Slower After Gasket Replacement?

>ScCruisin< · #1 06-15-2009, 09:42 PM

I recently viewed the Tip sticky and decided to go out and buy some high temp gasket paper and fix a couple other things with my bike,thread lock etc...
So I made some gaskets for the carburetor and the muffler. The old one on the carb was practically all gone, melted almost, and the muffler one was cracked, burnt, and oily. I replaced the 2 and tightened everything back up, using thread lock to secure it all. I started up my bike to let it warm up and the first thing i noticed was that it was quieter and seemed like it was idling at a lower rpm than usual. It almost sounded weaker for some reason, too. I walked back in my garage to let it warm up, and i heard it stall. This has never happened before. So i started her back up, then adjusted the idle screw to what i remembered the engine sounded like previous to me fixing the gaskets.
When I took it for a ride, it just felt like it had a little less power and speed for some reason. The bike kept bogging down at WOT at first, but got better as I rode.
I noticed it performing not as well as it did before in general...any ideas guys? Thanks a bunch!

reg454 · #2 06-15-2009, 09:46 PM

When you remade the gaskets did you make sure they were the same size as the intake flange and exhaust flange. ie the holes were as big. if the intake one was smaller then you would be getting less fuel and air to your motor and if your exhaust wasn't you would get less flow through your pipe and it would decrease the hp.

Can you post some pics of the before and after for us.

Venice Motor Bikes · #3 06-15-2009, 09:52 PM

It feels like it has less power because there is more pressure in the exaust now! (no leaks)
And the idle is lower because there isn't anymore air leaking into the intake manifold...
It sounds like you did everything right!!! "Good job"... Now just readjust the idle screw.

>ScCruisin< · #4 06-15-2009, 10:29 PM

Reg, I just put it all back together so i dont really want to rip it apart again, but i will if i have to. And I made sure that all the holes were pretty much identical, it definetly wasnt enough to reduce power. And venice, so what im feeling is good?!? will it ever go back to how it was, or do i now just have an engine with a little less power but its sealed off better so it will be better for it in the long run? Thanks...

reg454 · #5 06-15-2009, 11:01 PM

ok ScCruisin. you might want to try a different exhaust then from what Venice Boy said. Or you could take the end off of your exhaust ant cut an inch off the pipe that is in it mounted to the end cap.

**Bikeguy Joe** · #6 06-16-2009, 08:13 AM

If you sealed it all up, you may be running a bit rich. Check your plug and adjust the "C" clip if needed.

Also, if the exhaust was really leaking badly, you will have a little less power, and noise.

>ScCruisin< · #7 06-16-2009, 03:20 PM

Sorry Im new to most of this...what is the C clip and how to i adjust it? And my plug should be brown right? not black or white? Thanks in advance.

**2door** · #8 06-16-2009, 09:26 PM

Do not screw around with the exhaust. Don't take the end cap off and don't shorten anything. The 'C' clip is inside the carb. It is on the needle that the throttle cable pulls. It is a small 'C' shaped clip that depending on which groove on the brass needle it is in determines your mixture. Upper grooves give you less fuel,a leaner mix, the lower grooves richen the mixture. Do what BikeGuy Joe suggested. You were probably running lean due to air leaks in your intake and exhaust. A dark plug indicates a rich mixture. A light brown or white plug tells you that you're running lean. Ideally you want the porcelain of the plug a tan to brown color. Keep us posted on what you find and we're here to help. At least most of us are.
Tom

>ScCruisin< · #9 06-17-2009, 03:10 AM

Thanks Tom...
I notice the engine to be running more smooth and consistent, if you know what i mean(im sure you do). But i just dont have the acceleration or top end that i did before the gasket replacement. Its not a huge difference, but definitely noticeable. I will look at the plug in the morning when i get the chance to see and report how my engine is running. Im not sure if this means anything, but im almost positive that i notice more smoke coming out of the exhaust since the gasket change also. Could this have something to do with my change in power, or maybe a clue as to whats wrong with my bike, which im pretty confident is a very minor issue,,,
Thanks,
Chris
l

Junster · #10 06-17-2009, 03:45 AM

I agree you sealed up your leaks that were causing the motor to run leaner. Now that's it's sealed up you need to lean out the carb a little.