[Kenneth_Moore]

There are a lot of posts out there on the various forums regarding removing the secondary throttle butterflies. So, without coloring the responses with my own interpretations on the topic, can somebody fill me in on why you would do that? And why you wouldn't?

Thanks.

 

[sarnali2]

The main reason for removing them is that the average flub-dub with a cresent wrench feels he is better at designing intake systems than the factory engineering staff..........

The biggest reason for not removing them is because he's not...

 

[longride]

I believe the secondaries keep the power down at the lower RPM's. Makes for a safer ride for most people. I know the guys that took out the secondaries on their zx-14's got a boatload more torque down low. My Advice: Just leave the damned thing alone and ride it!

 

[acecycleins]

It's all kind of a Vmax thing, right? A little servo (or electronics from the ECU for FI bikes) blows the butterflies opened around 6k and WHAM! you're making power.

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

My Advice: Just leave the damned thing alone and ride it!

Pretty much my intention, aside from fun stuff like windshields etc. I'm just always interested in learning more.

Couldn't agree more with the thought that there are a lot of guys out there who think they can out-engineer the guys who do it for a living...with millions of dollars in test equipment and dozens of test engines etc. to fool around with.

There was a pretty funny post at the VStrom forum about how yanking off the intake snorkel would give you more power. Another guy was trying to explain intake pulse tuning etc. Then the first guy came back and said he'd put it back on because it actually ran better that way. Ay cheewawa!

 

[longride]

Pretty much my intention, aside from fun stuff like windshields etc. I'm just always interested in learning more.

Couldn't agree more with the thought that there are a lot of guys out there who think they can out-engineer the guys who do it for a living...with millions of dollars in test equipment and dozens of test engines etc. to fool around with.

There was a pretty funny post at the VStrom forum about how yanking off the intake snorkel would give you more power. Another guy was trying to explain intake pulse tuning etc. Then the first guy came back and said he'd put it back on because it actually ran better that way. Ay cheewawa!

Bikes these days are so good out of the box, all that is required is to ride the damned thing! If you feel the need to tinker, and get full of grease in the process, c'mon up and I'll let you work on the Knuck for a while. I figure that should cure ya! :-D

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

Bikes these days are so good out of the box, all that is required is to ride the damned thing! If you feel the need to tinker, and get full of grease in the process, c'mon up and I'll let you work on the Knuck for a while. I figure that should cure ya! :-D

15 years of the Shovelhead Low Rider took care of all that for me. The fun part was, you could actually do stuff to improve the bike, like add electronic ignition, S&S carb, etc. I'd rather get an old British sports car if I feel the need to putter in the garage. I like to actually RIDE my bike!

 

[seruzawa]

Get one of those...

15 years of the Shovelhead Low Rider took care of all that for me. The fun part was, you could actually do stuff to improve the bike, like add electronic ignition, S&S carb, etc. I'd rather get an old British sports car if I feel the need to putter in the garage. I like to actually RIDE my bike!

... old English sports cars and puttering in the garage is ALL you'll do!

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

... old English sports cars and puttering in the garage is ALL you'll do!

Yeah, but what smells and sounds better than a '74 TR6 or MGB? Nothin..cept maybe a Shovel with drag pipes right after a nice Gunk job.

 

[seruzawa]

Bikes these days are so good out of the box, all that is required is to ride the damned thing! If you feel the need to tinker, and get full of grease in the process, c'mon up and I'll let you work on the Knuck for a while. I figure that should cure ya! :-D

It used to be you could get a substantial increase in power because the factory engineering of Triumphs, BSAs and HDs was so pi$$ poor. A few hundred bucks might get you 10-15% more power. Today a few thousand bucks might get you 3% more power. Hardly worth it. That's if that 3% gain on top doesn't cost you a 5% loss in the low and midrange.

 

[longride]

15 years of the Shovelhead Low Rider took care of all that for me. The fun part was, you could actually do stuff to improve the bike, like add electronic ignition, S&S carb, etc. I'd rather get an old British sports car if I feel the need to putter in the garage. I like to actually RIDE my bike!

I forgot you WERE a Shovel guy! I felt, and still feel your pain! :-D

 

[mscuddy]

The only secondary butterflys I know about were the ones in my stomach at the start line at the 'Dunes way back when. Now I get 'em when I think of cleaning out my garage....

 

[sarnali2]

I restrict my tinkering to my '89 Range Rover, that's got to be the funnest thing I've ever driven. Everytime I'm in it I get the urge to climb up the side of Mt. Rainier or something

 

[Kenneth_Moore]

From Stromtrooper today:

"Yesterday I installed my Leo Vince exhaust, k&n filter, and PCIII...and now my bike runs like crap! Ok, well it runs good everywhere after 4,500 rpms. I have an '07 and before this, there was just a little bit of roughness in the 3000-4000 range, but now it's absurb."

I can't wait to not install an aftermarket exhaust on my DL.