Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Performance Mods Forgive me but...a Snorkle question with a twist

Newbie here with a subject I know has been discussed ad nausium but I couldn't find reference to my specific situation. I bought my bike with pipes already fitted, it had been jetted, AI removed. If I NOW removed the snorkel would it likely need to be re-jetted or might mixture adjustment suffice ?

more than likely a simple mixture adjustment might suffice...but what IS your current setup...pipes, jets, needles...that would help make a definitive call!

The pipes are DBA Performance pipes made by the guys at Hermys in PA (my dealer). To the best of my knowledge I have 160 mains, 42 pilots, stock needles. Does have K&N filter also.

Most folks seem to have better results by leaving the snorkles in after all. They help avoid surging in crosswinds. You can always just cut the bottom off the snorkle so it doesn't go all the way down into the filter to avoid this surging as well.
And usually just a 1/2 turn out on the pilot screws may be all you need for this mod.

When you say K&N you obvously mean the single airbox one and not the pods since you'e talking about the snorkel. This would suggest your mains must be much smaller than 160 or your bike would be WAAAAAAY rich at the top especially. Personally i'd pull the snorkel and check the mains and replace with a 130's or maybe the next lower (128?)if they aren't already there or close, and add a shim to the needles with that setup.

Thanks for the advice man. Yes - single filter not the Freak thing. I'll have to check the jets size 'cos the bike is running beautifully. Let me play this scenario out....what IF the mains are indeed 130's, and like I said the big is running really well, could I pull the snorkel and take her for a run to see if she feels OK, or is popping etc. ? If she feels good, could I assume the jetting is OK or is it possible I could damage the carbs or something without necessarily feeling a problem. I have read so many conflicting opinions about the snorkel but the majority seem to report some improvement with it removed if the jetting is correct.

It really depends on how close your jetting is at the moment. If say it was very lean, it wouldn't be a good idea to remove it unless you richen the jets. On the other hand if it's on the rich side removing it would make your state of tune better. In the middle you'd be getting a little leaner but not so much you couldn't leave it like that probably. If you want to do it, give it a shot. Not gonna hurt it to try it and run it around the block. If the bike feels stronger and runs great, get some new plugs and do a plug check and see if it looks too lean or just right. Also download Pat's jetting calculator and see where your jetting should be. It's pretty accurate IMO.

Yep, I agree.

If your jets are 160s, they are WAY too big for your setup. I have the K&N pods (Freak), started with 160s, found them too rich, and am at 150s now.

Do a checkout like daz suggests. You're not going to hurt anything like that.

Bob,
That is exactly what I mean, remove the bottom part of the snorkle and reinsert just the top part with the snout. Be sure to leave enough on the bottom for it to grip the filter cover though.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Much appreciated.

Also, another upside to the snorkel bottom being cutoff like Dinqua is saying is that water can't roll right off the top of the airbox and into your filter. (Well at least, it is more detered from getting in there. )

I just cut off the bottom in between the top line and the grommet part that holds it in the air box and put it back on the bike. I'll see if I can tell any difference (top or no top). Besides a little bit of water, I've gotten leaves in there with the top off. If there's little or no noticeable performance difference, I'd prefer the top on.

I have had NO noticable difference with the same. I have cut the bottom of the box out also.

I have tried with the top in after cutting & the snorkle completely removed.
I noticed a much greater perfomance increase with the snorkle completely removed.

Hi Pat,
I just played around with your Jet calculator - great tool; thanks for putting that together. I have an observation and question. My pipes are not listed - understandably as they are the TBA Performance pipes only from Hermys in PA. Great pipes by the way. I played around with some that I think are similar - TB's and "other open pipes" etc. and looked at Jets with and without Snorkel in each scenario. The calculator basically recommended 130 with and 133 without snorkel. I confirmed I have 130 mains now. Doesn't seem like a significant diff between 130 and 133 but is it ?

By the way - I recently moved to NJ from upstate NY - the Greece area of Rochester. Spent a lot of time in and around Canandaigua. Great part of the world man.

I do have the bottom drilled.
But I tried it before I had the airbox modified & it was better completely removed on my bike.

I did get a chance to ride yesterday with just the top of the snorkle on. It made so little difference, I think I'll keep in on for extra protection (water & debris). I cut all of the bottom off leaving just the grommet part to attach to the box. I also have a UNI filter but no additional drilled holes.

I'll try it awhile and see but the first reaction was very little difference. There could be a number of factors why someone else might notice a bigger difference, ie: jetting, carb adjustments, etc. The bike is still running great as ever.