Running too rich?

[Paul G]

My 97 Vmax exhaust smells very rich. Is there any adjustments to make? any way to tell what is causing it?

[Mike Hart]

The answers to your questions: yes, and yes.

Too much fuel? Not enough air? Stuck V-boost? Is your VMax stock? What kind of gas mileage do you get? If you are in mid 30's or better, don't worry about it if it runs well.

Try the VMOA page - that's the V Max Owners Assoc - there is a link there to their msg boards.

[Paul G]

It is stock as far as I can tell. I bought it from the third owner. The pipes are the original looking black pipes. Not aftermarket. But that doesnt mean that the bike didnt have aftermarket pipes on it at some time in the past.

Could it be that the carbs have been jetted for performance pipes, pipes removed before selling bike, carbs still jetted? Owner knows nothing? What would happen if that is the case?

I have only put about 180 miles on the bike since I got it. The Chicago area weather SUCKS this spring. Thats a whole nother post! I did fill the tank and run about 130 miles till resrve. say about four gallons. Roughly then 32 MPG.

V boost kicks in like crazy above 6200 RPM. Then just hang on!

I did post on Yahoo groups. Stone age forum! No repies. We got the cats a$$ here as forums go.

Thanks a ton.

Paul

[Mike Hart]

As for what "could be", well, you don't know unless you tear into the carbs and compare what's in there to stock specs.

130 mi to reserve is about average for stock VMax, iirc. If it runs good, I wouldn't worry about it - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!