Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums General Tech How lean is too lean?

My bike (06 America) runs great, pulls hard, starts easy. The only issue it has is backfireing on deceleration.AI is removed, air intake is all stock, and I have the short turn down pipes from JCW. The PO told me that when she got it (I am the 3rd owner) it had open pipes on it and she did not like the noise so she put stock mufflers back on it. So I don't know if the jetting is stock or not. I do know that with the stock mufflers it did not run as good as now with the open pipes. It did not start as easy, and it would backfire through the carbs once in a while. Didn't have as much power either.
I pulled the plugs, they have some residue on them, but over all they just look real clean.
If backfires are all I have to worry about then it's all good, but if it could still burn up even tho it's running great...................

I run open pipes 18" turn downs no baffles. Some popping is to be expected with open pipes but mostly should grumble. If it starts good when its cold and in cold weather like in the 40s then you are probably close. It sounds like it was rich with the stock pipes on. Here is a jet calculator. http://dinqua.com/Triumph/Executables/JetCalculator2010.exe

It starts easily when it's in the high 20's low 30's out. I'm a nut, I will ride in 25* weather no problem. LOL!

Then you are probably good if it starts good and runs good then it is good. Open exhausts are loud and grumblely and pop on occasion. It could be the throttle position sensor just unplug it from the wireing harness and leave the other part attached to the carb. If you remove it it can be a pain to reset it right.

I will try that.
What are the TPS's controlling with the AI system disconnected?

http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/forums/...e=16#Post405369
This is a long threat with more info than you probably want.

THANK YOU! Lots of good info in that link.

no problem.

OK, seriously! Has there ever been a harder to get to, or more securely locked electrical connection on any motorcycle ever built?!?
I can see it, sorta, I can feel most of it, and short of pulling the air box and carbs I can't see anything that I can get out of the way to have better access to it. And it will NOT come apart.
This is worse than a rubix cube to solve LOL!

I got to mine, by taking out the battery.

OMG! Now I just feel dumb! LOL!
Heading out to pull the battery

Well, pulling the battery didn't help. But the point of a rattail file got the job done at last

let me know how all this works out for ya.

1st short ride to work:
It started just a bit easier this morning, I didn't have problem before, but it was very quick to fire.
I could take it off the choke in about 10 seconds. Normally, for a morning like this, 1-2 min. on the choke.
It ran about the same as before, with one difference, little to no backfiring on deceleration!!!
I will update this after I have ridden it for a few days with more definitiveness on the results.

Another TPS convert!

It is a triangular plug with a tab/lock on one side that has to be lifted to release. Can't remember if you have to squeeze the lock tab or lift it with a screwdriver but it was a bugger. Once you have it unplugged, reroute the cable to make it more accessible.

If you can't get it unplugged, don't think that simply unbolting the sensor from the carb body will help. The CDI unit will think that the carbs are shut and mess your performance up.

Aww forget what I posted.....didn't read far enought ahead. Glad you got it sorted out.

Yeah, have to squeeze it. I felt like a squirell trying to get peanuts out of a coke bottle! LOL! I used the point of a rat tail file to depress the lock tab from the right side of the bike, with 2 fingers behind it to hold it in place.

So on topic here:
If the bike is running good, without any issues, it is not to lean......yes?
I have to laugh at my self here, I can build a bike from the ground up. I can make the frame, I can build the engine, so on and so forth. But I can't lace a wheel, and I can't fine tune an engine worth a d@m LOL!
I got buddies that can help (and do) but no one has the time right now, so I am feeling my weakness bad right now. I'm really thankful for you guys and this site.

*UPDATE*
So after over a week of ridding, this is where I'm at:
Starts, and warms up quicker
Runs smooth, little to no poping/backfires (and I have SHORT pipes)
Power is good, but different now. Low end feels a little better, midrange feels a bit dead now, high end goes QUICK!