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1st ride. have few ?'s

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  • #1

    1st ride. have few ?'s

    Finally got her running and rolling today....thanks to many or your input. Few questions....

    1. I put a brand new Mac exhaust system on. Went for two 1 hour rides (1 hour, stop and hang, 1 hour back home). Top of headers closest to block turned blue. This normal or mean I'm too rich or lean?

    2. When I first start she purrs at about 800rpm. After a few minutes riding it idles around 1500. This normal?

    Thanks
    Rob - 79 SF
    Tags: None
  • #2
    Mac exhaust are cheap and single walled, so they tend to BLUE or GOLD upon use. There's still debate on whether blue is too lean or rich...!

    I've read/heard too lean cause gold, and too rich cause blue due to the excess fuel getting burned IN the exhaust vs. just in the cylinders, so gets actually hotter than too lean!? Use the PLUGs to determine richness and just put up with the blue pipes....unless you're real ANAL about it's looks, then you can get stuff to remove the blue and use it every week!

    Next time you ride it and get it warmed up, adjust the main idle screw to dial it back down to the 11-1200 range. This may require you use the enrichener a little longer during warmup, but that's normal.

    T.C.
    T. C. Gresham
    81SH "Godzilla" . . .1179cc super-rat.
    79SF "The Teacher" . . .basket case!
    History shows again and again,
    How nature points out the folly of men!

    Comment

    • #3
      I dont care about the color. Just wanted to know about the rich/lean thing. Whats an enrichener?
      Rob - 79 SF

      Comment

      • #4
        Enrichener is the choke lever on the left side of the carb bank.
        1979 XS1100F
        2H9 Mod, Truck-Lite LED Headlight, TECHNA-FIT S/S Brake Lines, Rear Air Shocks, TKAT Fork Brace, Dyna DC-I Coils, TC Fuse Block, Barnett HD Clutch Springs, Superbike Handlebars, V-Star 650 ACCT, NGK Irridium Plugs, OEM Exhaust. CNC-Cut 2nd Gear Dogs; Ported/Milled Head; Modded Airbox: 8x8 Wix Panel Filter; #137.5 Main Jet, Viper Yellow Paint, Michelin Pilot Activ F/R, Interstate AGM Battery, 14MM MC, Maier Fairing, Cree LED Fog Lights.

        Comment

        • #5
          I have a Mac system on my bike. Gold is about right, blue is too lean. As was mentioned the Mac is a single walled system and some discoloration can be expected.

          Lean will cause EVERYTHING to be too hot. Pistons, valves, and yes, exhaust pipes. A little unburnt fuel will keep things cooled off.

          A nice tan/gold color on the down pipes means it's running about right. If they are dark blue or purple you're running lean.
          Greg

          Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

          ― Albert Einstein

          80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

          The list changes.

          Comment

          • #6
            After running some more,..the header pipes are DEF blue, close to purple in some spots. However I see some gold hues too. How to I make it run richer? Do I have to adjust each carb screw? Should I buy a gauge?
            Rob - 79 SF

            Comment

            • #7
              Mine was doing the same thing to begin when I put the Mac on. I went up 1 size on the pilots and the mains and increased low end response and stopped the bluing. ( I know because when I changed the jets I but on a brand new set of Mac 4 into 2).

              1 size was good but I probably could have gone 2.

              The mixture screws are pretty much for idle mixture only. They have virtually no affect on cruising or WOT RPMs..
              Greg

              Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

              ― Albert Einstein

              80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

              The list changes.

              Comment

              • #8
                BA80,...funny thing is I haven't had any jet issues. I actually took the mufflers off today and just ran straight pipes (out of the headers) just to see what would happen. Was expecting some issue, but it ran fine.

                Are you saying the only way to make it run richer is to change the jets? I thought there might be some sort of adjustment for rich to lean and vice verse.

                I have zero jet experience so any help pointing me in the direction of what and where to buy would be helpful. Thanks!
                Rob - 79 SF

                Comment

                • #9
                  You just posted a prime example of jetting issues.......BLUE HEAD PIPES. That indicates a lean condition. That will make an engine run hotter than it should. If you look at your plugs after a good hard WOT run they are most likely going to be almost white. HHHHOOOOOTTTTT!!!!!

                  Here are the recommendations for jetting with modifications.



                  http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=382
                  Greg

                  Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

                  ― Albert Einstein

                  80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

                  The list changes.

                  Comment

                  • #10
                    Wow....awesome info. I've decided to go open pipe and keep the foam Uni pod filters. Will use this to properly tune. I thought if I had the wrong jetting it would not run well.
                    Rob - 79 SF

                    Comment

                    • #11
                      You will NEVER get it tuned right with open pipes. The engine requires some exhaust back pressure to run properly.
                      Greg

                      Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

                      ― Albert Einstein

                      80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

                      The list changes.

                      Comment

                      • #12
                        Most engines do need some back pressure. So how do so many bikes run straight pipes? Like many "choppers".....
                        Rob - 79 SF

                        Comment

                        • #13
                          Badly........

                          Choppers aren't built to "run", they are built to look "cool" and sound "baaad" and hop from bar to bar and be curb queens.

                          Is that your goal?
                          Greg

                          Everybody is a genius. But if you judge a fish by its ability to climb a tree, it will live its whole life believing that it is stupid.”

                          ― Albert Einstein

                          80 SG Ol' Okie;79 engine & carbs w/pods, 45 pilots, 140 mains, Custom Mac 4 into 2 exhaust, ACCT,XS850 final drive,110/90/19 front tire,TKat fork brace, XS750 140 MPH speedometer, Vetter IV fairing, aftermarket hard bags and trunk, LG high back seat, XJ rear shocks.

                          The list changes.

                          Comment

                          • #14
                            Greg,

                            I believe you have convinced me to look at my jetting. I have been toying with the idea all summer. My kerker 4 into 1 is quite blue and I am running stock jets with stock air box. I recently changed my air filter to a K&N. My plugs are very clean as well. I do believe I need to go up a couple sizes on the mains and 1 on the pilots. I am getting worried that I am running too hot as you describe and don't want to burn anything up. I just ordered 4 45 pilots two 115 mains and two 125 mains. I am running stock jets in my 80LG.
                            2 - 80 LGs bought one new
                            81 LH
                            02 FXSTB Nighttrain
                            22 FLTRK Road Glide Limited
                            Jim

                            Comment

                            • #15
                              Originally posted by BA80 View Post
                              Badly........

                              Choppers aren't built to "run", they are built to look "cool" and sound "baaad" and hop from bar to bar and be curb queens.

                              Is that your goal?
                              I want loud and run good. Is that attainable?
                              Rob - 79 SF

                              Comment

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