Re: Torque Ranges, Compression test and other details Log, 24th July, 2013

Damn, that is terrible, and coming to think of it, isn't it supposed to be semi forged pistons ? Damn..!! I just hope the chap gets a free replacement form the concerned people.


Cheers
Ride Safe
Krishna

Re: The POWERHOUSE Fz18

This surely is a sore sight. Looks like the engine generated lot of heat and resulted in this. Many other parts would have been damaged.

Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Hi All,

seizing the opportunity mother nature provided me today, i quickly made a dash towards my bike in order to do a much needed casual spin on my FZ - X and also at the same time try out the GoPro set up i loaned from senior rider abhimanyu31. But i guess the guy on top had other plans. I just managed to go for a short ride one way, before i could turn around and give a go the second time, it started raining like mad, ruining my plans of making any further attempts to shoot another video. Meh!

Regardless, as mentioned earlier i am completely against street racing and would request all riders following this thread to adhere to the speed limits, always wear proper riding gear and ride sanely. The video link below is just to show you the effects of using a 15T GB sprocket mod compared to the 14T GB stock sprocket. Note the RPM VS Speed displayed on my bike.:

Yamaha FZ - X Casual Run - YouTube

The tuning is still not precise and the FE has significantly gone down to 31 kmpl with the current set of jetting and AFR tuning. I have had my fill with Yoshimura exhaust so now will revert to stock exhaust and conduct further experiments.@ Mik: I love Yoshi man!! it is one of the most beautiful exhaust i have ever come across . My ride has crossed the magic 30k mark with the Odometer now reading: 30, 230 kms.



@jonahmano: This may be of some interest to you. In the next upcoming test i shall:

* Revert to stock exhaust
* Continue using the programmable CDI
* Continue using the 15T
* The carb will most likely run on: 122.5 main jet, 17.5 pilot jet, needle jet stock Pulsar 180

The objective of the test is to see whether using 122.5 mainjet compared to the earlier 120 mainjet makes the rideability and the top better and also if there is a major difference in performance, FE and other factors. Also if we are actually gaining anything by using such high performance FFEs or rather it is better to stick to stock exhaust to get the best of the both worlds without polluting mother nature or getting fined by the local administration. Later part i shall also try out the single mapped aftermarket CDI from Motozone and try and give out my verdict on the same. They have already given me a good news which has got my mind tingling. I will have the opportunity to try out their version of ported head along with the first prototype street version Mild Lift Camshaft which is at the final stages of development. So let's see whether compared to "Tailor Saab", this one gives a better performance without hammering the life out of the valve train system and also doesnot irritate the rider with the stitching noise!


Thanks to rider abhimanyu31, i have come across this tuning spark plug called Gunson Colortune. Makes tuning a much easier job compared to the traditional plug chop tests. Unfortunately, this is not available in India. Here is are video links below explaining how this product works:

The Famous Gunson Colortune for Motorcycles - YouTube

and

Tuning MGB with Gunson colortune from Accuspark - YouTube

I am trying to source it out from abroad.


Sir,

well it seems the rider has decided to finally come out in the open to give out his experience first hand, so i need not elaborate much on this. I would personally request each and every rider to maintain a decorum on this thread and avoid getting personal on things which may lead to unwanted mud slinging, something we should all collectively avoid on this thread.

Mate just a correction, the guy who came to the workshop was not using any lubrication at all, instead he just cleaned the chain using petrol or kerosene. If i remember correctly there was no mention of WD 40. regardless your inputs makes sense to me.

I am not sure mate. Just a quick question: is your ride souped up or normal stock. Which bike are you using? If you can elaborate further may be other senior riders can chime in and help you troubleshoot the problem better?

Thanks for the tips mate. The problem is actually with my phone cam's lens, it has grown old man!!

Mate your previous write ups indicating doubts about the term semi-forged piston always kept me intrigued as i personally couldn't find any such term on the internet. Turns out this is just a normal casted piston and that too with the valve recesses marked on the wrong side!!

There is no such thing as semi forged piston if i have come to understand correctly. I seriously doubt that the rider will ever think of even asking for a replacement in this case. The damage to his wallet and mental peace has taken a severe hit so i rather let him talk about his experience first hand out in the public whenever he feels comfortable. This is just one of the documented stories.. there are many others in India who don't have any association with xbhp nor world wide web and have felt cheated or have simply sold off the bike due to horrible after sales service or worse engine seizures...

Possibly mate.. From what i understand like PSR Ji has mentioned, the rider has a list of:

* Damaged valve train system
* Crank shaft being completely bent
* Conrod and conrod bearings being severely damaged
* Metal parts have made their way into the engine bay, so once he splits the engine case into two only then he would come to know about the extent of the damage
* Most likely will have to flush out metal parts which may have got stuck in the gear box, oil pump etc.

So unlike popular marketing term employed by the seller, hot roding is not a simple "Plug and Play" process especially with such sub standard unchecked kits being sold to an unsuspecting user. One has to ensure that a lot of steps are taken correctly so that an oversized piston works precisely and is in sync with the rest of the parts. Also the carb tune has to be perfect! I am still learning as i continue diving deeper everytime . Like rider @Mad Mik has mentioned many times: one has to ensure that precise calculations are carried out, mock builds and all necessary tests are conducted beforehand to avoid such a catastrophic seizure. Do the build once and do it right!

Cheers,

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Shv18 ...another nice write up.....hope the owner of the shattered piston is able to give a report like yours....
The Gunson Colortune plug actually lets you see the ignition flame inside the chamber as it happens..though this will help in understanding the state of tune, I still feel a CO monitoring of Exhaust gas is much more meaningful in setting up the AFR....Do let us know of the outcome of the Gunson when you get and use it.

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Hai
My ride is FZ-S 2010. ODO - 28005 kms, Normal stock, 15T sprocket, PSD 130/80-17". I have a doubt whether there is a problem in the carburettor. Please advise whether I have to clean the carburettor. Please advise if any other details are required. Kindly help me

Cheers

Mathews

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

I have personally not tried the PSD 130/80-17 profile tire though if i were to guess... you are getting power on all 4 gears except on 5th am i correct? The 5th gear is just an overdrive gear on the stock FZ and 15T makes the gearing even taller. So if you want more acceleration, you will have to gather all that in the first 4 gears and then the 5th gear is just to retain that top speed. Next time, try this: Shift all gears @7,500 rpm and then finally shift to 5th gear and see if you are getting better acceleration and higher top end. In comparison to stock bike, mine still accelerates ahead all the way till red line.

Cheers,

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Nope, it was WD40. As I mentioned earlier, upon questioning further by Rakesh and me, the gentleman, showed us a small pocket size can of WD40 and told us that he has been cleaning and lubricating the chain with the same as some mechanic at some other Yamaha SVC has advised him to do so. You can confirm the same with Rakesh again.

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

You are spot on the problem. The things which you have suggested is followed by me (i.e) accelerating till 7500 rpm in 4th and then shifting the gear to 5th. But my doubt is after I have shifted to the 5th gear obviously the rpm will drop. It drops to about 5000 rpm and continues till 6000 rpm but with a struggle. But after 6000 rpm the bike is not rising upto 7500 rpm even in slopes maybe 6500 rpm but that's it. why is it so and why I am not able to accelerate till the red line. Please advise.

Cheers

Mathews

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Hi All,

Just i was setting up the GoPro camera for a night shoot, it started pouring again forcing me to keep high speed runs at bay and also with light traffic on the road i decided it was not wise to go crazy on the streets.

The video below is just for reference and testing purpose only. Please riders, donot opt for street racing on public roads and always wear proper safety gear. AGATT is a must!



Even with the tuning still not precise i was able to achieve the above speeds without any major efforts with the throttle input and was sitting in an upright position. I am sure stock FZ riders will witness the difference in the way my FZ - X gathers speed compared to the stock set up. With a lighter rider and ideal conditions, she can go way faster than this. Mind you this is with the stock camshaft and not with the tailor saab RC camshaft.

I am now eager to see whether we are able to witness the same speeds easily with the stock exhaust set up as well.

As i have mentioned earlier on stock bike you will be able to gather speed only till 4th gear and then the 5th gear will act just like an overdrive gear. Though i am not sure why you are not able to cross 6k rpm. My guess is stock bike's limitation with power might be hampering the overall performance? If you see the video link above, my ride is very easily able to cross that bar... I suggest interacting with rider Deville_56 should help.


Cheers,

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

hello [MENTION=32641]shv18[/MENTION].. a query.. help would be highly appreciated.. i had this earlier posted in the ownership thread, but could get much help there..
i'll talk about today.. did a highway ride of around 25 odd kms.. the speeds were on the higher side.. but whenever i used to power down and then again throttle up, at that moment there would be power loss and the bike couldn't accelerate for a few seconds.. in there few seconds, the bike would feel like gasping..
like i rode at 95km/h and then had to slow to 80km/h and when i rev again.. the bike won't accelerate for a few second and the speeds would go down and the back up again.. don't know what might be the reason for this.. this happens everytime in go to higher speeds..
the air filter was cleaned about 900kms ago.. oil was changed at the same time..

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

I am no expert in this regard but will try and give my perspective:

* How old is your ride? If it has crossed over 20k kms, it would be a good idea to check out the health of the Carburettor valve slide. Mine if you may recollect in the ownership thread posts was giving me trouble with hiccup issues, till we opened up the carb and found that the carb valve slide had worn out and as a result it was often getting stuck.

* Has your carburettor ever been cleaned up properly? Check the colour of the spark plug. See what are the readings.. it will give you an idea regarding the state of the tune of your carb. If the bike is not getting enough fuel then such hiccups may occur.

* Thirdly, if you are slowing down to 80/75 kmph in order to accelerate faster on stock bike, down shift to 4th gear, build up the revs close to 7500-8500 rpm and then shift to 5th gear to maintain the speed at constant 95 kmph. 5th gear is more or less an over drive gear so don't expect the revs and the speed to build up quickly on the overdrive gear.

The problem with stock sprocketing is that you will have to constantly keep her on the higher revs to achieve better speeds and the mid ship muffler is very restrictive in nature hence post 85 kmph it feels like the bike is losing its steam. Remember to modulate the throttle and not keep her stuck close to redline all the time, you will tire your ride and the internals. If you do a lot of highway rides, might i suggest shifting to a good quality FS oil like 7100/300V.. Helps keeping the engine temps under check and also they are more resilient to high operating temperatures.. i am one such crazy rider and believe me, my ride before it was souped up, performed better with FS oil then it did with Mineral oil.


Cheers,

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Expert or not.. You always give a fairly good advice..
my ride is just 400 shy of 20k kms.. Will check the carb. and the spark plug for their conditions.. Well, the carb has never been opened.. The svc guys never do so.. Will contact a local mech and get the deed done..
Ya i read the posts.. Preety much the problem as this one..
i rarely do red-lines.. The roads here don't allow doing so.. I think my ride is running lean, that is why it gasps only at high speeds when it requires more fuel.. Will check the spark plug tomorrow..
i switched to SS only last service.. Will use FS from next time.. And yes, the amount of oghway rides have been increased from the last couple of months.. Will switch to FS..
anyways.. Thanks for the advice..

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

Thank you for your kind words but i still on learning mode.. If what i have pointed out works for you then i am really happy for you and your ride mate.

There is another possibility that your ride might be running too rich if you are based at higher altitude. CV carb, if i have understood correctly will start losing the stock tune post 4000-4500 ft. So it would be a good idea to get the tuning checked. If you are at lower altitude then the lean tuning is most likely the culprit. All the symptoms indicate towards carburettor's health/ tuning so checking out that first would be good base to start with. I presume you will also be scheduled for replacing the spark plug.

Cheers,

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

the learning mode for any biker is a never ending journey.. Every ride brings new experiences and knowledge..

i live in jaipur these days, so its fairly low.. The lean tuning seems to be the main culprit..
will get the carb checked in the coming days for any damaged valves..
as for the spark plug, it was changed at 12k kms.. Still, will check it tomorrow to see the condition and do as needful..

Re: Yamaha FZ - X Video Test & responses 25th July, 2013

From your account of the problem, the carburetor slide seems to need higher vacuum to lift to accelerate... I guess the slide needs to be cleaned of deposits on it.....and check for small hole in the slide rubber skirt, which would leak vacuum...