceleration, then you need more fuel through the pilot jet.
You increase fuel flow through the pilot jet by turning the pilot jet screw OUT a half turn. It’s
best to start at 2 1/2 turns OUT on the pilot screws and then increase the turns OUT 1/2 turn at
a time, and go for a test run. Do these until you get the performance you want and/or there are
no back fires on deceleration. If you go more than 5 or 6 FULL turns out, you will probably have
to install a LARGER pilot jets. Larger pilot jets are usually needed if you have removed the stock
air intakes, air box and installed K & N filters which dramatically INCREASE air intake volume.
I am not posting how to successfully repair the carburetor because of its complexity for a normal
person. And friends, please make sure that a professional mechanic is always nearby if anything
goes wrong.
GENERAL PROBLEM SOLVING TIPS:
If you get inconsistent running, fluctuations in power, you are probably running rich. Lean
running is more likely to cut power completely. If you have poor power at small throttle
openings and a surge at wider throttle then you may be running lean. Quick ways to see if you
are running rich or lean.
* APPLY CHOKE AFTER WARM – UP TO ARTIFICIALLY RICHEN THE MIXTURE.
If you bike runs better with the choke on even after a few minutes of warm – up, your original
mixture might be lean in the lower rev range. This test does strange things to the upper rev
range, so don’t use it at highway speeds.
* REMOVE THE AIR FILTER COVER AND ARTIFICIALLY LEAN OUT THE MIXTURE
Temporarily remove the air liter cover (to INCREASE air to the mixture), and go for a test ride. A
well tuned bike (where the air and fuel mix is right on) will run pretty badly (i.e. mixture too
lean) when you do this. But if the mixture was originally too rich, the bike will run better. Then u
can fix the air filter cover and lean the mixture.
If your bike’s performance has a hitch or hesitation at certain speeds or you can’t tell if it’s rich
or lean, experiment by leaning out the mixture which is the easiest way to find out – if the
mixture was originally too rich, the bike will run better immediately. If the mixture was originally
too lean, your bike will run worse immediately
(Use the tuning techniques listed above to adjust the low, mid‐ and high speed ranges).
Now u might also understood why manufacturers stick to a particular setting and not going for
extreme tuning. Extreme tuning will call the need for extreme keeping up of it. Friends, it’s all
about experimenting with different settings. Also if found a good setting, don’t forget to check
the fuel economy too. And always ride safe!