A worn out topic but...

[mainerider]

My '02 runs great; other than on the coldest Maine days I don't even need the choke.  2 quick quarter turn cracks of the wrist and she's running and holding idle.  However, I do have the slight 2,500-3,000 rpm lean spot; not enough to really bother me but if the cure was relatively quick and inexpensive I would probably do it. Could anyone offer their wisdom?  Is it the DD shims and/or different jets?  If the lean spot is minor (as mine seems to be) is the resulting improvement even worth the time/expense to do the mod?  Any advice would be appreciated.  Thanks.
Joe

PS
I'm getting 50 mpg pretty consistently; does that drop significantly with the Maggie lean spot cure?

[lragan]

I have never tried to ride (or even start the bike!) in weather that cold, so I can't speak to that issue.  I bought my bike with Cobra pipes in place, and installation of the DD shims, K&L filter, and thorough carb cleaning (all done at the same time) improved the performance in two ways:

1) The "soft spot" or "sag" in the power curve is no more.  I really scoots!

2) The bike doesn't backfire on deceleration.

By the way, since I put in a new battery, mine starts right up every time, with no "choke". 

Dropped my mileage from about 50 to about 45 mpg.

[Greg Cothern]

If you are not toolbox challenged then the task of adding shims is not all that difficult.  You can actually do the shims with the carbs still on the bike.  Here is a write up for doing the shims, jets, and adjustments.
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.com/tips.htm#A1.31

[TLRam1]

Shed some light.

I thought I read where DD does not see an improvement with a K&N filter, unable or hard to seal and does not recommend the K&N.

Does he or doesn't he favor K&N?

W/O K&N all you need are shims, correct?

W/K&N you need shims and main jets, correct?

What's the consinsises?

[Greg Cothern]

Not sure what DD has to say about the K&N, going with my own experiences, they seal just as good as a stock unit or better.  The K&N unit has a rubber base instead of plastic, should seal better.  Flows more a bit more air so if properly adjusted for then should and in my opinion, be a bit better. 
I have not dyno'ed anything so cant tell you hardcore #'s, but the best throttle response and feel 3rd Magna I have ridden and tweaked was a K&N, aftermarket muffler, DD jet/shim kit equipped bike.
If you bike is completely stock in all aspects then a shim kit will eliminate the mid-range lean spot and help with the decel popping.  Stock bike with muffler mod and shims you bring back towards the lean a tad, but can be compensated for mostly.  Same bike scenario can be run with jets as well but you will be a bit on the rich side, but not bad IF you install a K&N as well (I personally tested this on my original 96, K&N helped).  Anything more free flowing on the exhaust and jets are necessary, and seems (in my opinion) the K&N helps on the aftermarket mufflers I have seen so far.  I have not worked on any Supertrapps, although that is what I installed on my "Project 96 Magna" but it has a Dyna-jet kit (already installed by PO) so I will work with it.  It does not currently have a K&N, but my plans are to tweak it towards the rich side and if needed add the K&N to bring it back to the desired.

[mainerider]

Thanks for the comments.  I wonder if mine is even worth bothering with; it is so minor that I've never had the decel popping. I'm fairly handy so I'm not afraid to tackle it; If i decided to eliminate the flat spot would the shims alone take care of it?  Thanks again.
Joe

[Greg Cothern]

Yep if yours is stock the shims with a minor adjustment on the pilot jets will cure the flat spot. 

If ya dont mind pull a plug and post a PIC of it...

[mainerider]

Hi Greg,
Yes my bike is stock. Coincidentally, I changed the plugs last weekend; here they are.  Zooming in gives a pretty clear shot of them.  Pic good enough?  Thanks.
Joe

[attachment deleted by forum maintenance]

[Greg Cothern]

Joe, sorry I should have been more specific, I need to see the electrode color. 

[mainerider]

Hi Greg,
With my cheapo digital this is as close of a shot as I can get without it being completely out of focus.  Hope this helps. Thanks.
Joe

PS
Actually, if you click on the pic and enlarge it is reasonably clear.

[attachment deleted by forum maintenance]

[Greg Cothern]

LoL, I am having a difficult time explaining what I need to see hehehe..  If you were to spin the plug 180° then you drop the camera down to show the porcelain and the electrode coming out of the plug body.

[dgc67]

Or have someone hold the plug bottom side up and take it from a slight angle.  so you can see down into the electrode.  Might be good to have a light shining down into it as well.

[TLRam1]

I have resisted replying but this is what Greg needs to see. 

This might help you also, match it up.

http://www.dansmc.com/Spark_Plugs/Spark_Plugs_catalog.html

[Greg Cothern]

Thanks Terry, I was too busy to look up the link... 

[mainerider]

Thanks, all;  I'll try again.  I know what you were looking for Greg but my digital camera doesn't have much of a zoom feature; every time I try to take a shot close enough to make out the electrode clearly the pic is too fuzzy.  I'll see if my neighbor has a better camera.  I'll also eyeball my plugs with the chart that was supplied in the posts.  Thanks.