Gas Mileage

[Steve]

Oh, and sticking zip-ties down the spark plug holes is much easier than using "the tool". :shock:

I have had some difficulties with the zip-tie method, but I have tracked that down to my adaptation of the method. As written, with a folded zip-tie, it works very nicely and will not damage anyting. I also have "the tool" and get rather frustrated trying to use it, because is keeps slipping sideways off the bucket, snapping the valve closed. I am afraid THAT will cause more damage than a folded nylon zip-tie. 8-[

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[djscottymiami]

Oh, and sticking zip-ties down the spark plug holes is much easier than using "the tool". :shock:

I guess I'll have to find out for myself :-D I like doing things like the manual suggests.

[Jon Burke]

I also had troubles with "the tool" slipping off of the bucket. With a little practice, can do it now without slipping. Wasn't using the tool quite right. Works pretty slick once you figure it out. I wasn't too keen with the zip tie method. I'm concerned about the tip getting clipped off by a valve.

[Steve]

I also had troubles with "the tool" slipping off of the bucket. With a little practice, can do it now without slipping. Wasn't using the tool quite right. Works pretty slick once you figure it out. I wasn't too keen with the zip tie method. I'm concerned about the tip getting clipped off by a valve.

When a heavy-duty tie is folded over, there is so much bearing area that I really don't believe that it's possible for a set of stock valve springs to shear the working end of the tie. If you only used the tip of a smaller zip-tie, I can see your concern, but you want to use one of the heavy 10-12" zip ties, fold it in half, then bend it at 45 degrees about 1/2" from the fold. I have found it useful to wrap some electrical tape around the tie just before the bend to keep everything lined up.

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[Steve]

I like doing things like the manual suggests.

When the manual was written, I don't think that zip-ties were in common use, otherwise they might have made it into the procedure. 8-[

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[JayH]

Exhaust is a contraption the P.O put onto it so that it would pass safety. It had no exhaust when he got it so he had to fab somethign up. It does have a few holes in it though.

Is there a guide for the spark plugs for the mixture? Im quite new at all this.

The bike does seem to roll easily in neutral. This is my first bike so I dont really have anything to compare it to.

What did the airbox look like? Did it have a clean air filter in it? A stock 850 should be getting a lot better mpgs than you are experiencing.

[djscottymiami]

What did the airbox look like? Did it have a clean air filter in it? A stock 850 should be getting a lot better mpgs than you are experiencing.

A little bit of dirt in it.. nothing much. The filter looked clean (no excessive large clumps of dirt... seal looked half decent). Could probably use to be cleaned and re-oiled. Will probably do that next weekend.

[djscottymiami]

Gr. 108km and im between half and 1/4 tank.... i cant wait for the shim tool to get here so that i can check them valves... then the carbs I'll check my plugs today and see what they look like.