| Author | Message | ||
     Xodot |
A real Newbie question I admit... how long do you let your ride idle before taking off? Do you give it longer if the ambient temperature is colder (ie 10C/50F)? I ask because my spark plugs carbon fouled. I am shy about going to a higher heat range. (I am using NGK DCPR7E)I wondered if I might be warming her up for too long. Thanks guys!  | ||
| Grovskopa |
I ain't waiting at all, my neighbours would probably start throwing flower pots at me if I did not disappear within 10 seconds after starting bike =))) | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
So it is a FI 2000 S3? FI bikes shouldn't foul plugs at all. 7's are already very hot, most of us run 9's! I let my bike warm up while I get all my gear on (overpants take time)- a couple of minutes is sufficient. I know some things that might cause it to go lean, the only thing I can think of that would make it go rich would be an exhaust leak upstream of the O2 sensor, but I'm sure others will be along with other things to look for. | ||
| Warlizard |
I warm up mine until it can hold an idle. Even at 40 degrees, it just takes a minute or two. As for plugs, I certainly wouldn't go hotter. I also run 9's w/out issue. I doubt overwarming the bike caused them to foul. I have let mine idle ( not by choice ) for 10-15 minutes plus and never fouled. I just changed mine and old set looked fine. Do a search in the KV for fouled plugs and eliminate the possibilities. A leak could very well be the culprit. | ||
| Xodot |
So it is a FI 2000 S3? - Yes it is and as Warlizard says, FI should not foul plugs - thus the genesis of my concern. I am glad to hear you run "7" without problem. I got these plugs from a shop that I believe (and desperately hope) is knowledge reliable. My riding is all rural highway so lots of steady speed and no urban crawl. I have cleaned these plugs well - they have less than 1000 km on them so no wear is apparent - and I will only warm her till I get a steady idle and see what happens. BTW: Today is the first day in my part of Ontario warm enough to ride so I have to get out for a toot. There is still too much sand on the roads to be anything but tremendously cautious and thankful! | ||
| Chasespeed |
I normally start mine... sip my jacketr, put on the lid, gloves, and go... Are you runnin the race ecm? if so, with what mods? Chase | ||
| Xodot |
Chase - No mods, the bike is completely stock. You raise (in my brain) another question however... I have to keep the throttle on just bit to keep the RPMs up for maybe a minute so the bike won't stall. Is that normal? When I got it from the dealer (used last year) it would idle cold without the extra throttle. Once warmed the bike idles smooth. | ||
| Grovskopa |
Xodot, I also have to throttle til it's warm. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Reset the TPS... I can start mine in 30 degree temps, and no throttle... the idle will be a little... up and down for a minute... but.. no throttle input.. Chase | ||
| Grovskopa |
RACE ECM can be modded? How and why? | ||
| Scott_in_nh |
I can start mine in 30 degree temps, and no throttle... same here. A TPS reset would be a good place to start. | ||
| Jos51700 |
A tip to the Head and Base Gasket Lover in all of us: Warm it up until it's warm, preferably too warm, to the touch, before riding, and especially before riding hard. The XL/XB motor uses aluminum sleeves and steel studs, and the expansion/contraction rates between the two are radically different. There is nowhere near the same tension on the studs (and therefore, the gaskets) on a cold motor, and revving or running hard on a cold motor moves everything around while things aren't tight. The cylinder "grows" up against the stud tension, increasing sealing pressure with heat. It will save your base gaskets and head gaskets to let it warm up thoroughly. | ||
| Jos51700 |
And I have never had an FI bike foul plugs from simply revving while cold. Revving while cold, and shutting off, yes, and just idling cold and shutting off, yes, but I have yet to see one spontaneous foul a plug if revved before going on a 5 minute+ ride. | ||
| Jos51700 |
Ditch the NGK's for the Harley (proper) plugs. NGK's are foulin'est plug in the whole wide world. | ||
| Chasespeed |
Ditch the NGK's for the Harley (proper) plugs. NGK's are foulin'est plug in the whole wide world. Funny, I been running the NGKs since April or May 05... Only on the 2 or 3rd operational set(was playing with heat ranges in the hot climate last summer).... The Harley/Buell plugs were problematic.. and in fact, a tad too hot... Second off... Fire the bike... let it run for about 1-2 minutes... and take off easy... DONT hammer on it... This plan has worked just in the South texas heat, and the New England winter... I did I top end rebuild a year ago, with no discernable damage... cylinders woudl have cleaned up just fine with a light cut... IN fact, those cylinders are in a 883hugger(1212 now)..... Chase | ||
| Jos51700 |
I've had the WORST luck with NGK's in everything from cars to US and Jap bikes, and lawnmowers, and even generators, and HD plug work great for me (But to be honest, I've only run them on HD/Buell). I try to run the OE plugs in what I own, unless it's a hotrod/modified engine. I do run the NGK's in my japbikes, but they foul regularly. If they work for you, more power to you! | ||
| Warlizard |
I have had no problems w/ the Buell Pro-Series plugs/wires. I too try to run factory parts whenever possible. | ||
| Brokeneck |
Sounds unrelated but my 2000 S3 would foul plugs a lot -- especially in cold ambient temps -- and with "Mile High" thin air -- until I started using a battery tender. I think that the FI really needs a fully charged battery to get cold idle right -- I haven't fouled a plug (even in the dead of winter) since I started using it. A little off topic but I read your profile Bob, and have the same problem with my taillight bolts -- did you use a caulk type glue like Liquid Nails? --Bneck (Message edited by brokeneck on April 04, 2008) (Message edited by brokeneck on April 04, 2008) | ||
| Bad_karma |
I give it 30 seconds or so to get oil every where then drive conservatively for the next five miles. After that it's weapons free. Joe | ||
| Xodot |
Bneck- I used Elmer white glue - the stuff for gluing paper together. I though the light duty, but thick, glue would break easily when it came time to remove the bolts yet hold firm through the vibrations - and I was right this once! Good luck | ||
| Jos51700 |
"I give it 30 seconds or so to get oil every where then drive conservatively for the next five miles. " A great tip for those with flowerpot throwing neighbors. | ||
| Chasespeed |
A great tip for those with flowerpot throwing neighbors. Sounds like my townhouse... They whine about diesel... No MAJOR complaints about the buell... Then the Sporty came into play.... I have to PUSH the bike out of the complex... and start it in the street... Chase | ||
| Newbuellertoo |
Xodot, See, I'm not the only one who has to start the bike down the street. After my last service, with new plugs installed, I rode home from Barrie on Hwy 11 with a little stop and go traffic through Barrie. Took the plugs out just to have a look and the front plug was "Sooty" already. Only a 45 km. ride. | ||
| Xodot |
Following the advice received here I: Idled just long enough until it would not stall without extra throttle – that was only a minute Rode easy for the first 4 or 5 minutes till I hit the highway Kept the RPM up over 3500 – 4000 on the highway Rode for 45 minutes Checked the plugs (after they cooled… Ouch!) Results: Plugs were that lovely clean white colour. No flower pots were harmed in the making of this run A TPS reset appointment will be made with the arrival of the next pension cheque. A solid idea Chase. The suggestion of driving easy until the entire engine has warmed its different metals makes so much sense yet it never occurred to me before – my gaskets, wallet and knuckles thank you Jos51700 | ||
| Jos51700 |
Just sharing what others have taught me. I'm not smart enough to come up with it myself..... | ||
| Brokeneck |
Thanks Xodot -- Elmer's you say -- I'll give 'er a try == Bneck | ||
| Cyclonemduece |
my neighbors bitched at me a little bit so i started t0 push my bike to the end of the street well with the house about to hit the market i think i will start to warm it up i the drive way again to hell with em. | ||
| Jos51700 |
When my neighbors bitched, I did big smoky burnouts in the street. One Mastercard logo was all it took. Now, they don't complain. | ||
| Phatkidwit1eye |
I've never been able to start my bike up like some of you. My bike always seems to foul plugs. I've replaced everything possible and I have no idea. I've just accepted I have to do bump..fire..catch..hold. | ||
| Bad_karma |
Ron Couple ideas, first I bet your plugs are sooty. ECMSPY and tune the FI. Second try different heat range plugs, careful about detonation. Finally get a high output coil. Joe |
