Super poor fuel economy

[Kmartcivic]

I just got back from Biketoberfest and my 2000 1600 with bak and Mac fatt stakkers exhaust with baffles installed is sucking (literally) on fuel. From a full tank after 50 miles of riding the tank is near empty. On the kickstand when you look in the tank I see the bottom of the tank. I did do the barons jet kit. Used the smaller main it came with and installed a 37.5 pilot. Clip on needle on 5th from top with the plastic spacer/ washers where they are supposed to be. Along with the spring under the white clip that holds the needle in place. Pms 2.5 turns out. I haven’t gotten to it yet but I do have a new choke plunger. I need a new cable as well as it is cracked right where the cable meets the plastic knob. I never need the choke to start her and the plugs were dark dark black. So my main question is, will a faulty choke plunger / choke cable make me go through an entire tank in 50 miles?

[Duke]

Yes, if the plunger is stuck open you will go thru the fuel. You should’ve seen dark smoke when it’s running.

[Duke]

You should be setting the needle at the 4th clip from the top. That will help to run leaner and more in the ball park.

[davej]

I don't understand your needle stack up. It should be clip in the 4th groove down from the flat end, 1 washer and 1 white plastic spacer below the clip. The spring and other washer should set on the top of clip not next to the plastic spacer.

[Kmartcivic]

I do have the washers/plastic spacer in that orientation. It’s on position 5 out of the 6 grooves as the barons instructions say. It says to put on 4th groove on the 1700 model.

[davej]

trust me put it on the 4th groove. There are 2 different sets of instructions out there. I have both sets and don't understand why they put out 2 different sets that aren't the same. The instructions also say to use a 35 pilot jet and with many hours of test it has been found that a 37.5 works best in a 1600 and a 40 works best in a 1700. They must be trying to cover up a lean spot with the 5th groove clip setting instead of changing the pilot jet.

[brianmac]

If your starting wo choke . Too rich and or enricher circuit open inside carb. Especially since yesterday we dropped below 70 at night. Dave j is our jetting professor.

[Kmartcivic]

I'll mess with it this weekend and give an update on my findings.

[Kmartcivic]

Alright, so I put the correct main jet in the carb. Along with a new Choke cable and plunger. Got an aftermarket one. Yamaha is nuts what they charge for a damn choke cable! Put it all back together and started her up. When I crank on the throttle I still get some black smoke out the back. Then I realized I never changed the clip setting on the needle. So I just left it at that since I put the tank back on. I brought my bike to my work to get the Trans recall taken care of now that the bike is finally in YMUS. Was from Hawaii so my VIN would not populate. So when my tech pulls my bike apart I'll change my clip setting on the needle.

[brianmac]

dont go by the gas guage as any indication, reset odo with fillup, calculate.

[Kmartcivic]

I won't. Its not working at the moment anyway. I have a new sending unit just gotta put it in. But she's hibernating at work right now so I can work on this Vstar 1100. Get it running and gone so I can bring my Roadstar home. Too much crap in that damn garage. Can't do anything.

[Duke]

You definitely have something wrong with the fuel system if your using 5 gallons for 50 miles.
Check the choke plunger and the float level setting.

[Kmartcivic]

I did put a new choke cable/plunger in the carb. Then brought it into work to have the transmission recall done. Thats where she still sits. Hopefully getting the vstar running this weekend since its supposed to rain, give me time to do that and a break from getting the backyard ready for my wedding next month. I still need to readjust the clip on the needle too.

[brianmac]

Kmart I'm over on Merritt Island and I'm doing a clutch today during the rain let me know if you need anything

[Kmartcivic]

Well, I did get the Vstar running. New Starter clutch, and I went through the carbs. I took them off and heard something rattling in them. A collar that goes on one of the top caps for a screw for the choke cable was laying on top of the slide diaphagm, Along with the small springs that go between the white plastic fitting and the needle. Who ever worked on this bike last never seated the plastic piece in the slide so the needles were just moving around as they please. She runs like a champ now. Almost time to slap that for sale sign on her so I can bring my Roadie home again.

[davej]

glad to hear you got it sorted out and running well.

[Kmartcivic]

1600 is back home. I squeezed her in the garage. Took the 1100 out around the neighborhood on Monday. Pulled out in first cruising then just twisted the throttle. Thought the clutch was slipping. I looked back and there is about a 10 foot burnout in front of my house. Torquey SOB! Painting the exhaust then she's going up for sale.
I did change the needle clip position on the 1600 and got the Fuel sending unit in. I really gotta take her out now and see her mileage. Just been busy, got married last week. I other issue is the vent line on the tank is clogged and I can't seem to clear her out.

[Lug Nut]

1600 is back home. I other issue is the vent line on the tank is clogged and I can't seem to clear her out.

Try compreased air in the vent hose..if that doesnt work just unhiok and bypass the rollover valve (which is what more than likely is clogged).

[Kmartcivic]

Rollover valve removed. Tried hooking a piece of hose directly to the tank and running my compressor at 90psi to no avail.

[brianmac]

old tires will spin easy

[Kmartcivic]

Michelin Commander 2's. About 100 miles on them, and were installed about a year ago at my work.

[Kmartcivic]

UPDATE:

Took the roadie to work yesterday, approx 35 miles each way. Actually needed the choke on startup on our chilly mid 60's Florida morning. Didn't have a full tank when I left for work but I left with just under 3/4 of a tank, and when I got home the needle was at about 1/2. I know its an accurate measurement but its definitely a HUGE improvement over what it was doing before. Now to have the foam reworked on my seat. I need to be back further and some 3" floorboard extensions.