1999 running too rich

[sob]

Hello anyone

I just purchased a 1999 Nomad with 800 original miles on it. It is in absolutely immaculate shape. I have just put over 200 miles on it and have had to fill the tank twice. Any suggestions on how to get better fuel economy??

The person who was the previous owner lived about 7000 ft above sea level and I am about 2700 ft above sea level - not sure if this could be a factor or not.

Thanks

SOB

[lomax]

sob ......welcome to the forum. You might let us know where you are located. Your bike with only 800 miles on it has obviously sat a lot. You haven't said just what milage you are getting or whether the bike is still all stock. First thing I would do is put a healthy dose of seafoam in the tank and run that through. If the PO has not used any type of fuel stabilizer in it over the years, you may have to take the carb off and clean it if its gummed up. I'm not sure about the altitude thing. Someone may chime in with that info. You have a great bike there. Ride safe! :)
Mike

[macmac]

1999 and carbed right? That's pretty strange if you ask me... hmmmmm....
Do you see and smell black smoke?

In theory you should be getting something like 32 MPG's, which you for sure are not.... Was that 1st tankfull as old as the bike by any chance?

And the 2nd tank should have done far better.

And yes that bike could have had jets for high alt.... Which should make the bike overly LEAN lower, but I have no way to tell if the bike was jetted for high Alt...

So that means there has to be a problem. Does the bike seem to run normal and have tons of torque?

Does the throttle respond? Do you find a flat spot where you twist the throttle and not much happens?

I never owned a carbed Nomad, but this just can't be happeneing with out a vacuum leak. There has to be a vac leak....

And for sure you will want to look into and learn all about the Judge's oil gear... You are going to need it. The factory has a re-call for that gear, but then they have to split the case, and with the Judge's you don't.

I am in quick reply, but you copy and past this site and BOOK Mark it, as we all use this and you will find out what the POG is... (plastic oil gear). Don't even wait for the cowy gear to go bad....

[lomax]

sob .....macmac brings up some good points to check out. The plastic oil gear (POG) will eventually be a problem for you but isn't likely to cause grief for some time to come. The majority of failures don't show up til around 20k miles but could happen sooner, or later. Makaw does not have a recall on the POG's. They have been going good for the repairs on them but not til after failure! Kind of strange way for them to do it but that is the way it is. They will cover costs to split the case and replace the POG with a steel oil gear (SOG), but if there is further damage to the engine from running without oil pressure, then you would have to pony up for the extra costs.
Mike

[macmac]

Duh I forgot the link to gadjets site....
http://www.gadgetjq.com/gadgetsfixitpage.htm
read up on that plastic oil gear...
I blame CRS, as it is in the water..

No re-call? I thought there was, but never the less you don't even want the dealer fix.. You want the STEEL gear that can be installed with out splitting the case..

Sorry to pass along bad info... It is just I never had that year and model.

[coacha]

Welcome to the board. I have a '99 and get something around 38-42 two up.

As far as the POG and the JOG replacement, good luck on getting a JOG. I have been trying to get one since November and can't hook up with Judge.

[lomax]

coacha ....Judge posted on VROC, I think yesterday, that he has a new supply of JOG's so now might be a good time to try to get him.
Mike

[coacha]

I talked to him tonight and it will be here by early next week.

[sob]

Hello to all out there who have responded to my questions.

My 99 Nomad runs and starts very well - there is no hesitation on the throttle and the plugs look to be okay. My elevation is about 2500 " above sea level and I am getting about 32 mpg. The bike I rod before this one a Honda Shadow ACE gave me between 50 and 55 mpg. I knew I would not get as good fuel economy but did not think it would be in the low 30's. Could be that the bike just need to be run and run and run which I intend on doing. I hope to have the original mileage doubled by the end of this week.

One other question - how do I post a picture of mike bike?? Can's see to figure it out.

[racinchef]

Originally Posted by SOB

Hello to all out there who have responded to my questions.

My 99 Nomad runs and starts very well - there is no hesitation on the throttle and the plugs look to be okay. My elevation is about 2500 " above sea level and I am getting about 32 mpg. The bike I rod before this one a Honda Shadow ACE gave me between 50 and 55 mpg. I knew I would not get as good fuel economy but did not think it would be in the low 30's. Could be that the bike just need to be run and run and run which I intend on doing. I hope to have the original mileage doubled by the end of this week.

One other question - how do I post a picture of mike bike?? Can's see to figure it out.

To post pics you first need to have an account with someplace like photobucket.com. Once you have uploaded pics, right click the "IMG Code" box beside the photo and it automatically copies the necessary string. Then you right click in the "Post Reply" message box and paste that into it. Click "Preview" and you should see your pic in the preview screen.

My opinion is this: If it starts and runs fine, just keep putting 5 oz of seafoam in the tank with every fill up. Keep doing this for about 500 miles and the mileage should improve as the fuel system cleans out. If it doesn't, then a carb disassembly and cleaning would be in order.

If the person living at 7000 ft had rejetted for that altitude, and you live at 2500 ft, your bike would be running lean, not rich. As you increase altitude you decrease fuel because there's less air up there.

Now: 30~32 MPG is NOT out of the question with these bikes under some conditions. I ride mine in rush hour stop & go traffic to work & back every day, and I'm hard on the throttle. I get about 32 MPG in town doing this. At a steady 85~90 MPH on the highway it will only get about 34 MPG, and maybe only 30 MPG if there's a headwind or going up hill.

But if I'm cruising around gently, at 50~60 MPH, and real steady on the throttle, I can get almost 50 MPG. At a steady 70 MPH on a level road with no wind I will typically get 45 MPG, with a passenger & luggage.

So it's highly variable depending on the conditions under which you ride.