Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods The pros and cons of freaking

Just wondering;having recently began dancing with the freak, how those of you that also have feel about it. As in general rideing, fuel milage, and problems associated with running this setup.

I have been extremely happy with the change to the freak. I did not get the full effect until I put on the Bub exhausts.

I was told when I bought the Bubs that 160s were too large and they sent 130s and 45s for pilots. I have not changed them out but I tend to think 130s would be too lean. My plugs look really good.

Also, I have toyed with the airmix screws and found it best on my bike @ 4 turns out. This may seem extreme but no popping, very good throttle response.

Waiting on the dyno to install Thruxton needles and start the whole tweeka-polooza all over again.

Hi, In my experience, there are only minor irritations with the Freak, nothing to outweigh the benefits. Just some things that I've run into: Riding through New Orleans on really crappy local roads, whenever the rear suspension bottomed out, the chain would start eating into the tool kit, and that right-sided arm that cradles the tool kit, and then just keeping an eye on the K&N Filter pods so that they didn't fall off the carbs.
My mileage went down when I installed the freak, not because of the mod itself, but because it was so much fun that I rev the ****** outta that engine now. Above 4000 rpm, and with the throttle all the way open, all you'll hear is intake, and it's the coolest sound in the world. I can't understand NOT putting the freak on, one of the best bang-for-the-buck mods we can do for these bikes, the tool kit is just icing on the cake.

Not trying to chase a customer from Brent, but...have you considered the free hole in the bottom of the airbox mod first? You can do this and then patch it easily if you don't like the end results. People that have done it (Bluesbass, GaryJames, Skippy) say the results are excellent. And it is quick, easy and did I mention the FREE part?
I have the freak on my Speedmaster and it works great. But, it is a lot of work to get it in, But once in, fuggetaboutit. The chain klanks on the bottom of the bracket and will eat a hole through the tool box, or just bend it up and toss the toolbox like I did. Besides, the toolboxes leak and will fill with water and can ruin tools. I figured that part out the hard way.

Dinqua - could you please elaborate on the 'free hole in the bottom of the airbox' mod? Thanks.

FREE Hole in the bottom of airbox mod:
(I have not done this myself but the principal is pretty simple.)
You remove your snorkle then the air filter.
Then cut a hole slightly smaller than the bottom of the air filter in the bottom of the airbox. Smaller in order for the air filter to not fall out the bottom later. You can put a piece of screen over the hole to keep crap out too. Cut the bottom of the filter out in the middle but leave the edges intact.

This gives you an open top and bottom for freer air flow through the filter into the carbs.

Some have just drilled several large holes instead of one large one and accomplished the same thing.

Then reinsert the air filter and zoom away. Rejetting will be necessary as you just increased your airflow quite a bit.

If you don't like the end results, just replace the filter with a new one that has a bottom to it, or just put a piece of thick plastic over the bottom hole, and you're back to square one.

Interesting.

Anyone want to weigh in on the pros/cons of "clean air" as found in an Airbox vs filters hanging out in "dirty air". This maybe purely theory as the vast majority of Freak owners rave about the results. Is it possible to increase mileage with a Freaked bike?

you will probably get less mpg because the freak allows more air than the stock air box which inturn requires more fuel. This will increase horsepower/torque while decreasing fuel economy.

-Josh

Let me see. It's been awhile since I installed my "Freak," - but, as I recall, when I first installed it, IT FREAKING BLEW ME AWAY!

That's my dim rememberance of my first impression.

"pros/cons of "clean air" as found in an Airbox vs filters hanging out in "dirty air". "


Isn't that why we have air filters?

Thanks for the replys. Had already done the hole in the bottom of the air box thing. Just didn't feel you could achieve optimum performance with that method. Come to think of it i don't know why im trying to seek peak performance. That was the main reason for my post. Anyway to late know the freak was already installed when I started this post. And I was just wondering if all this trouble i'v put myself through has a real point. Is the power gained worth the expense in fuel mileage. I know before I started these adventures my bike would easy get 50mpg with epco's and 130 mains. The last time I checked it I was down to 44mpg after air box mods and 132 mains. So know I gone further into this thing. Haven't had time or the weather to check it since the freak and besides im not through teaking it. I just was wondering I opened up this whole can of worms to begin with.

I really should proofread my posts first. Maybe you can make some sense out it. I can almost.

I'll put in my 3cents worth on the Freak.
This goes into the been-there-done-that column. At first I thought that I needed all the HP I could get out of this bike. This was probably brought about by 2 things. A somewhat less than stellar career racing motocross, and the undeniable demons that hound you when you get past age 50. Now don't get me wrong...I still love to tinker with the mechanics of the bike, just not as much as in the past. Sadly, I have succummed to the lazy attitude of "if it ain't broke don't fix it". I now prefer to ride with the peace and contentment that I'll make it to where I'm headed without any big problems. I know there are plenty out there who have been very pleased with the Freak set-up. If you're one of them, good for you. I just never really got it all straightened out. In the past this would have been a challenge that would be met with determination and, ultimately, success. These days I just ponder the situation, have a beer, then ponder some more. After all this pondering and beer, I usually forget what the problem was. Therein lies my plight. It is so much easier just to get on and ride. I am confident the engineers @ Hinckley have done their homework. Once the government mandated stuff is removed and a few cosmetic touches have been applied, this is really all the bike I need.

happily motoring, TM

Makes a lot of sense Mouse. The Freak sounds great, but I'm real pleased to just get out for a cruise. No land speed records will ever be set with me in the saddle. And I agree, the boys across the pond have come up with a pretty decent setup in the stock configuration, that just happens to get better with a bit of tinkering. Maybe the best of both worlds...

i did the hole in the filter/box mod w/ rejetting and can notice the difference. i also have the long tors (later louder tors) and the performance is much better. seems like someone dynoed their hole box.

anyone recall who?

if anyone wants some pics, i can tear it down this weekend and take some.

cat

Quote:

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the pros/cons of "clean air" as found in an Airbox vs filters hanging out in "dirty air".

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Huh? Maybe that Filmore air is much dirtier than our clean air here in Western NY? I know the air there is orange colored, ours is transparent.
Isn't the air in the box the same air that comes from the atmosphere, or do you have some sort of cool air injection system installed?

Yea I was wondering about that clean air,dirty air thing. But Im not all that smart so I didnt want to ask. I was thinking maybe it was related to that dirty bomb thing the news folks are always going on about. Anyway another question. If some of you have the time. What kind of gas milage are you getting running the freak. Also do you think maybe we have lost some bottom end power with the freak. Again im sorry for some of the spelling and grammer errors in this and previous post. It just never seems to come out on the screen the way im thinking it.

I got the Freak and I love it, I took the fake air cleaners off and removed the brackets as well, to expose the carbs. To me it looks more like the old Trumps than those chrome and plastic covers. I doubt you will be dissapointed, especially with a new set of pipes.

trash,
After the FREAK I was getting about 45 mpg as opposed to the 50 mpg with the stock air box. I have since gone to the 19 tooth front sprocket and am now getting 48-50 mpg again. The whole reason for me installing the FREAK was so I could use a bigger front sprocket for lower RPM's on my longer rides (4,500+ miles) without sacrificing the "out of the hole" advantage. When I take the Interstate freeways I was only getting about 40 mpg at the higher speeds. This has worked really well for me. It takes some tweaking, but for me it was well worth it.

I mostly ride one up and do not have to stop on many hills for an uphill take off. It took some getting used to, but I also like the bigger sprocket better now. Some have said you have to run in 4th too much with the 19 tooth, but I don’t really see the disadvantage and am not afraid to shift a little bit. There is a really noticeable difference in the RPM’s when running 70-75 on the Interstates and I don’t mind “putting” in 4th sometimes on the local mountain roads.

ooooya,

It's funny, but when I installed "the Freak," I experienced much better gas mileage. I used to have to switch my petcock to reserve somewhere between 130 to 140 miles. Now I switch my petcock to reserve between 155 to 165 miles. That is with 160 main-jets, - with .020 needle shims, and a 19 tooth primary sprocket.

I would add, however, that the 19-tooth primary sprocket significantly diminishes my "out of the hole" ability. It's almost like dropping the clutch in second gear, - but I don't care about that. Holeshots don't give me much of a thrill anymore. The Barnett heavy-duty clutch kit (my next upgrade) is what the doctor orders for the aforementioned configuration.

-BT

Hey Mark, the mileage gain is probably from gearing her higher and not the Freak mods. When I went to the Freak I used 135 mains, 45 pilot and one needle shim. My prower improved with only a slight decrease in mileage. Once they go back to normal fuel formulas in spring I'll get to see what I can expect from here on out for gas consumtion. Been riding much with the weather we've been having?
Steve

Shakey,

Good hearin from you. I took a 100 mile cruise after work last night. I used my heated clothing because after dark it gets a bit nippy. Anyway, you are right about the 19-tooth primary being a major contributor to my much improved gas mileage. However, I was getting better gas mileage before I installed the larger primary sprocket. It could be because of a whole roster of things I did. Like plugging off the AI hole, using full-synthetic oil (AMSOil), installing the nickel-platinum plugs, proper tire pressure, and, of course, riding/throttle habits. But, all of this came together shortly after I installed "the Freak."

Whatever it is, it's working.

Let me know when you all are going to meet again at the "Poodle Dog."

-BT

I am getting ready to install the Freak on my BA, hopefully before Bike Week. Should I just pitch the tool box that came with it and avoid future problems??

BT
the "out of the hole" that I was concerned about was too little power to take off without slipping the clutch. So like you I see a difference with the 19 tooth, but am happy with the setup. I am not one to race or see who can take off the fastest. That was my younger days macho thing. I just enjoy the ride now, just cruise on down the road and not worry about if someone else thinks I am not moving fast enough, or on occasion moving too fast.

ooooya,

I'm of the same mind as you on this. So the 19-toother suits me.

You might find this interesting though. Last summer, a buddy of mine & I were touring in Montana. For a time we encountered a strong direct headwind. It was the middle of nowhere, so we were cruising fast. Anyway, with that 19-tooth primary in 5th gear I noticed going into that strong headwind it was difficult to acquire enough torque to maintain 100mph. Dropping to 4th gear (with the 19-toother)solved that problem. So, I concluded, 5th gear with that larger primary sprocket should be thought of as an "overdrive" gear (suitable only for specific situations).

-BT

PS - In the right environmental circumstances, I could easily peg my Speedy's speedometer with that overdrive gear.

Most of us have experienced the clank from the chain and holey toolboxes. You bend the end of the bracket up and put in a smaller toolbox though. There are some little rubbermaid containers that fit perfectly and are much more watertight.
Freak out dood!

Shakey and BikerThug, you guys are makin' me homesick (from Gig Harbor). I'm down here on the boring Texas Gulf Coast, raining like a mother, can't get any work done, can't ride, and the radar shows unusally good weather in WA. You can thank me, cuz if I was there, the weather'd be nasty. You're welcome. H.P.

I installed the freak over a year ago and did have some issues. Here's the link to the archive:
http://www.bonnevilleamerica.com/message...cussion_member=

The performance increase was definitely worth it and I did not see any significant drop in mileage. With some good aftermarket pipes (my choice was Epco) I am very happy with the performance.

Hey drhammer, I remember you working on the left side brackets and was wondering what you ended up doing there. Do you have a pics you can upload of what it looks like?

USFBull, don't pitch the toolbox. If you have a toolroll up front, you can use it for a lot of the smaller stuff. Just put the whole thing in a ziplock to keep out the water. Are you going to bike week?

First day I'v really been able to ride since installing the freak kit. Have made some sort runs, but today it was a toasty 44 degrees and besides I needed to carry some freight bills over to courltand . Nice little 90 mile round trip. After jetting and syching and just doing things because i'v been bored this winter it seems to run just fine. Come to think of it, it was running just fine before. Anyway to the point. Before I was running a modified air box and filter with 138 jets. With the freak now in place im running 155s curently. Completely satisfied with the kit and the results so far. Just wanted to add though. I think you can achieve close to the same performance from a modified air box. This is all seat of the pants mind you, no dyno numbers to back it up. But for those who dont want to go the route of the freak; I think the modified air box will yield satisfactory results. I mainly did the freak cause I got a good deal on it from a member here and I was extremely bored. But springs coming. Sometime....

Hey there regarding the modified airbox. How many holes did you drill through the bottom of the uni filter and box? How big where the holes? When the holes were added to the bottom of the box did you notice increased Intake air noise?

Steve

Yes, heading to Daytona for the second weekend. I think we are going over Wed. thru Sat. May be tough to find rooms this year though after the hurricane damage they received. Most places still want a 5 night minimum to stay there too. I went last year for the first time and had an absolute blast!!

-Alan

I cut out the entire bottom of the unifilter. (Have one if anybody wants it). Drilled numerous 1/2 inch holes to match the ellpitic of the unifilter. Just spaced the equally around the cut out in the unifilter. I also cover the bottom with foam mesh air condition filter to keep dirt out. With any increase in air intake I think you get a little more noise, but nothing dramatic. This set up ran well with 132 mains and 45 pilots on mine. Maybe could have gone to 135s. But im way past that now.

Phil,

Reading your past write-up on your Freak installation, I notice you just installed the new main jets that came with the kit. Did you need to do anything to the pilots? I am in Tampa and about the same elevation as Lauderdale so we should be running about the same setup. I have the TA Off-Road shorty pipes on my bike now and have removed the AI too. Thanks for sharing yur experiences with me and save me from future mistakes and tough lessons learned.

Alan

Hi Alan,

I have never touched the pilots because I don't (and didn't) have any complaints about the low end. Stock pilots seem to work quite well. I had the TOR shorties also when I did the Freak (don't know if I mentioned it in that write-up) and the difference with the Freak and the 160 mains was noticable. I got Epcos as a Valentine's present (man, do I love my wife!!!) and then the performance was VERY noticable.

Letting her breathe in and out were the best mods I have done...

The next change I am going to make is the Thunderbird Sport needles as I do a have a bit of a flat spot in the mid-RPMs. Not much, but it's there.