Another newbie with jetting/Dynojet questions and woes

[monkeyman]

I've tried searching for existing posts, but none seemed to fit my issue enough to answer my question. I appologize now for the long post but wanted to provide as much info relevant to the issue as possible.

About 3 weeks back I purchased a 1998 Shadow Spirit 1100 with 8,000 miles. The only mods to the bike were Vance and Hines Classic II pipes with no baffles. I plan on using it as a daily rider. The person I purchased it from was the 2nd owner and had put approximately 1000 miles on the bike in the 2 +/- years he had owned it (derived from the title paperwork). Needless to say the bike had set for a while and needed some tuning up.

For the first ride to work (12 miles) the bike was slugish when at speed (35-45mph) and seemed to wander, not really holding a steady speed. I noticed that if the choke was applied slightly it would "clean out" and seemed to run better/hold steadier although still not "perfect".

After that trip I:
1. Changed the oil/filter and the final drive oil.
2. Removed and cleaned the carbs. Mildly dirty with some slight discoloration (varnish) in the bowls. Checked/lubed/adjusted the cables for the throttle and choke in the process.
3. Replaced the plugs.

The next trip was better but the bike seemed to still be running lean (latter confirmed by checking the color of the plugs), popping on decel (1-2 pops) and seemed to run hotter than I would expect. The plugs had not been drilled on the carbs so I drilled them out and tried to richen up the mixture but even with the air/fule screw 4 turns out it didn't seem to solve the issue. The open V&H pipes were loud enough to wake the dead so I decided to get baffles for them. Since the bike was lean I decided to go ahead and re-jet with a Dynojet Stage I kit as well. The existing air filter seemed OK, but was discolored (light brown/black) at the bottom 1/4 so I decided to replace it with a K&N filter too.

So, I get the baffles in and install them. Sounds better, but no noticeable difference in performance... still seems lean and popping on decel. Install the K&N filter, no noticeable difference, still lean (1-2 pops on decel).

Friday afternoon I tackle the Dynojet kit. First thing I notice is that the jets that come in the kit are numbered smaller than the existing jets (150, 155 and 160 in the kit VS. 178 from the factory). I called Dynojet's Tech support line. They assure me its just a difference in number systems and this is the correct kit for the bike. I installed the kit using the base settings for the needle (clip 4 slots from the top), air/fuel screw 2 1/2 turns out to start and decided to use the 160 jet based upon their recomendations matching the exhaust and air filter. The bike runs like crap. Popping is worse (5-6) pops on decel, seems weak/unable to hold a steady speed can't seem to adjust the air/fuel screw enough to help.

Today I decide to tear back into it looking for anything I might have missed while re-installing the carbs. Nothing missed. I take the jets out and compare them to the stock jets by placing them both on the stock needle and comparing how far the will slide on. This confirms the stock jet is indeed larger than the one from the DJ kit.

I decided to install the factory (17 main jet with the DJ needles and give this a try. Bike runs better than with the DJ 160 jets installed, but still 1-2 pops on decel.

One thing I have not been able to do is confirm the carbs are sync'ed. I did NOT split the carbs at any point during removal/install and I dont' have a mercury bar to check them with.

I plan on calling Dynojet on Tuesday, but since I'm feeling like their first answer was BS I'm not too confident in getting resolution from them now.

Any suggestions, experience with this bike/kit/setup ???????

If you've made it this far.... if nothing else THANKS for listening to an old man cry.......

[ohiospirit1100]

first i would use 170 main jets with the clips set to position 4 from the top. next i would remove the #42 slow jets and replace with the next size up which is #45. next adjust your pilot screws to 3.5 turns out.this should fix all of your problems! you will have a nice rich idle ,crisp off idle to half throttle and no popping. i run open drag pipes or baffled drags pipes with this set up and my bike runs mint!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[ohiospirit1100]

try leaving the 178s in and just up the slow jets to 45s and pilot screws to3.5 turns.+ or -one half.

[Cbjr]

Sounds like you got the wrong kit - I run the 175 mains in my 98 Spirit 1100 with baffled Classic II's and K&N. Runs like a scalded cat - Just a touch rich but nothing to worry about.

I have since changed to Samson Warlords and still runs just as good.

The numbers on the jets are not the same between stock and dynojet.

[baddger222]

+1 for the bigger idle jet and it does sound like you have the wrong jet kit. Here is what i found on dynojet site

http://www.dynojet.com/pdf/1188.pdf

[monkeyman]

Originally Posted by baddger222

+1 for the bigger idle jet and it does sound like you have the wrong jet kit. Here is what i found on dynojet site

http://www.dynojet.com/pdf/1188.pdf

It does appear that I've gotten the wrong kit. The kit that I have is 1152 which shows to be for a 1990-01 Honda VT1100 Shadow. I ordered it through a local dealership thinking they would know best which kit was correct for the bike Looks like I get to take it all apart again and get them to order the correct one. I thought about just keeping the 178's in there, but the needle in the 2 kits are different and if I'm going to go up on the pilot I might as well do it right.

Thanks for the help, you guys are great.

[Cbjr]

Originally Posted by monkeyman

It does appear that I've gotten the wrong kit. The kit that I have is 1152 which shows to be for a 1990-01 Honda VT1100 Shadow. I ordered it through a local dealership thinking they would know best which kit was correct for the bike Looks like I get to take it all apart again and get them to order the correct one. I thought about just keeping the 178's in there, but the needle in the 2 kits are different and if I'm going to go up on the pilot I might as well do it right.

Thanks for the help, you guys are great.

I didn't need to change my pilot jets - no popping on decel at all and I get very good fuel mileage - avgs in the mid-upper 40's.

[MarkC]

You need the #1188 kit.
The clip goes in the third groove from the top not the forth!
The dynojet main you need is either the 165 or the 170.
Also, the needle doesn't actually fit into the main jet, the needle has a needle jet that its uses that is fitted into the carburetor just above the main jet.
And no the OEM jet numbers and dynojet numers are not the same.
MarkC

[MarkC]

I hate to turn this topic this way but!.....................
If your experiencing running problems with the bike (Most noticable) in fifth gear at any speed below 60mph DON'T even try and fix it! The jet kit will really open the bike up a lot, and it will smooth out the bucking, jerking to a little more of a stumbling. The only work around for this problem is to ride it above that zone! don't use fifth for anything below 55mph and then at that you will have to be on perfectly FLAT ground just rolling along. When you get done and find you do have a problem in around the 45 to 60mph range in fifth gear what you will be told here is to rev the bike more. I tried to fight it, but I have giving in, just rev it more!
MarkC

[kizmaaz]

i did the jet kit this last weekend in my 1100 shadow ace. everyone is right i used the #170 in mine and #42 for the slow jet which was stock and man ole man she runs like a stipped a-- ape now.no popping and instant excell..eeee haw lets ride!