Power question

[cashman]

I just took my 99 IS (22000 miles) to a reputable Honda dealer to have them do a go-thru and replace all fluids, air filter, and plugs. 

I was very pleased with the mechanic.  He was an older fellow that has worked on valks a lot.  This is the main reason I traveled 50 miles to have HIM work on my bike.

When I got my bike back, I am so impressed with how smooth everything works and the bike runs super.  The only issue is that it is not as fast or powerful as is was before.  Once again, it runs super smooth, and I can live with it, but it has lost some of that aggressive power it had.

Any thoughts??

 

[sandy]

Look on the work order ticket and see if the pilot valves were adjusted. Some folks run them a bit rich which gives a bit more power. But MPGs suffer. He may have brought them back into spec with an exhaust gas analyzer. Check mileage for a couple of tanks.

[Ricky-D]

I just took my 99 IS (22000 miles) to a reputable Honda dealer to have them do a go-thru and replace all fluids, air filter, and plugs. 

I was very pleased with the mechanic.  He was an older fellow that has worked on valks a lot.  This is the main reason I traveled 50 miles to have HIM work on my bike.

When I got my bike back, I am so impressed with how smooth everything works and the bike runs super.  The only issue is that it is not as fast or powerful as is was before.  Once again, it runs super smooth, and I can live with it, but it has lost some of that aggressive power it had.

Any thoughts??

 

Don't worry about it!

That's simply your mind playing tricks on you.

***

[pancho]

Good point,,,, if it is running much smoother you may not be as aggressive with the throttle.

[cashman]

I do agree with you, I really can live with it.  I was riding my IS last weekend and my nephews tourer.  Mine used to be as fast or faster, but now it is absolutely no contest.  Riding side by side he can leave me in the dust even if I downshift and he doesn't.  It's not even close.

I am just surprised at the performance difference!  I still love her!!!!!!

[The emperor has no clothes]

I do agree with you, I really can live with it.  I was riding my IS last weekend and my nephews tourer.  Mine used to be as fast or faster, but now it is absolutely no contest.  Riding side by side he can leave me in the dust even if I downshift and he doesn't.  It's not even close.

I am just surprised at the performance difference!  I still love her!!!!!!

Something doesn't seem right here. Even if the pilots were adjusted it doesn't seem like it would make that much difference. I would think something must have been done to lose performance. I would ask the mechanic about it, if he is a pro as you stated he shouldn't get butthurt about it.

[Chaosandconfusion]

wow, for a minute there I thought you wrote  22,000 to find a good mechanic

Must clean glasses more offend

[The emperor has no clothes]

wow, for a minute there I thought you wrote  22,000 to find a good mechanic

Must clean glasses more offend

Well a good mechanic is hard to come by!

[Patrick]

Something doesn't seem right. I too would recommend talking to your mechanic. Does everything look like its been put back together right ? Check to make the airbox tubes are correct and look at the vacuum lines.

[pancho]

Yeah, with a reference point like that , you know you have lost some power.  I agree that you need to find out exactly what all he did.

[cashman]

Ok, I talked to the mechanic.  He said he did adjust the idle, but nothing else.  He said he thought it ran great too.  He did say that it was the dirtiest air filter he ever saw (which is why I took it in!) and that it may have ben running rich due to that.  But other than that, he couldn't think of what it could be.  Again, he said he felt it ran great.

Any sense to that logic?

[The emperor has no clothes]

Ok, I talked to the mechanic.  He said he did adjust the idle, but nothing else.  He said he thought it ran great too.  He did say that it was the dirtiest air filter he ever saw (which is why I took it in!) and that it may have ben running rich due to that.  But other than that, he couldn't think of what it could be.  Again, he said he felt it ran great.

Any sense to that logic?

I don`t know, but reconsidering changing my air filter now

[cashman]

Well, I took it to the dealer as I have never taken the tank off before and when I looked at the nuts, it appeared that no one else had either.  The mechanic agreed that he believed that it may have never been changed.  It was really caked up.

 My hope is to get together with many of you all when there is a wrench party close enough that I can gain some of the tremendous knowledge from members here.  We have found 4 valk owners in my town and 3 more that want valks.  I want to create a support structure here in Elkhart county (Indiana) and foster the Valkyrie way of life!  Just wanting to learn to fish so I can teach the next generation!

[PhredValk]

What plugs did he put in? Same as tho originals?
Fred.

[cashman]

Ok, he replaced them with original NGK plugs gapped to .32.  I did take off the three plugs that are accessible without taking the pods off.  They look very lean to me, but I would like your feedback.

[whitestroke]

Make sure air filter boots are all on, you'll need a flashlight and mirror to see back side of boots.  It was mentioned earlier in post.

[salty1]

Make sure air filter boots are all on, you'll need a flashlight and mirror to see back side of boots.  It was mentioned earlier in post.

+1  The plugs do look like it might be running on the lean side.

[Ricky-D]

It doesn't look like it is running lean to me.

Actually looks a little rich running.

Source:  http://www.dragstuff.com/techarticles/how-to-read-plugs.html

***

[Patrick]

It kinda bothers whenever a 'mechanic' installs a set of sparklers in aluminum heads with no never-seize.

[cashman]

Thanks for the plug article. 

I will need to get it up to full power then turn it off quickly to get an accurate reading.  Correct?

[Ricky-D]

No, that's not the way to do that check.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Cruise at a steady highway speed for several minutes.

Simultaneously let the gas snap off, and pull the clutch in.

At the quickest, then turn off the motor.

When you have stopped, inspect the spark plugs.

This will give the most accurate reading.
-------------------------------------------------------------

***

[cashman]

ok, I will try that this weekend!

Thanks for all the help.  If you think of anything else, please let me know!

[Mr Whiskey]

No, that's not the way to do that check.

--------------------------------------------------------------
Cruise at a steady highway speed for several minutes.

Simultaneously let the gas snap off, and pull the clutch in.

At the quickest, then turn off the motor.

When you have stopped, inspect the spark plugs.

This will give the most accurate reading.
-------------------------------------------------------------

***

Wrong! It's called "plug chops" for a reason. Do not let off the throttle, this gives you a false reading as it changes the mixture, at the plugs, when you need it to be the most accurate.
Hit the kill switch & grab the clutch. This will give you a "real" look at the plugs at that rpm.
Been doin' plug chops on 754's a long time, trust me!
Peace, Whiskey.

[cashman]

ok, so at full power hit the kill switch and grab the clutch then stop the bike and pull the plugs.  Right?

[Bigun]

If you can before the test runn her almost dry then find a gas station that has non ethanol gas, the ethanol can mess up the plug readings. You want the electrodes to look the same color as a paper sack.

[cashman]

ok.  clean gas. 80 mph, cut power while accelerating.  pulled clutch and coasted to a stop.  pulled plugs.  and here is what I got...

let me know what you think.......

[Ricky-D]

Looks fine to me - no problem with mixture.

***

[Six-Cylinder Hooligan]

It kinda bothers whenever a 'mechanic' installs a set of sparklers in aluminum heads with no never-seize.

+1  ???

[salty1]

+1  those plugs look just fine IMO.

[salty1]

+1  those plugs look just fine IMO.

Did that mechanic share with you the old air filter? What does the ticket say as to the replacement air filter? Something is not right as Patrick said earlier in this thread.