Check these spark plugs out and tell me what you think.

cpotts454

Thanks!!

Looks lean to me, but is it lean because of my jets combo or timing? I dunno... need some input!

Thanks!!!!

Retiredgentleman

www.dansmc.com/Spark_P...talog.html

HndaTch627

A little lean but IMO perfect.

cpotts454

Thanks RG, but I've already got that website bookmarked.

Check this site out though,

www.4secondsflat.com/S...ading.html

I dont know if it applys to the xs, but Im interested in learning the timing part of reading a plug.

jimmythetrucker · Full Member Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 1283

I don't know about the rest of you, but I'm not ready to believe anything put up by a guy who talks about an engine having "too much timing." Just in case he's right, though, I'll remember not to adjust my timing so often or to change it quite so much.

FWIW, Mr. Potts -- I think your mixture is a little on the lean side. But only a little. I'm not enough of a carb guy to know if you need to raise the needle one notch or go to the next size bigger main. I think it may also be true that your decision to factor timing in here may be rooted in your reluctance to tear them carbs down one more time. I can't fault you for that: I wouldn't want to diddle with the carbs either, but I believe you're into a bit of wishful thinking all the same.

RG? Jayel? XSJohn?

cpotts454

I hear ya Jimmy. I've had the carbs off at least 25 times, I should be a pro by now. The bike pulls clean through all gears and all RPMS, so I am worried about changing any jets...

I guess it is wishful thinking that it might be a timing issue. Timing is dead on from the best I can tell, I have pamcopetes iggy and I have a double image with my timing light. I plugged the timing right in the middle of the double image.

I do think I am some watt lean because every now and again I get some backfiring on deceleration, but only when I am running at higher RPM for a mile or more. I have open header pipes so I've kind of discounted my decel backfire on this.

yamaman

Maybe you should try setting the ignition to the most retarded strobe flash.
Then if they don't darken up a tad, perhaps one size larger main. They look like it's running well, but a little insurance wouldn't hurt!

Are they BS38's? Also what plugs are they?

I take it your cam chain & valves are adjusted right? What valve clearances are you running?

cpotts454

BS38s, with 145 mains, and 35 pilots jets. Idle mixture screws are approximately 5 and 5 1/2 turns out left and right respectively. Pod filters from Mikes, and open stock header pipes. Valve clearances are set to .004 intakes, .006 exhaust. Engine temperatures are 215 and 255, left and right respectively, on a 60 degree night after a short but hard ride.

Plugs in that picture are autolights (knock off for NGK at autozone). Currently I have NGK BP7ES, and it seems the left plug is browning up a bit, but the left plug is still a chalky white like the pictures shown.

Thanks for the help yamaman, I will try that timing out at see what happens, I am just worried about dabbling in what I have with out some input of the experts on this site. It runs so strong right now. =)

yamaman

Don't be scared to have a crack at it, though I certainly wouldn't lean it off any more of course!
You can always change it back if needed!

Retard back even a little more if needed before changing jets. If you end up needing to retard it a huge amount, then maybe raise the needles or up the jets & lower the needles. If you do everything just one step at a time, I'm sure that you'll work it out! Cheers

jimmythetrucker · Full Member Joined: Mar 12, 2008 Posts: 1283

I saw it posted somewhere on this site -- one of the carb gurus said "if best idle is more than three turns out, go to a bigger pilot jet. If best idle is less than two turns out, go to smaller pilot jet."

Hows about it fellers? Is that good advice or not?

cpotts454

There you go then Jimmy, now that you said that, I think I have heard it once before.

It runs fine turned in to 3 turns out, the only reason I turned them to 5 is to try and compensate the decel back fire, but it seems to have little effect on it. I am going to check the timing and valve lash before I buy more pilots. Plus I gotta find $50 worth of stuff to buy!

Speaking of finding stuff to buy, where can I find that gear ratio excel chart that has the RPMS at certain speeds on it? Since the change in the site theme I cannot find anything I am looking for without the google search engine.

cpotts454

Nevermind, I found the excel sheet, I had to scroll a few pages but I found her.

P.s. To the site admin, add the google search back!! =)

xsjohn

""""""""""215 and 255, left and right respectively""""""""""
Just think how that is gong to pan in the summer ....especially on a longer ride at higher speeds........wow

Have had a fix for that for over 2 years now.......... xsjohn

pamcopete

[quote="cpotts454"]I guess it is wishful thinking that it might be a timing issue. Timing is dead on from the best I can tell, I have pamcopetes iggy and I have a double image with my timing light. I plugged the timing right in the middle of the double image.

Cpotts454,

If you are getting a double image when setting the PAMCO timing, try connecting the timing light to the other cylinder spark plug wire. You could also adjudt your timing chain. The two marks should be well within the "F" zone.

If that doesn't help, then PM me with your address and I will send you a new rotor.

xsjohn

Guess it's a prerequisite for owning an XS that you not listen to someone that might know the answer...........xsjohn

cpotts454

xsjohn, if your referring to pamcopetes response, I already ask that question in his forum and no one responded to me. Now if your referring to your comment about temperatures then I might say its not a good way to make a sell insulting a customer.

None the less, I listen to the best of my ability and I try and take any advice. This is the first automobile I have ever done work on so I am pretty much just as green as you can be.

But hey John, Im not going to hate. I just took my temps on a hard stop and go traffic 30 min ride with a infrared thermometer (which you suggested I buy) and I got 280 on the left, and 290 on the right. If I buy your needles, what would my temps be running?

What Happened to 650rider.com?

Yamaha xs650