Just out of curiosity, what kind of mileage do you guys with 3rd gen Magna's get? I take mine to and from work (10 miles on roads, 6 miles on highway, one way) and average between 33 and 39 mpg. Does this sound about right? When I got the bike, the idle was set high (~2k). I turned it down to ~1500. The bike seems to stumble at ~2k rpm especially, when it is cold and at times it feels surgey. It has ~10,500 miles on it. Is there some maintenance I should see about doing? I know the guy replaced the spark plugs about a year ago.
Daniel your mileage is in the range depending on how you ride. Aggressive and it will drop, easy and laid back it will go up into the upper 40's.
On the stumble sounds like it may have sat for a while, just keep riding it and maybe put in a bottle of carb cleaner for a few tanks.
If this doesnt get the stumble to go away then you may need to do a little cleaning on the carbs. If this is the only spot it stumbles then I would just ride it for a while.
As Greg said mileage can vary greatly depending on riding style. However in my opinion that sounds like very bad mileage. I drive one way 9 miles ~50 mph with a couple or three stops at red lights to work and get closer to 45-48 last time I checked. In almost all instances I go no less than 100 miles to reserve even running fairly hard and usually go 115. The 33 to 39 you are getting sounds more like my Valk.
Sorry I can't help you much on the maintenance, I have only had my '99 for a little over a year and she only has 6500 miles. I'm with Greg though in that the carbs are a good place to start looking, especially if the bike ever sat for long.
Curtis
Thanks, I'll try that carb cleaner and see what goes it. I do not think I ride very aggressive. I never rev it past 4k, until I get to highway speeds and sometimes I get out accelerated by the cages around me off of lights. The best mileage I have gotten is the 39. The other day I had to switch to reserve with only 95 miles on the tank. Another question. How do you gas up your bike to the top without making a mess. Maybe its the gas stations around me, but with those overflow cut off pumps the damn thing is either off or on. There seems to be no low flow dribble mode, so it almost always splashes out some...
Regarding your question about the gas, I have the frustration with the pump being on or off, no in between. I usually just take one of the paper towels they have by the windshield washing stuff and use that to cover the tank opening while I'm filling to avoid the splash. It seems to work ok. It also catches any drips that may fall off when I take the nozzle out.
>>>>>I never rev it past 4k, until I get to highway speeds and sometimes I get out accelerated by the cages around me off of lights<<<<<<
Well, that's your problem then.......blow that sucker out! LOL, seriously I don't know. There does seem to be a problem because I am a jack rabbit start kind of guy and am almost alway ten over whatever limit is posted. I hit reserve at around 115 most of the time.
Even worse (for your mileage as a comparison) and related to your other question, I never try to top off the tank. I fill on the side stand, try to slow the nozzle when the tank is almost full and once I cut it off or it cuts off by itself I never put any more in. I don't usually have problems with it splashing unless I'm daydreaming and forget to slow down at the top. Of course, the persistent last drop will get on my paint almost every time LOL.
Curtis
She's definitely not running right. Idle speed should set 1000 + or- 100 rpm.
Sounds like gummed up carbs. I use an old "shade tree" mechanic's trick. El Cheep-O Automatic Transmission Fluid... take a gallon of gas, put in about 1/2 to 2/3 of a pint of the cheapest Type A ATF you can find at the local "Dollar" store... shake it up to mix well, add to gas tank, then fill the tank... Do this for about 3 tanks and the carbs and intake valves should be clean as a freshly bathed baby... Why? ATF is a very light weight (usually synthetic oil) containing a LOT of solvents intended to keep the innards of a transmission varnish free... Works for me...
JR
Lake Livingston
Its funny you should mention the transmission fluid thing. I have a buddy that works at an oil change shop and that is what he recommends people to do the day before getting there oil change. He says top of the oil with tranny fluid the day before you get the oil changed and it cleans out the engine better than anything. I just have a natuall aversion to putting products in the "wrong" place, especially in my Black Magie....but I may have to try it...
Aye. I've done that too. The "magic" of the ATF is in the high percentage of solvents suspended in the oil. I've done it on engines with very noisy hydraulic lifters to clean them up and quiet them down too.
JR
MOOT 156
Lake Livingston
So I've noticed that my bike seems to run better in the morning on the way to work, than on the way home. It seems to run even worse in the afternoons after it has rained and is very humid outside. I know environmental conditions have an impact on carburetion. Any ideas on what my problem is. Easing on the throttle, the bike gets real surgey from ~2k rpms to ~4k rpms and very hesitant at ~2.5k rpms. It seems like if i get on the throttle a little heavier the issue is not as noticeable. I have been running some carb cleaner in the gas and turned my idle down to ~1k. I am seeing improved gas mileage. Last fill up I got 86 miles on 2.1 gals.
Daniel your mileage is coming back, but the surging and difficult running obviously still need attention.
Sounds like to me you guys need a wrench session and pull those carbs, get em clean and install Dave Dodge shims and adjustment.
If you have a trip up this was anytime soon I would be more than glad to pull em and help you with them, I have done a couple, LoL.
Since you didn't put the plugs in yourself I would check the gap on them.
When was the air filter last changed?
In my bikes I use Seafoam for a fuel additive, you can buy it at NAPA and other places. I have had better results with this product than any other.
I have added ATF to the fuel(1 quart to about 20 gal.'s every 5 or 6 tankfulls) with good results in my vehicles that had a lot of mileage on them. I have used it to eliminate an engine noise(valves) and it improved my gas mileage.
What does the Dave Dodge shims do? I looked at their website, but it is under contruction and of no help....
Daniel you have basically 3 fuel metering arrangements on the Magna carbs.
First is the slow jet for idle meaning you dont have to touch throttle and fuel flows when vacuum is present.
Then the needle which is for mid-range is attached to the vacuum piston slide. The needle is tapered and actually physically limits fuel flow through the main jet as you twist the throttle.
Finally the main jet for high.
The Dave Dodge shims go on the needle to raise it .020 to richen the fuel mixture in the mid-range when transitioning to the mains.
Engine can only run so fast on slow jet until it goes beyond its capability to flow enough fuel, then the needle comes in to carry you to the main jets.
The main jets are fixed flow depending on the vacuum slides to pull more air and fuel, but the main jets only allow fuel flow up to a limit.
This is a basic explanation that hopefully conveys the message.
just did the calculations: I get 150 KM before reserve. that is 95 miles =/- a couple. I drive like I stole it, all the time. I drain the carbs every fall, & remove & drain the tank over winter. I burn 102 octane gas, and changed the plugs at 18,000 KM. I set the idle speed with the adjuster under the choke knob. Screw UP to increase idle, screw DOWN to lower. I use the choke for 10 seconds when starting, then use the idle adjust screw to set idle speed. There is a DEAD spot about 4500 RPM, but I ride on either side of this so I always have POWER on tap. Never know when you will need or want to pass a CAGE (always!). I have 26K Km now. Bike works like a charm.
Greg
Shims will remove that "dead spot".
I heard that before; is it a complicated fix? I think I'll make that my next winter project. Bike would really be flawless then!
Thanks. OBTW, where can I get these "shims"?
Greg
There is a write up on the shim install on the tips and tricks page on the MOOT site.
You can order them from,
DODGE RACING PRODUCTS
16503 Glenfurness Drive
Huntersville, NC 28078
U.S.A.
Tel: (704) 892-7961
Thanks for the info Greg.
Where do I find the tips & tricks here at MOOT?
It doesn't appear on my screen.
Thanks.
You have to go to the MOOT website Greg.
Located here:
http://www.magnaownersoftexas.org/tips.htm#A1.23
Marc
Thanks for the info Mark.
Greg