another jetting question

[Rick Fortner]

2006 1700. Freedom Performance true duals, K&N filter and aluminum intake. I have attached a pic of my spark plug. Looks to be running rich to me. The pilot jet is a 37.5 and main is a 170. I know from reading here that the pilot should be 40 and main should be 172.5. I do have to run with the enricher out for a bit to get the bike to run without hesitation or stalling. Could this be why my plugs look like they do. Should I change the pilot to the 40 and go from there or change both jets to start? any help with this is appreciated.

[Rick Fortner]

also the needle clip is on the 4th groove and has plastic spacer and no washers.

[davej]

check to make sure the pms is set at 2 1/2 turns out at most and make sure the air filter is clean. if that plug was pulled without idling for a a while with the choke pulled there is a problem somewhere

[Rick Fortner]

I think that is my biggest problem. I do have to idle for a bit and run with choke out for a bit. All 4 plugs look about the same.

[davej]

Using the choke for a couple minutes or miles is normal. What I meant was do not idle it prior to pulling the plugs. Just go for a nice ride maybe even up to 10 miles or so. When you get back home shut the bike off immediately without letting it idle, let it cool down and pull the plugs. You only need to pull the outside 2 plugs no real need to pull all 4.

[NCB]

Dave, when you say outside do you mean the front or rear plugs?

[Brad_G]

I think what he means is the left (kickstand) side of the bike. You should be able to get those out easily without removing the tank. That way you're checking both cylinders. Unless you have a coil/wire problem both plugs should look alike in their respective cylinder.

[davej]

Brad G is correct that is what I meant. front and rear plugs on the kickstand side.

[Rick Fortner]

On cooler mornings in the 40s i can let it idle for 10 minutes and still have to ride with choke pulled out at least partially for another 5 + minutes.

[davej]

that is normal in those temps

[NCB]

Dave, when you say outside do you mean the front or rear plugs?

Thanks guys!

[Rick Fortner]

Ok. I jetted to 40 and 172.5. Didn't adjust anything else. Overall looks a little rich to me. What do you guys think. My next step will be to adjust the pms?

[Rick Fortner]

This is after about 500 mile or so

[Shores]

This is after about 500 mile or so

Did you kill the engine immediately after a nice long cruise at higher RPM or did you let it idle a few minutes before you pulled the plugs?

[Rick Fortner]

Shut it down as soon as i got it parked. Also just checked my pms. It was out almost 3 full turns

[Rick Fortner]

Just set it to 2.5 turns

[MikeyC]

Now repeat . The best part about testing is the ride. We use to run wide open in a gear and then kill the motor and pull the clutch. Stop and pull the plugs

[davej]

That is a chop test and only good for seeing if the correct main jet is being used.

[MikeyC]

Oh, cool, Thank you for clarification, so I wouldn't be trying that again in the wrong instance.

[Lug Nut]

What plugs are you using and what gap? Stick with stock NGK 5129 gapped at. 035...dont trust that the gap is correct.... I've had some recently that were off. 005 or more

[Rick Fortner]

Stock plugs and gap. And yes i check and adjusted were needed. Thanks

[Rick Fortner]

ok I now have about 1000 miles since adjusting the pms and new plugs. Bike was running good, stopped to fuel up and starting popping when I left the station. after riding it hard for a few minutes it ran fine for the rest of the day. Started it the next day and missing and popping again and was getting worse every day. thought I had water in fuel. tried new fuel and same problem. finally pulled the plugs and all 4 are covered with carbon. installed new plugs and runs good. So do I need to continue adjusting the pms to dial it in or do you think I have another issue?

[MikeyC]

I thought your 37.5 and 170 were the ticket and should have just adjusted the pms from there. But wait and see what others say. Want to see you out in Baker City, just bring all your jet stuff with you in case it is needed.

[Lug Nut]

Stick the 40 pilot jet back in? Sure manifold isn't leaking (spray starting fluid around manifold while running see if rpm's change)... Is your enricher cover good (no cracks)... Exhaust pipes tight and gaskets good? PMS shouldn't need to be more than 3.5 out... If so you need to rejet.

[davej]

You never said (That I seen) what brand needle you are using. Make sure the air filter is clean, if it is try putting the needle clip in the 3rd groove to clear the plugs up and lean it out. In fact either clean those plugs real good or throw a new set in.(I would clean them by spraying with starting fluid and then heating them with a propane torch until the carbon burns off) If it is a Barons needle you have a different issue.