I just did the 22 cent mod, drilled out the slide hole to a 7/64 and adjusted the pilot screw 1 3/4 turns. Man did it make a huge difference!!! :) My bike has started kinda hard since I got it, but now it fires at the push of a button. It also has a lot better response. I would recommend this mod to anyone!!
I have four #4 brass washers and the drill bit if any one wants to do the mod. ;D
Here's the KLR.net thread http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41112 (http://www.klr650.net/forums/showthread.php?t=41112)
Yeah I'm interested in doing this for sure. I'm only getting 42mpg so I think I could use some tuning.
I'm not sure it does much for fuel mileage but it will definitely improve throttle response and starting.
Speaking of pilot screws, fringefan now that you've got that different muffler on there you might need to adjust the screw. I remember when reading about that mod, that stock exhaust takes a diff amount of turns than aftermarket.
Been messing with that. I have to swap this exhaust out for another one with a baffle in it. Should be done today.
If anyone is interested in trying the one I have they can have it for $20.00.
Chad one thing you might want to be a little careful about is having a forestry approved spark arrester, especially for riding in the Hills. I think you can get kicked out and/or fined without one, and even worse, if you were to start a fire without one you can be held liable. Not a concern this year, but other years it really could be.
When I bought my KTM they had a set of Akropovic cans they wanted to sell me DAMN cheap because they were an accidental double order (those things cost 1000/pair retail), but I passed them up because they had no spark arrestor stamp. I bought the FMF's I have instead, which aren't nearly as cool, but they are the only ones I could find that have the stamp. YMMV!
Been thinking how to get one of those. The new exhaust is about as loud as a stock one or close to it though so no more ear plugs for the guys behinds me ;)
I did the 22 cent smilemaker mod and things got a little hairy! It's taken a while to find the fine tuning point as my fuel mileage was initially shot! I got only 35 mpg on the DDSR Rally in June. I have since turned my fuel screw back to make it run a little leaner at 75mph and it seems to run good now, but my mpg is still a little down. Power does seem to be improved though. Be careful when you adjust your fuel mixture screw. My bike topped out around 80 mph when I had it running too rich. Your KLR should top out around 100 mph if adjusted right.
Yea I think mine is adjusted a little rich right now. Last two tanks of gas I got 44 mpg. I can't hit 100 mph only about 90. But it starts really well and idles great. Ryan how many turns out is your needle? Mine is 1 3/4.
I have mine turned in more than it is supposed to because the the mpg drop I got with the first tractor muffler. I have not had to fill up since I put the newer tractor muffler on but it sure does sound better ;D
Quote from: Dustin on September 13, 2008, 06:16:03 PM
Yea I think mine is adjusted a little rich right now. Last two tanks of gas I got 44 mpg. I can't hit 100 mph only about 90. But it starts really well and idles great. Ryan how many turns out is your needle? Mine is 1 3/4.
I honestly don't remember exactly how many turns out I am. I think I'm around 1 or so. I used 2 #4 washers from lowes like I was told, but didn't check the thickness. Maybe my bike is running rich because of the washer thickness being a little much, causing the fuel screw to be turned out a little less. I messed with it so many times I forgot what my last setting was, but the bike seems to run pretty darn nice now. I haven't had a chance to do any side by side racing down the highway yet to know if it's perfect, but it seems to race around town very well.
Before the mod, I was getting around 48-50 mpg, and I'm a big guy. Now it seems that I'm getting low 40's, but not real sure yet. I havn't tried removing 1 of the washers yet due to my headache.
Are you going to be in the hills this weekend?
Quote from: LittleJacket on September 14, 2008, 09:28:01 PM
Are you going to be in the hills this weekend?
Yep, I'll be riding out with Jason on thursday.
My main needle is shimmed with one brass washer (.024). Two shims might be a cause of poor fuel economy.
I don't think messing with the pilot screw will change fuel economy much since it only controls the amount of fuel at idle and just above idle. ???
Ryan I have heard that your year klr in that color scheme is naturally a slower bike ;D
Quote from: fringefan on September 15, 2008, 05:44:03 PM
Ryan I have heard that your year klr in that color scheme is naturally a slower bike ;D
If thats the case then that would explain my slow bike too ;D Ryan you have a green/silver one right? ???
the green and silver ones are pretty butch, but notoriously slow.
barbie klr's are where it's at. sexy and 3.7 extra horsepower from the pink lettering.
i know you guys are jealous...
So do you loose the extra HP when the pink is removed? Did not think you had any left with that atrocious IMS tank you have.
i actually did lose a little when i removed the pink "KLR" lettering when the factory tank came off. i'm not sure if it was an actual horsepower loss, but it definitely felt a little slower. i almost put the rusty factory tank back on for that exact reason (and the simple fact that the aesthetics of the bike suffered immensely). those kawasaki engineers knew what they were doing when they designed that bike. EVERYTHING affects the way the bike performs.
fortunately there is still the pink "650" on the side covers, and they are very glossy and shiny (which is almost as important as the color). if it weren't for those, you guys would be leaving me in the dust.
Mine is green and black! My bike is the fastest KLR on the planet! It's only slower because it's hauling a "husky" boy like myself! I'll let you give my wife shit, just don't talk trash about my KLR or my dog for that matter! It's fast damnit, fast!
Don't own a KLR (yet) but know a little about this topic. OEM carbs are almost always set on the lean side (and tuned to the restrictive exhaust and intake) to lower emissions, maximize mileage, and run better in lower elevations (75% of motorcycles are sold on either coast). For us this results in hard starting, long warm ups, and possible overheating when finally warm on hot days. Most bikes run better here in the heartland if they are "fattened". This is particularily true if you do any exhaust work (or intake or both). The dynojet kits are usually spot on in the recommendations. Raising the needle and drilling the slide will help in lower rpm ranges, but will tend to leave a flat spot in the mid to upper range. Better to leave the needle (or replace with a more rounded taper), drill the slide and raise the main jet. IMHO!!! Warning, this will reduce mileage a bit.
Quote from: Dr psyko on January 14, 2010, 02:51:19 PM
Warning, this will reduce mileage a bit.
ryan figured that out on his first road trip after he did the mod. he had to do the klr lay over trick to get enough fuel to make it to the next stop. he thought he had plenty of fuel left. after seeing that, i don't mind my bike running lean. if i want more horsepower, smoother running, etc, i'll just hop on the blackbird.
another thing to consider is that if a bike is richened up at low altitudes and then driven up where there is some elevation (like colorado) it will be running very rich because of the extra fuel and decrease in oxygen.
i'm just trying to justify to myself why i should just leave my klr alone, even though a lighter exhaust and some carb tinkering would be fun!
Ryan did find after that first trip to the hills that he had the wrong sized washer under the needle too, so it was running REALLY rich.
You should still got low-mod 40s with the .22 mod from what I've seen. I think he was getting about 25 :)
I have done both the .22 cent mod and slide drilling. I get 43-48 MPG with my big ass riding it. It has helped a ton with cold starting and overall performance. I did multiple plug chops after shimming the needle and found it was just about the perfect amount. I was a litte conservitve and used two thinner washers. After doing the chop I think I could have done the full amount and still been mint.
not sure if I mentioned this, but last summer i did finally figure out what I did wrong with that .22 cent mod. The mistake I made was accidentally using stainless steel washers which were just a little too large in diameter not to mention the wrong material. The right way to do it is to use brass washers which are the proper material and diameter. I have to say, my .22 cent mod was a real pain in the ass and yes, I did run out of gas in the middle of nowhere SD. So, remember-don't do what I do-do it right!