Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs?

chandlerbingfl · 10-23-2013, 10:51 PM

I've got a 2009 and I do regular oil changes, sporadic general maintenance, keep track of mileage...but was wondering if the effects of running rich or lean are obvious?

Are there specific things to look for? Listen for?

Wondering,
chandlerbingfl

Rookie Rider · 10-24-2013, 12:08 AM

I would think running rich would give you less gas mileage, and possibly a stronger smell of fuel.

**jonathan180iq** · 10-24-2013, 08:40 AM

If your bike is lean, then blipping the throttle will result in a hanging idle before settling back down to normal.

If you like is rich, then blipping the throttle will cause the idle to fall too quickly, dropping down below normal before working it's way back up.

That's the poor man's method.

Long-term running on a lean condition can cause your valves to overheat and warp, or even melt, thus loosing the ability to seal the combustion chamber and you lose compression, power, and eventually the bike won't run. Long-term running in a rich condition will cause excess carbon build up in the chamber and the vavles. (Think soot in a fireplace.) If it's bad enough, this carbon can also keep the valves from seating.

It's better to be slightly rich than slightly lean, although being lean will give you better gas mileage.

And one last thing: You can pull the spark plug and get an immediate state of affairs by looking at it. A black plug is too rich. A white plug is too lean. A golden brown biscuit color is just right.

TOO RICH

TOO LEAN

JUST RIGHT

steelpix · 11-02-2013, 09:32 AM

What is the best way to adjust your mixture between rich & lean?

blaine · 11-02-2013, 11:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by steelpix

What is the best way to adjust your mixture between rich & lean?

With the bike idling warm,turn mixture screw out (rich) to were the idle starts to "roll" than slowly in (lean) till the idle starts to "slow" than slowly out to were the idle is smoothest & fastest.

JohnC · 11-04-2013, 12:03 PM

The idle mixture is all you can adjust without replacing parts, and it should be sealed.

Unless you have reason to believe things are not "just right" I wouldn't give it a second thought. If your mileage and performance are within expectations, things are probably fine.

chandlerbingfl · 11-10-2013, 08:52 PM

Thanks for all the responses! I don't think I have any issues with rich/lean, just wondering....

chandlerbingfl

Water Warrior 2 · 11-11-2013, 01:34 AM

I agree with JohnC. If it runs good and performs well leave it alone.

10-23-2013, 10:51 PM	#1
chandlerbingfl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 142	Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? I've got a 2009 and I do regular oil changes, sporadic general maintenance, keep track of mileage...but was wondering if the effects of running rich or lean are obvious? Are there specific things to look for? Listen for? Wondering, chandlerbingfl Login or Register to Remove Ads
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10-24-2013, 12:08 AM	#2
Rookie Rider Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Queens, NYC Posts: 1,263	Re: Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? I would think running rich would give you less gas mileage, and possibly a stronger smell of fuel.
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10-24-2013, 08:40 AM	#3
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? If your bike is lean, then blipping the throttle will result in a hanging idle before settling back down to normal. If you like is rich, then blipping the throttle will cause the idle to fall too quickly, dropping down below normal before working it's way back up. That's the poor man's method. Long-term running on a lean condition can cause your valves to overheat and warp, or even melt, thus loosing the ability to seal the combustion chamber and you lose compression, power, and eventually the bike won't run. Long-term running in a rich condition will cause excess carbon build up in the chamber and the vavles. (Think soot in a fireplace.) If it's bad enough, this carbon can also keep the valves from seating. It's better to be slightly rich than slightly lean, although being lean will give you better gas mileage. And one last thing: You can pull the spark plug and get an immediate state of affairs by looking at it. A black plug is too rich. A white plug is too lean. A golden brown biscuit color is just right. TOO RICH TOO LEAN JUST RIGHT Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-02-2013, 09:32 AM	#4
steelpix Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nashville, TN Posts: 43	Re: Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? What is the best way to adjust your mixture between rich & lean?
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11-04-2013, 12:03 PM	#6
JohnC Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 127	Re: Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? The idle mixture is all you can adjust without replacing parts, and it should be sealed. Unless you have reason to believe things are not "just right" I wouldn't give it a second thought. If your mileage and performance are within expectations, things are probably fine.
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11-10-2013, 08:52 PM	#7
chandlerbingfl Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Florida Posts: 142	Re: Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? Thanks for all the responses! I don't think I have any issues with rich/lean, just wondering.... chandlerbingfl
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11-11-2013, 01:34 AM	#8
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Rich? Lean? Any telltale signs? I agree with JohnC. If it runs good and performs well leave it alone.
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