So, I think I am going to change my air filter this weekend. Is it worth upgrading to a K&N? Also, how often do they need to be recharged and does anyone know which "model" for the 3rd gen Magna's. Also, any hints on doing this, like HOW do I remove the gas tank and seat. I (obviously) do not own a service manual or even an owner's manual at this point. I have worked on my own cars since high school, but this is my first attempt at working on a motorcycle (other than changing the oil). I'm sure I could figure out how to do these things, but I try to avoid "self experimentation" without at least some idea what I'm doing....
One thing to take into consideration is that the K&N will flow more air making it run a little leaner.
Just a thought.
Will it cause it to run so lean as to cause problems? I'm trying to make the bike run better and figure, start with the simple things.
It wont cause enough problems to hurt anything, will make your mileage go up just a tad but will increase the hesitation or surge in the midrange.
Now here is a thought if you are thinking of a muffler mod or change, I say do that and get the Dave Dodge jets and shims then while in the middle of that install the K & N. Make sure you adjust the slow speed jet (idle drop procedure) and you should bring out better performance.
On my 96 I had removed the baffles from the endplates installed the DD jets/shims and she was running a bit rich, so I added the K & N and brought here back much closer to where she should be.
Hope this helps.
Greg,
I was thinking of going to the K&N filter on my all stock '99 Magna. You've also confirmed what a local shop said -- that it would run a little lean on the low end. So my question is will the Dave Dodge Shim kit be enough to fix this or will I have to use a more modified jet kit? The shop offered to install the kit and filter for $133 (including the kit but not the filter). That's not outrageous but I'd like to do it myself just to learn... now if we only had a coastal region wrenching session. Hmmm.
Jesse, I think you would be find with the K&N and a Dave Dodge shim kit. You can also pick up the shims from Radio Shack, they are just a very small washer that is 0.020 thick. I have a pile of them here as a matter of fact.
Coast region wrench session, I know Allen (roboto65) was looking to hold a session but I dont think he will be available until January sometime.
I always offer to do them for anyone wishing to learn and willing to come up here to my place.
Thanks, Greg. I didn't realize the shims were just small washers. I'll take a look at the instructions and see if it's something I want to tackle on my own, otherwise I'll wait until January. It's not that far off anyway. Or I might be up for a road trip to Seagoville. I haven't been up there in a while and there are a few friends that I could visit.
Is there a Radio Shack part number for those washers because that sounds a lot cheaper than the $40 DDR shim kit?
The DD kit includes 4 new pilot jets, the shim washers and a special tool for setting the idle jets so really it's well worth the $40.
Greg helped me with mine and while it's not that difficult you will have to remove the tank, airbox and the carb bank. Some people leave the bank on the bike but with Greg we pulled it off and it helped make things a lot easier to work on.
Jimmy is right the shims and jets from DD are $40 but the shims along from DD are $20 I believe.
Radio Shack has a washer assortment package with more washers than you care to own, LoL. In this pack we use the smallest, Dave himself will tell you he really only charges for instructions.
The shims help a lot on a stock bike with no mods at all, with a K&N they are in my mind absolutely a necessity.
However with that said the biggest improvement is with the pilot jet adjustment to 3 turn out for stock setup and an 1/4 turn more for aftermarnt exhaust and K&N air filter.
Well if I'm going through the trouble of shimming the carbs and adding the air filter would it also be a good time to add the stock exhaust modification? (Since I'm going to have to re-adjust the carbs anyway?)
I've seen a few of the modified pipes for sale, and I was thinking I could buy the modified stock pipes from a fellow Mootster. That way I would still have my pipes if I decided that I didn't like the sound.
Hi all yeah somewhere around Jan or Feb for sure got my new workbench and need to break it in hehehe sorry for the wait but I will be hold one around then we will have to get Greg down here hehehheeh and we can do the springs to but I will keep you posted on when I am due off the boat and we will have a wrench session here on the coast.....
Allen,
A wrenching session in January or February sounds great. Count me in. I'll pick up the air filter and shim kit for my bike before then, and I may get a set of pipes too.
I can also bring my video camera to shoot a "how to" video -- especially on the carb or spring job. It may be handy for other MOOT members later on. It won't be a problem to make a DVD or on-line video. (I work with video so I always look for ways it can help out.)
Thanks!
Jesse,
The video sounds like a great idea. I'd be interested in seeing any wrenching sessions, especially where I might learn something.
Thanks
Thats great let me figure out a more firm time and a wrenching we will go. I have my cabinets now just waiting for some abuse and for me to get home hehehehehehe
A little confused here. For those that remember my bike at MOOT MAG#3, I had a leak on the left hand side. I am lucky to have a real good friend that happens to be the sales Manager at the local Honda Shop. I let him ride it to the store and he diagnosed it as a gas leak, but we couldn't be sure where it was coming from. It has gotten progressively worse, so we started to take the bike apart Monday night. Found that we needed to replace the gasket on the float chamber on the carbs on the left hand side. He recommended that I go ahead and do all 4 since we have the carbs on the bench.
I ordered them along with a K & N Filter.
Do you think I need to adjust the pilot jets due to the filter change? I no I don't have stock pipes, not sure which aftermarket's I have and bike ran like a top except for the gas leak.
David YES you will need to adjust the pilot screws. I would put them at 2 7/8ths to 3 full turns out from a light seat.