| Author | Message | ||
     Palmer |
Hi guys, I just want your opinion (like a little poll) about converting a 2002 X1 to carburetor. I recently had a fuel pump failure (0,5 bar...  ) and I really want to switch to a carburetor. My FI works well, I only had some problems at high RPM or at high altitude. Quite annoying as far as I remember. The only reason why I want to switch to a carburetor is the fascination in old school and the "simplicity" of an all mechanical bike. I'm really not interested in power and top performance. My X1 is my little toy for a big boy, I usually drive a completely stock 1125CR. I only want a good (not top!) performance, reliable and charming bike. So, tell me some reasons why I should not convert my X1. And why I should do it instead, of course! Grazie a tutti!  (Message edited by Palmer on April 10, 2012) | ||
| Dave_02_1200 |
Good idea. Either a CV40 or a Mikuni HSR42 will work just fine on your X-1. | ||
| Hootowl |
Given the scarcity of fuel pumps, converting to carb might be your best bet. Aftermarket ignitions are easy to come by. | ||
| Two_seasons |
I'd sell it. Then buy an S1 | ||
| Xl1200r |
Scarcity? Isn't it the same fuel pump out of a late model Ford or something? | ||
| Palmer |
Ha! An S1! you can't buy a reasonable S1 for less than 7000€ where I live .. | ||
| Mbsween |
I have ~45k on a 2001 x1 I bought new. The only issue I ever had with the injection is the engine temp sensor. other than that it's been spot on. I don't miss carbs at all (I have 13 of them on 4 other bikes) never have to clean junk out of the FI like I do on the old CB175! I'd stay electronic | ||
| Two_seasons |
Palmer: You must not LOVE BUELL that much...it is only $9200 USD. Wassa matta wit you  | ||
| Blks1l |
Put a carb on it, you can still run the ECM | ||
| Psykick_machanik |
FI is the logical progression and technological improvement from a carb. Its better than a carb in every way which is why every self respecting manufacturer (of things that go vroom) on the planet uses it. switching BACKWARDS to a carb is taking a step back on the evolutional ladder and i honestly don't understand why someone would do it. Would you do it to your car? As far as failures are concerned you will have more with a carb than FI, so i don't see that as a factor. to be 100% honest i think its a bad idea. Now people don't start arguing with me, because we were asked for our opinions and we all got them. Just that mine are right......HeHe im trying to be funny. | ||
| Palmer |
I repeat, for long rides or everyday use i ride my 1125Cr. I really love mechanical stuff, and I really want to try to switch to a carb. I think I'll go for the RRC kit, which as Blks1l said, uses the original ECM, I suppose for ignition and stuff. And all the stuff like the injectors will stay in place, in case the carb should be a failure. Anyway it seems that the common rational opinion says NOT to switch to a carb. But my fuel pump is dead and have to take a decision. I'll let you know guys! | ||
| Blks1l |
I think I see less people on this board with carb problems then FI problems, I don't feel the early FI systems were that good of a system. As far as leaving the injectors on the bike, that seems odd, I put a carb manifold on, and bagged all of the unused connectors and tied them out of the way, and depinned the Check Engine Light wire from the connector. | ||
| Palmer |
Oh crap, I didn't explained well! of course i'll put a carb manifold and I'll tie all the connectors somewhere. What I wanted to say is that I can go backwards if I want. Mainly because we have some big troubles with tuned bikes here in Italy. Does no one think that tuning a carb, with the smell of oil e gasoline, the heat and sound of the engine, and the grease on your hands is better than tuning an ECM in front of your PC? | ||
| Hootowl |
"Isn't it the same fuel pump out of a late model Ford or something?" It is? That'd be great if it is. Last I read people were having a hard time sourcing them. Do you have a link to that? | ||
| 46champ |
I have a bike with a Carb on it M2 so I'm tainted and I say go with the carb. You'll want a Mikuni Palmer if you are spending money get the better carb. If a CV 40 is free you might try that instead. When I started looking for a Buell in 2006 I questioned a lot of people about this and the consensus was get a M2 and the big reason was it had a carb. The reason was intermittent drivability problems with SOME X1's and S3's note I said SOME. In my opinion if there wasn't EPA regulations to get by none of these bikes would have fuel injection on them. It really makes no sense to have fuel injection on a bike than can be adequately served by a single 1 barrel carb. If fuel injection was so much better the injected bikes would get a bunch better mileage. | ||
| Jramsey |
The fuel pump is a Walbro 521,mid late '90's Ford Mustang IIRC. Bosch makes an equivalent, I would stay away from the Chinese imitations. Here's a pic of the one from my spare tank, the regulator "appears" to be for a late model Chevy 2.2 liter, not for sure yet still working on that part.  I called here and was told the price was $75.91. http://www.fuel-pumps.net/521.html (Message edited by Jramsey on April 11, 2012) | ||
| Palmer |
This place is an AWESOME source of information. | ||
| Hootowl |
Great news, thanks. | ||
| Desertfox |
I thought my pump had died once, but it was just the seal on the regulator. Simple and cheap fix. I really enjoy the simple FI on the X1, especially with the ECM Spy Software. Given the choice (having had to deal with figuring out jetting in the past) I would pick the FI over a carb any day. Even just for the simplicity of tuning. | ||
| Radon30 |
I like carb Just for the pure simplicity, I guess I grew up in the days of points and carbs, I think are easy to tune, and more then likely won't leave me stranded some where, I could always limp it home If I had to. Both have there good points if you can fix the injection cheap , and had no problems in the past with the performance I would stay with injection, otherwise switch to carb it will run just as well , you won't notice a performance difference unless you don't set it up correctly . | ||
| Hootowl |
<--- has a short attention span. You know, now that the cobwebs are clearing, I do remember seeing a thread about the 521 pump earlier. The old noggin isn't what it used to be. | ||
| Dmac |
IN the process of changing my X1 now.Went with the S&S kit.Also bought the daytona twin tec ignition also.Ihave a 2002 x1 fuel injected and this one is a 2001 x1.Will be interesting to see how it performs | ||
| Radon30 |
Dmac, I think you will be disappointed in the s&s carb. For me there was lack of throttle response. | ||
| Dmac |
The 7 time record holder in Hot Street Bike runs a S&S.He seems to have plenty throttle response | ||
| Radon30 |
Exactly! for drag racing which I used to do, its perfect, if that's your aim it will work well. I'm saying for street use its not so good. I have one sitting I'm my garage, because I hated the throttle response when driving on the street. Most drag racers hold throttle wide open in staging, let the clutch out with any throttle control, hotstreet maybe abit different but not so much throttle control needed. I'm just saying from personal experience (Message edited by radon30 on April 12, 2012) | ||
| Palmer |
FYI, I ordered not a single carb, but a rivera double mikuni setup. Ø84 of epicness!   just joking. Yours answers told me what I more or less expected: FI is better, but it's nothing wrong with the carburetor conversion. I expected some more hype on carbs, but that's it! Going upstream is part of me. Back in topic, I really ordered my mikuni and a push button starter. The mechanical side of the bike is what really fascinates me. I suppose I'd go for a kickstart on my X1 if I could. (Message edited by Palmer on April 16, 2012) |
