Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Freak

I am ordering the AI removal kit, "D" tool and also thinking about the Freak kit. Simple question. Is it really worth the price? Would really like to get it in today so any quick reponses would be appreciated.

I did it on mine and never regreted it. I belive it is worth the cost.

IMO. I think it was a waste my of money. The only major advantage I can see is how much easier it is to pull the carbs if you have to. I have an annoying hammering sound @ 80mph. All of the brackets had to be bent to make everything fit together & it was kind of a PITA. You'd think for the $$$ they would have better quality control. I don't think there were any power gains when I switched from my modded air-box.

I disagree. I think the motor breathes much better and makes a little more power.I had no fittment problems at all went on like it was supposed to be there. No bending at all and comes with the K&N filters the brakets and bolts and carb jets. But everyone has thier own opinion. Also could be ,Yota, you got an early one before kinks were ironed out. I don't know that , just a guess.

the K&Ns are also washable and a little filter oil and away ya go. Makes it easier to lower due to chain clearance Like Yota said carbs are much easier to remove. Have room for a tool box under seat. I can keep going I think the Freak is almost a must.

only sound I ever heard was a throater exhaust note and can hear the carbs breathe a little.

The last time i took my 06 BA to the dealership i was proud to show off my bubs and K&N's however I was critized more than praised. The owner, who i consider to be quite knowledgable told me that the freak kits are a waste of money. He says that the carbs are designed with a certain amount of air pressure in mind that is acheived through the design of the stock airbox. After I took my testicles out of my purse and tried to defend myself, we finally found some middle ground- it's not such a bad idea to do the freak as long as you commit to re-jetting (of course), itsalling performance needles (their are adjustable needles out there) and also drilling the slides on your carbs. Drilling the slides was a project I wasn't to sure about trying but ended up being worth it. I noticed an immediate improved response in the throttle after drilling. Don't forget- Ride it like you stole it!

I agree with everything except the slide drilling not that I disagree just haven't done it and like you I am hesitant to do it. You left out the less restrictive exhaust too. better intake doesn't help if it can't get out the other end.

The slide drilling was super simple. Just be sure to deburr the holes when you're done. I did it by sliding a slightly larger drill bit in there and turning it by hand.

yota, I think you and I got some early FREAK kits... Sounds like most guys lately have had no problems. I know we installed Mark's at Pat's last fall with no trouble.

i had no problems with mine and after doing it felt it was worth it. i personally think it could/should be cheaper than it is but what ya gonna do. i would do it again

Frank

[ The owner, who i consider to be quite knowledgable told me that the freak kits are a waste of money. He says that the carbs are designed with a certain amount of air pressure in mind that is acheived through the design of the stock airbox].

Don't mistake factory compliance with EPA requirements. You were strangling your engine. Most companies(HD,YAMAHA,VICTORY) have a stage 1 kit that includes a set of pipes and a free flowing air cleaner. Ours just includes the AI removal........Angelis

Lizard,
Instead of the D Tool look at the Thumbscrews

Here

You'll never have to mess with a screwdriver of any sort in there.

Would the D-tool be necessary in order to remove the idle mixtures screws for replacement with the thumbscrews?

Dog - For a second there i thought you were answering yourself (same avatar) lol. Drilling the slides is a piece of cake. You have to pull the slides anyway to get the needles out, may as well go all the way. i think it really improved the throttle response.

I thought he had finally given into the voices and was just talking to himself also. Figured he would just start his own thread.

you don't have to pull the slides to get the needles out. you can pull them out with a pair of needle nose.

Would the D-tool be necessary in order to remove the idle mixtures screws for replacement with the thumbscrews?

No. I removed mine with thin needlenose pliers. Had to remove the carbs and flip em over to do it though. I then used a dremel tool with a cutting disc on it cut screwdriver slots in the D part and put em back in.

What size bit do you drill the slides with?? And where do you drill them??

The bit MUST be 7/64" and no bigger or you could drill into the side of the slide. The hole you are enlarging is the vacuum port in the top of the slide. When you pull the slide, you cannot miss this hole. Use a drill press and as Benny said, make sure you chamfer the hole. Be very careful of the diaphram!!

I know that the carbs started coming with this modification already made but I cannot tell you when. If you can run a 7/64" bit through, it's already done.

After I performed this mod on my 02, I absolutely have a quicker throttle response.

It's an extremely easy and effective mod.

How did it effect jetting if at all?

Not at all. Several people have also tried sourcing lighter springs with no luck. The Dynojet kits claim lighter springs but I don't think you can just get them without buying a kit.

btw, lighter springs = better throttle response

I didn't mess with the jetting, the only difference I felt was throttle response.

Oh and I did it without a drill press, but something to make sure the big goes straight is definitely reccomended.

I didn't buy the 'freak', but I did cut out the airbox and install pods. I also drilled the slides, rejetted, shimmmed the needles and switched to more open pipes. Could just be my hopeful imagination but the bike runs significantly better than stock. Sucking a bunch more air and gas through. Throttle response is immediate and strong, possibly from the drilling. I do however think that the freak is a bit pricey at $300. I managed to duplicate it for around $120 if I recall correctly.

Thats a very good solution. Wish I had thought of it. Basicly using whats left of the airbox as the Freak brackets.

That's right Dog. Also rerouted the crankcase breather and fabbed a small piece of sheet metal and attached it to the battery cover for the left side. Was pretty happy with how it worked out.

A myriad of responses as usual. Well my wife just got a Freak for mothers day although she does not know it. As for the other mods to go with it they sound like incentive instead of draw backs. I'll be sure to let you know how badly I screw it up as I am going to try and do it myself as much as possible. Want to learn as I go so I will be as familiar as possible with the bike.