Been chasing a problem for awhile with my 97 Bandit 1200. I bought it used with only 12000 kms on it -- less than 9000 miles. It was a salvage bike with minimal cosmetic damage. I since rebuilt it to look like an Endurance Racer from the 70s. I had it running briefly before the rebuild started, but shut it down as the float bowls were leaking and the petcock was not working properly. Since the winter, I've added a Holeshot Stage 2 and Pods. I had to remove the stock airbox due to the frame mods. The bike has the following mods:
Blackwidow header, GPR exhaust, engine otherwise stock. With such low mileage its just due now for a valve check, but that can't be the issue, right?
I've got a constant state of generally poor running in all rev ranges, and constantly foul plugs (sooty, not wet). I've done the usual:
- installed new K&L float valve kit to stop the flooding
- new Pingel petcock
- Li-Ion battery (8 cell -- the recommended size for this project)
- set float height to 15mm (tried 14, 16, and even 17mm with no improvements)
- checked spark -- good (replaced plugs 3x as they get sooted up) -- although nothing to compare it to -- a decent blue-white spark as I crank the engine over.
- fitted new stainless emulsion tubes from Factory Pro (no improvement)
- tried every different jetting combination, fuel screw, pilot jet, needle clip position possible (all done in one-step increments)
- as the bike is revved, it blows black smoke out the tail pipe (yep, rich)
- as I powdercoated the frame I made sure the engine was making good ground and added a ground strap to ensure I had a good spark; removed powder where the engine and any ground (including the coils) contact the frame. I also cut 1cm off the ends of the HT leads and put them back into the plug caps. I originally thought it might be a weak spark problem (all 4 plugs look the same).
- checked the inlet boots to ensure there are no cracks. Resealed the o-rings with Yamabond to make sure it wasn't leaking there.
Currently it has the smaller pilots with the fuel screw at 2.5 out. 147.5 main. Needle at 3rd clip with the spacer. Steady throttle bucking and popping on the highway, gets worse as the bike runs longer and the plugs foul up.
I've never been so flummoxed before in my 20+ years of bike building. My friend with a say what now!? 1100 had pods and a pipe and it runs perfectly, with over 50,000 miles on it. Unfortunately he lives in BC and can't lend me a set! Any ideas on what to do/try next? There might be a racer buddy with a set of say what now!? 1100 carbs (no idea of what model year or size) I could try... he only lives a few hours away... I'm pretty proud of my pretty bike but am pissed that it doesnt run worth a damn. I'm wondering yet again about an electrical issue?
carb problems
in Oil Cooled
Posted
Been chasing a problem for awhile with my 97 Bandit 1200. I bought it used with only 12000 kms on it -- less than 9000 miles. It was a salvage bike with minimal cosmetic damage. I since rebuilt it to look like an Endurance Racer from the 70s. I had it running briefly before the rebuild started, but shut it down as the float bowls were leaking and the petcock was not working properly. Since the winter, I've added a Holeshot Stage 2 and Pods. I had to remove the stock airbox due to the frame mods. The bike has the following mods:
Blackwidow header, GPR exhaust, engine otherwise stock. With such low mileage its just due now for a valve check, but that can't be the issue, right?
I've got a constant state of generally poor running in all rev ranges, and constantly foul plugs (sooty, not wet). I've done the usual:
- installed new K&L float valve kit to stop the flooding
- new Pingel petcock
- Li-Ion battery (8 cell -- the recommended size for this project)
- set float height to 15mm (tried 14, 16, and even 17mm with no improvements)
- checked spark -- good (replaced plugs 3x as they get sooted up) -- although nothing to compare it to -- a decent blue-white spark as I crank the engine over.
- fitted new stainless emulsion tubes from Factory Pro (no improvement)
- tried every different jetting combination, fuel screw, pilot jet, needle clip position possible (all done in one-step increments)
- as the bike is revved, it blows black smoke out the tail pipe (yep, rich)
- as I powdercoated the frame I made sure the engine was making good ground and added a ground strap to ensure I had a good spark; removed powder where the engine and any ground (including the coils) contact the frame. I also cut 1cm off the ends of the HT leads and put them back into the plug caps. I originally thought it might be a weak spark problem (all 4 plugs look the same).
- checked the inlet boots to ensure there are no cracks. Resealed the o-rings with Yamabond to make sure it wasn't leaking there.
Currently it has the smaller pilots with the fuel screw at 2.5 out. 147.5 main. Needle at 3rd clip with the spacer. Steady throttle bucking and popping on the highway, gets worse as the bike runs longer and the plugs foul up.
I've never been so flummoxed before in my 20+ years of bike building. My friend with a say what now!? 1100 had pods and a pipe and it runs perfectly, with over 50,000 miles on it. Unfortunately he lives in BC and can't lend me a set! Any ideas on what to do/try next? There might be a racer buddy with a set of say what now!? 1100 carbs (no idea of what model year or size) I could try... he only lives a few hours away... I'm pretty proud of my pretty bike but am pissed that it doesnt run worth a damn. I'm wondering yet again about an electrical issue?