A few MPG tips FYI Updated

[98valk]

Some things I have done which have resulted in positive MPG results over the last few years.
Presently I'm getting btwn 48-52 mpg avg depending on speed. Heads and cams with viking exhaust made biggest difference.

1. I/S slide springs for a std/tourer
2. I/S ICM
3. Dyna ignition with 6 degree TW using the 10 degree advance feature for hwy speeds.
4. TC-W3 two stroke oil as a fuel additive. consistent 2 mpg increase. keeps entire intake track clean, keeps piston ring pack clean, and most important keeps the needle and needle well lubricated to reduce wear. needle wells are not replaceable of these carburetors. read here for details and correct ratio to use. https://www.ls1.com/forums/f48/been-testing-oil-91206/
5. rear car tire in 205/65-16r size. lowers rpms by 200.
6. Replace the R2 emission camshafts which are an EGR type camshaft that reduces HP and mpg. Install the R1 camshafts which will increase mpg and HP. Webcams camshafts will provide a little more HP, they have the max lift that can be safely used.
7. to take full advantage of the better camshafts, port/polish heads and have them flow benched. the exhaust ports are highly restrictive esp that they a little scoop into the exhaust port to provide exhaust flow into the Pair valves. will require re-jetting the carbs, my engine required smaller main jets and adjustable needles. I use FactoryPro needles.
8. OEM exhaust headers ID is too small for better HP and mpg at hwy/cruise speeds.

Update I;
9. "but the only thing that mattered (statistically) in my study was vehicle Weight. I’m not saying this was the definitive analysis on the matter …far from it. But, it proved to me that basic physics always prevail. Doing a certain amount of vehicular work requires a certain amount of fuel energy no matter what. If the vehicle is operating as engineered,"
https://www.randakksblog.com/fuel-mileage-issues/

  '98 valkyrie rear brake rotor  4 lbs 4 oz
  '03 valkyrie rear brake rotor  6 lbs, yes it weighs that much more for some reason
   New Goldwing GL1500 rear brake rotor  3 lbs  I have installed now. plus reduced unsprung weight*.
  '98 Valkyrie front rotors  6.5 lbs for both
  '14 VFR 800 front rotors  5.25 lbs for both  I have installed now.  plus reduced unsprung weight*.
*many engineers indicate reducing unsprung weight is like double the weight reduction when calculating for acceleration (better mpg), braking and suspension control.

  AGM batteries  9 lbs avg
  LiFePo4 Battery  3 lbs.  I use now.

  complete removal of Pair Valves with all tubing  3 lbs
  after market plastic mirrors save one pound over OEM metal mirrors.  some aftermarket are more  aerodynamic than OEM. so very small mpg increase.

  OEM exhaust system is 39 lbs.
  OEM exhaust glass pack system I made is 50 lbs
  Viking exhaust system which I now use is 30 lbs.
  Rivco center stand is 10 lbs

[Highwaymen]

WOW! I thought keeping my tires inflated to the tires specs was enough. 

[turtle254]

What curve # on dyna chart is your 10 deg adv?
Mine is D3K1-1

[98valk]

What curve # on dyna chart is your 10 deg adv?
Mine is D3K1-1

I have Rev D. I have a copy of D3K1-1 also, curves are the same.

I use curve 7 with OEM TW modified for 6 degrees, with the 10 degrees switch is turned on adds about 32 total advance degrees at 3k rpms, and 35.5 total advance degrees at 4k rpms.
when 10 degrees is turned of, total will be 25.5 degrees for max HP to red line.

the engine could use about 45 degrees on the hwy for max mpg like the GL1500 GW has with its vacuum advance ICM.
Honda provided low cost poorly designed ICM for the valkyrie.

[turtle254]

What switch, I only have up to 10 deg retard with the ground wire hooked up?

[98valk]

What switch, I only have up to 10 deg retard with the ground wire hooked up?

if u put a switch in the ground wire and program it for 10 degrees then u can turn off the retard by ungrounding the wire.

so curve 7 plus the 6 degree TW provides max advance, which is too much below 2k rpm and when accelerating, so hit the switch and now 10 degrees less which takes out the 6 TW plus another 4 degrees, hence 15 degrees at 2k and 22 degrees at 3k rpms. it is then basically curve 8, 25.5 max advance to redline. there was a member Hondatek yrs ago who did dyno work and stated max power was seen at max advance of 25 degrees.
Both the std and I/S oem ICMs have max 30 degrees advance at redline, reducing power, aka protecting the engine and the honda warranty.

[turtle254]

Are you sure that works on the fly?
Instru. indicate to turn off and back on power.

[turtle254]

Reread the instr. and your right; design to be used on the fly.
I have been running #7; think I will use 4 deg retard and see
how that feels on the top end.
Thanks

[98valk]

Are you sure that works on the fly?
Instru. indicate to turn off and back on power.

yes on the fly it works.   the on/off power is to program other than 10 degrees.

I turn it on and off all of the time. esp during startup, really helps when its cold.

[Valkorado]

WOW! I thought keeping my tires inflated to the tires specs was enough. 

 

And ChemTool.  Don't forget the Chem-Tool!

[Bagger John - #3785]

Two questions:

1) Does Dyna still make the 3000?
2) There were some reliability issues with that unit. Did they get resolved?

[98valk]

Two questions:

1) Does Dyna still make the 3000?
2) There were some reliability issues with that unit. Did they get resolved?

dyna stopped making it yrs ago and completely stopped all support when new owners took over the company.

as far as I know they did fix the issues.

If somebody was good with electronics, the GW 1500 ICM could be made to work. it has vacuum advance for better mpg and provides part throttle advance around 40+ degrees with modified TWs.

https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/gl1500-ecm-ignition-timing.320266/

Now latest report is C5 will soon have units avail for goldwings again
http://www.c5performs.com/ecu-ecm-products.html

[98valk]

something I haven't done but will be looking into.

ceramic wheel bearings.

Quicker elapsed times and higher MPH’s
Ceramic bearings offer 40% less friction than steel
Less friction = more horsepower
60% less rotating weight
Low tension, maintenance free dust seals
Mobil® Polyrex® light weight aerospace grease
Bearing life 3 to 5 times longer than steel
Lower vibration levels
Cooler running
https://brocksperformance.com/ceramic-wheel-bearing-cb-6005/

The allure of going faster with less energy is appealing to almost anyone and the latest innovation to make bikes go faster is ceramic wheel bearings. Since the speed of a motorcycle is most determined by the performance of its rotating parts, investing in ceramic wheel bearings by Worldwide Bearings is a logical choice for the serious rider.
https://store.schnitzracing.com/wheels-bearings/ceramic-wheel-bearings

Motorcycle Wheel Bearings

The Boca Bearing Company is proud to announce the new Lightning Bearing Technology (LBT) line of ceramic motorcycle wheel bearings. Ceramic by its nature is lighter than steel by about 2/3 the weight; it is harder than steel when it is in ball form and it is virtually frictionless because it is non-porous. A ceramic hybrid bearing has steel races with ceramic balls and a full ceramic bearing has ceramic races and balls. Full ceramic and ceramic hybrid wheel bearings are particularly well suited to both competitive and recreational motorcycle applications.
https://www.bocabearings.com/products/bearing-applications/motorcycle-wheel-bearings?ProductType=2

[Valkorado]

something I haven't done but will be looking into.

ceramic wheel bearings.

Quicker elapsed times and higher MPH’s
Ceramic bearings offer 40% less friction than steel
Less friction = more horsepower
60% less rotating weight
Low tension, maintenance free dust seals
Mobil® Polyrex® light weight aerospace grease
Bearing life 3 to 5 times longer than steel
Lower vibration levels
Cooler running
https://brocksperformance.com/ceramic-wheel-bearing-cb-6005/

The allure of going faster with less energy is appealing to almost anyone and the latest innovation to make bikes go faster is ceramic wheel bearings. Since the speed of a motorcycle is most determined by the performance of its rotating parts, investing in ceramic wheel bearings by Worldwide Bearings is a logical choice for the serious rider.
https://store.schnitzracing.com/wheels-bearings/ceramic-wheel-bearings

Motorcycle Wheel Bearings

The Boca Bearing Company is proud to announce the new Lightning Bearing Technology (LBT) line of ceramic motorcycle wheel bearings. Ceramic by its nature is lighter than steel by about 2/3 the weight; it is harder than steel when it is in ball form and it is virtually frictionless because it is non-porous. A ceramic hybrid bearing has steel races with ceramic balls and a full ceramic bearing has ceramic races and balls. Full ceramic and ceramic hybrid wheel bearings are particularly well suited to both competitive and recreational motorcycle applications.
https://www.bocabearings.com/products/bearing-applications/motorcycle-wheel-bearings?ProductType=2

The technology sure looks interesting, but the price is kinda a deal breaker.  If they really last 4x as long maybe worth it?

https://www.bocabearings.com/search?w=Valkyrie

[Knapdog]

What curve # on dyna chart is your 10 deg adv?
Mine is D3K1-1

I have Rev D. I have a copy of D3K1-1 also, curves are the same.

I use curve 7 with OEM TW modified for 6 degrees, with the 10 degrees switch is turned on adds about 32 total advance degrees at 3k rpms, and 35.5 total advance degrees at 4k rpms.
when 10 degrees is turned of, total will be 25.5 degrees for max HP to red line.

the engine could use about 45 degrees on the hwy for max mpg like the GL1500 GW has with its vacuum advance ICM.
Honda provided low cost poorly designed ICM for the valkyrie.

No offence to highly respected forum member "98valk" but I don't understand a word of this   and won't be losing any sleep over it either.
Things must have moved on since I was a lad  

[98valk]

The technology sure looks interesting, but the price is kinda a deal breaker.  If they really last 4x as long maybe worth it?

https://www.bocabearings.com/search?w=Valkyrie

wow. I've seen for other motorcycles $60-70.  put the word Valkyrie in there and triple the price.

[PSUbag]

That sounds like an awful lot of money and work to save 8 cents at every fuel stop.   

[98valk]

That sounds like an awful lot of money and work to save 8 cents at every fuel stop.   

numbers 1 and 4 are low cost.  No. 4 is the best thing to do, a clean engine is a healthy engine.

[98valk]

What curve # on dyna chart is your 10 deg adv?
Mine is D3K1-1

I have Rev D. I have a copy of D3K1-1 also, curves are the same.

I use curve 7 with OEM TW modified for 6 degrees, with the 10 degrees switch is turned on adds about 32 total advance degrees at 3k rpms, and 35.5 total advance degrees at 4k rpms.
when 10 degrees is turned of, total will be 25.5 degrees for max HP to red line.

the engine could use about 45 degrees on the hwy for max mpg like the GL1500 GW has with its vacuum advance ICM.
Honda provided low cost poorly designed ICM for the valkyrie.

No offence to highly respected forum member "98valk" but I don't understand a word of this   and won't be losing any sleep over it either.
Things must have moved on since I was a lad  

the Dyna ignition has multi ignition curves that can be used.
all IC engines need ignition advance, and more at part throttle hwy speeds to get max mpg.

[Knapdog]

What curve # on dyna chart is your 10 deg adv?
Mine is D3K1-1

I have Rev D. I have a copy of D3K1-1 also, curves are the same.

I use curve 7 with OEM TW modified for 6 degrees, with the 10 degrees switch is turned on adds about 32 total advance degrees at 3k rpms, and 35.5 total advance degrees at 4k rpms.
when 10 degrees is turned of, total will be 25.5 degrees for max HP to red line.

the engine could use about 45 degrees on the hwy for max mpg like the GL1500 GW has with its vacuum advance ICM.
Honda provided low cost poorly designed ICM for the valkyrie.

No offence to highly respected forum member "98valk" but I don't understand a word of this   and won't be losing any sleep over it either.
Things must have moved on since I was a lad  

the Dyna ignition has multi ignition curves that can be used.
all IC engines need ignition advance, and more at part throttle hwy speeds to get max mpg.

Thank you kindly sir.
Hats off to those good folk who strive to get the very best out of their Valks.
I've done it myself, to a lesser extent, with my C90's and I'm currently recommisioning a 1957 AJS 18S  for a friend.
I'm not too worried about having to tweak the adjuscillator pipes,  nipple joints and winkie valves on the Valkyrie to get the extra mpg. Standard is fine by me.
I've just done enough to get rid of all its cholesterol,  given it a few transplants and I'm riding it stress free.
Great forum.
Love the bike.

[Gondul]

One more...

Funny.. I thought this was the Tech Board

[rug_burn]

I like the idea of the 2 stroke oil-  what ratio is appropriate here?   maybe 1% (100 to 1)?
And the exhaust i'll do maybe when mine need replacing. 
 
But what would really be good would be to get one of those Dyna ignition modules.  Just so it's easier to search for them, now out of production,  what is the module model number for a 1997 Valk, or any 1520cc F6 for that matter?

Anybody know how different the 1800 cc unit (currently available) is, could it be used?.

[98valk]

I like the idea of the 2 stroke oil-  what ratio is appropriate here?   maybe 1% (100 to 1)?
And the exhaust i'll do maybe when mine need replacing. 
 
But what would really be good would be to get one of those Dyna ignition modules.  Just so it's easier to search for them, now out of production,  what is the module model number for a 1997 Valk, or any 1520cc F6 for that matter?

Anybody know how different the 1800 cc unit (currently available) is, could it be used?.

read here for details and correct ratio to use. https://www.ls1.com/forums/f48/been-testing-oil-91206/

in my post I have some info about the GW 1500 ICM.

waiting for the C5 ignition which will be multi-spark

1800 ICM would have to deal with the O2 sensor programs and the FI system. 1500 ICM would be easier to convert.

[JimF2424]

I started adding 1oz. to 5 gallon and noticed the difference in running smoother and it did add aprox 2-3 mpg more.   Thanks for all the good information.   

[sidecarwilliam]

I felt lucky to get 16MPG coming back from Colorado as only got 13 MPG going there. (Uphill maybe?)
My best mileage has never been better than 19MPG although I like to pretend that I got 20.  My worst was 9MPG. (Having fun WFO.)
Maybe it has to do with the Daytona 2+2 sidecar and possibly the Leesurelite trailer.
I play I pay.
And its California gas. Worst gas, highest price.
Just sayin'.

[98valk]

I started adding 1oz. to 5 gallon and noticed the difference in running smoother and it did add aprox 2-3 mpg more.   Thanks for all the good information.   

awesome 
welcome