De-Smog

[deadwood]

2001 I/S. 65000 Miles

By bike runs great. Is there any compelling reason to do the de-smog mod?

[PhredValk]

I haven't done it yet, but will when I install my cruise control. Mostly just to clean up all the junk on top of the engine. I understand a lot of vacuum leak issues stem from the smog gear, which is why most owners do it.
Fred.

[Chiefy]

Compelling? No.  Some of us think your vacuum lines will go bad sooner then later, but that can fixed at the time without a desmog too.  

A friend nudged me into doing mine.  I thought I had a slight vacuum leak, so figured "what the heck?"  It didn't change anything in that regard.  The bike ran ever so slightly better when I was done, but I had also replaced the intake Orings, petcock vacuum line, and set the pilots.  So it's hard to say what made it (slightly) better.  For that tiny difference in performance it's not really worth it.

[JC]

Not really.

My opinion, once you begin to have trouble with old lines becoming brittle or leaking it is probably a good idea to just remove the entire source of the problem, instead of repairing it. Go ahead and do a full desmog when you decide it is time.

One of the first year's models, my 97 Tourer was built in Aug 96, so the bike is now almost 15 years old. The hoses on it were beginning to crack, so I did a partial desmog initially, but found the auto parts store caps that I used degraded quickly and required replacement each season.

I realized then that all the hoses, o-rings, and seals were likely in the same shape (I was right), and when rebuilding the carbs I decided to clean out absolutely every vacuum hose except the #6 to petcock, and every valve, can, and assembly related to the emissions since I was in there already. Capped or plugged all the ports using Redeye's parts as has been previously described here and are easily searched.

Never a problem since and runs strong.

[Dougs2000IS]

2000 interstate with 68k. My desmog worked great. Apparently I did have ALOT of vacuum leaks. It seams like I gain HP, TORK, and just all around runs much nicer. I thought ran well before. The only draw back and problem I still have is exhaust fumes, of which that is a different topic which I am going to post a new topic again. I think I need long pipes! Anyway you might be totally amased with the results when you desmog. IMOH.

[SANDMAN5]

The main reason I did my 98 std was to get rid of
the dreaded 'popping on decel'. Worked great!! Got
rid of %100 of it. Does it run better? Don't know.
But it's easier to ride in the twisties because now
I can use the gear of my choice and not have to
listen to the popping.

[Hook#3287]

I did my first 99 CT, that I bought new, sometime around 2005 or 2006.  I was having the decel popping and the 3 to 4 carb vac line was toast.  Instead of replacing the line and doing it again in 5 years, I did the de-smog, but in a way that I can reinstall if needed.  The OEM rubber tubes that go from the chrome lines and the reed valve chambers, I plugged with JBweld and put em back on.  I made Intake plugs out of left over vac line cut to 1-1 1/2 inches and screws.  I zip tied two of the chrome pipes to each other on both sides, to keep them from moving around and the other two are held by OEM brackets.  All the other parts are sitting in my cellar.  Looking at the bike, it's all looking stock, but under the carbs is much cleaner.

Did the other two this winter, the same way.

Can't tell you if there was any difference before and after, but I've got no more popping.