De smog question

[HotRod]

 OK, I did a desmog the other day with a friend of mine  and now it seems like i have little back pressure. When I decelerate it just doesnt seem the same,I know it shouldn't be exactly the same but it just seems like its missing. Any Ideas ? Air leaks etc ?

[stude31]

Make sure intake runners are tight and the muffler flanges are tight.. your exhaust gaskets may not be pinched enough....   keep us posted.

[HotRod]

Make sure intake runners are tight and the muffler flanges are tight.. your exhaust gaskets may not be pinched enough....   keep us posted.

OK,ill recheck everything,it just sounds funny on deceleration,and not starting first shot like it used to,but ill recheck.

[ricoman]

Can't see what the intake runners or exhaust gaskets would have to do with a desmog as they are not touched in that process.
I would look at all the plugs-used to replace the hoses.

[HotRod]

Can't see what the intake runners or exhaust gaskets would have to do with a desmog as they are not touched in that process.
I would look at all the plugs-used to replace the hoses.

That's kinda where I'm leaning,we used plastic chrome plated bolt head covers upside down and hit them in,I'm thinking they could of cracked or just not straight. I might fill them with silver silicone or put the original caps back on,cut the tubing close to the cap and jb weld the tube end.

[stude31]

Can't see what the intake runners or exhaust gaskets would have to do with a desmog as they are not touched in that process.
I would look at all the plugs-used to replace the hoses.

I remove the exhaust when doing the desmog to remove the chrome pipes that come up between the valve cover and the back side of the timing belt cover... here is a pic..    I use a dremel tool and cut off the pipe down to the end and (like mentioned above), fill the end w/ jb weld and then your good to go.  Note:  It was a  good thing that I took the exhaust off my 98 tourer.  There were two sets of exhaust gaskets on one side....   If you look real close you will see a total of 9 exhaust rings.  I have done two desmogs this month and all came out running good... Not sure what way you did the desmog but I would suggest this one:  http://www.valkyrieriders.com/shoptalk/smog.htm

Hope this helps...

[SS Twin]

Just picked up (and love) my 97 Valk.  Runs strong, no issues 32-34 mpg at "reasonable" hiway speeds (70 + or - mph).  Starts first try with no choke at temps above 65 or so.  25 K miles, piggies cut, stock otherwise.

Why would or should I do a desmog?  I know that it's primary (exclusive?) purpose is to capture unburned and unused gasoline vapors to meet EPA regs.  No issues, nothing broke.....I say leave it alone.   What do the "experts" (seriously) out there say?

Thanks for any and all guidance.

Did I say I love my Valk?

[Ricky-D]

Doing a de-smog is a personal issue.

But that gas mileage stinks.

My Interstate just turned in a 41 mpg ride to the beach and back home (300 miles)

***

[Chrisj CMA]

Just picked up (and love) my 97 Valk.  Runs strong, no issues 32-34 mpg at "reasonable" hiway speeds (70 + or - mph).  Starts first try with no choke at temps above 65 or so.  25 K miles, piggies cut, stock otherwise.

Why would or should I do a desmog?  I know that it's primary (exclusive?) purpose is to capture unburned and unused gasoline vapors to meet EPA regs.  No issues, nothing broke.....I say leave it alone.   What do the "experts" (seriously) out there say?

Thanks for any and all guidance.

Did I say I love my Valk?

32-34 mph @ 70 is better than most Valks do......no problem with gas mileage like that!

[MP]

SS Twin:

That kind of mileage at 70+ for a 97, I have a 97, is all right.  I have gotten as low as 22, and as high as 42 mpg.

Normal riding will be right where you are at.  Now, if you want to run 55-60, then 40 is possible.  No fun!  IS's seem to do a little better, IMHO. 97's seem to be the worse.

MP

[SS Twin]

Thanks all for the replies and your experiences.  Should add that on the 800 mile trip home, I was running a National Cycle full 2 up shield in a pretty upright position.  That probably didn't help MPG matters much. 

Also found out about reserve after a nice 85+ mph sprint with a well ridden GL1800 on I75 in TN.  Great road, great rider, but I did "expand" my carbon footprint a bit on that stint!

Back to desmog.....any reason to do it if all else is good? ???

[MP]

If all is good, no.

What it does is eliminate potential vac leaks.  It does NOT increase performance.

MP

[HotRod]

Thanks all for the replies and your experiences.  Should add that on the 800 mile trip home, I was running a National Cycle full 2 up shield in a pretty upright position.  That probably didn't help MPG matters much. 

Also found out about reserve after a nice 85+ mph sprint with a well ridden GL1800 on I75 in TN.  Great road, great rider, but I did "expand" my carbon footprint a bit on that stint!

Back to desmog.....any reason to do it if all else is good? ???

I did it to eliminate excess hoses and potential vac leaks,that's all no more no less. I was getting some vapor odors and thought that might take care of it,not much change.

[hubcapsc]

You da man... yours looks like you bought it from Kuryakyn, mine looks like I made it in the back
yard with a dull hack saw...



I also used the OEM upper plugs and filled them with epoxy... I put a little bend on the hold-downs
to make sure they were mashed in there tight... I don't really like the look, but they've worked well...

-Mike

[stude31]

Mike -

That was a picture that was taken in shoptalk.  I just used my dremel tool and cut the pipe down to where it slides into the piece that mounts on the head.  I then blocked off the side going to the head w/ a rod and then filled the other side w/ JB weld and let it set up and then bolted it back on.  I never made a "cap" from a piece of sheeting.. I just customized what was used originally. 

[Tundra]

It won't eliminate vaccuum leaks, but makes them easier to chase down. (less to look for) You will still have your #6/petcock line. You can still get leaks from the airbox improperly installed. You can have loose broken header bolts, you can have loose upper/lower boots from airbox to intake tubes. Intake runner O-rings can leak also. Ask me how I know? I de-smogged to "fix" my vaccuum problems, then did all of the above anyway still chasing down leaks. All good now, If I had it to do again, it was a huge waste of time. I had no noticable change, other than the box of junk I removed.
  I would remove those plastic plugs and install  metal freeze plugs. Plastic won't take the heat and will probably be cracked or damaged upon install.

[HotRod]

It won't eliminate vaccuum leaks, but makes them easier to chase down. (less to look for) You will still have your #6/petcock line. You can still get leaks from the airbox improperly installed. You can have loose broken header bolts, you can have loose upper/lower boots from airbox to intake tubes. Intake runner O-rings can leak also. Ask me how I know? I de-smogged to "fix" my vaccuum problems, then did all of the above anyway still chasing down leaks. All good now, If I had it to do again, it was a huge waste of time. I had no noticable change, other than the box of junk I removed.
  I would remove those plastic plugs and install  metal freeze plugs. Plastic won't take the heat and will probably be cracked or damaged upon install.

I totally agree!