mpg decrease

[DeanR]

My gas mileage seems to have gone down by about 4 miles per gallon since removing the octopus. Has anyone else experienced this?

[John]

Did you do any thing else to the bike that may have affected it? I can't see any reason why modifing the fuel delivery system should cause a change in milage.

[Pat Kelly]

My milage remains the same "post-octopus"

[DeanR]

No other changes. That's why it surprised me.

[pggg]

Lax, there's a simple explanation. The octopus was designed by the sensible shoes brigade to act as a power and speed reducer by limiting fuel flows. You're now actually travelling at twice the speed at the same throttle setting.

[Dragonrider]

Are you turning off your petcocks when stopped? Are you SURE they turn off? You may be leaking gas at a needle valve in the carb while not running and that will reduce your mileage.

It will also kill your engine if it's enough to leak into the cylinders and past them to the crankcase.

Careful!

[LoHo]

Have you noticed any other changes in the bike's running? Some back-firing, or hesitation, or weaker throttle response? I know that evertime someone mentions a bike ailment on this list, my bike catches it...

[DeanR]

Pretty much the only time I've noticed any backfiring is on downhill grades which I'm told is normal and to be expected. No other problems.............Besides not starting a few mornings ago, when of course I needed to ride somewhere. Battery I think?