17 miles per gallon... - Page 3

waterman · 05-15-2014, 02:36 PM

With running that high of octane, carbon build up can be a major issue. Do you run cleaner in your fuel? If you don't or haven't get some and double or triple the rate. Another thing to do is run the bike to the rev limiter for a 1/4 mile. I had a problem with a 1500A. Went thru a bunch of changes that didn't help. A gent on another forum told me to hit the rev limiter and watch what happens. Did it and it coughed and sputtered and then it gave a big cloud of black crap out the back. Hit the next gear and it was much better.

paul · 05-15-2014, 03:05 PM

Don't know if this will help or not, but I have run and absloutely love, the E3 plugs in both the 1500 and the 1600. Narry an issue, always a good burn. I also use Gumout fuel system cleaner at least every 6K miles and spray down the T-body about every 10, or when I clean the air filter. These T-bodies seem to gunk up pretty easy. Also, if you have a fuel processor, check it. Mine has changed settings slightly over time. Might be the vibes or who knows. But, check it.

toogun · 05-15-2014, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cnc

It's not so much the cleaning of the new plugs, but pulling them and checking the colour is going to be a clue to what is going on. White to grey= lean which is the way most stock Nomads run, tan to chocolate brown = just right. Black = rich.

Pulled the plugs and as I suspected there was already a carbon buildup on them, keep in mind there's only 60 miles on the plugs since new and gapped at .33"

I cleaned them so I could see the result next time I pull them. Now I need the rain to stop.

**cnc** · 05-15-2014, 05:05 PM

The porcelain is fairly white, yeah only 60 miles on them, but that looks lean to me so I don't think you are running rich at least not at the rpm range you had the bike running at before they were pulled.

toogun · 05-15-2014, 05:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by waterman

With running that high of octane, carbon build up can be a major issue. Do you run cleaner in your fuel? If you don't or haven't get some and double or triple the rate. Another thing to do is run the bike to the rev limiter for a 1/4 mile. I had a problem with a 1500A. Went thru a bunch of changes that didn't help. A gent on another forum told me to hit the rev limiter and watch what happens. Did it and it coughed and sputtered and then it gave a big cloud of black crap out the back. Hit the next gear and it was much better.

From what I've read we should be running at least 91 in the Nomad.
When I started riding we ran nothing but Sunoco 260 which was 104, and no damn ethanol! No pollution control, just octane and air. Guess that's why we had to go WOT often, come to think of it I don't ever remember having my plugs carbon fouled back then, but I was young and reckless.

I did have a dose of TKO 2000 fuel system treatment in the last tank.
Back in the day we used to periodically (daily) go wide open to blow out the carbon, we didn't have no stinkin' rev limiters. Actually I didn't know what a rev limiter was until I read your post...

That was 40 years ago, I ride somewhat more conservatively these days.
So I've done a bit of searching on the subject but am still a bit unclear about how to know that it's working, when it'll cut in, other than the exhaust might puke out some black smoke and fart a bit.

And tips on doing this? Still freaks me out that these bikes don't have tachs on them.. Geez even my Lincoln had a tach!

toogun · 05-15-2014, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ringadingh

It wouldn't hurt to add half a can of Seafoam either, I used it as regular maintenance a couple times a season.

I've never used "Seafoam", had a Seafoam Green Fender guitar once.
I'm seeing it advertised a lot lately Crappy Tire, Parts Source (same company) I used TKO 2000 Fuel Treatment in the last tank.
Do you think Seafoam is better. I have to run out this evening anyway so I could pick some up.

redjay · 05-15-2014, 07:45 PM

87 octane is all you need in your Nomad. Try it.

**Top Cat** · 05-15-2014, 08:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

87 octane is all you need in your Nomad. Try it.

Some Nomads ping on 87.

redjay · 05-15-2014, 09:22 PM

He wont know if it pings on 87 if he does not try it.

**Top Cat** · 05-15-2014, 09:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

He wont know if it pings on 87 if he does not try it.

I agree

dhuttonkc · 05-15-2014, 09:34 PM

I have always understood that to really read the plugs that you must be underway, at speed, then pull the clutch and turn off the ignition as you coast into a rest area or turnout.

Then pull the plugs from the engine to properly read them.

There is no need to pull them all if they are same brand and gapped correctly unless you suspect an injector problem, spark lead problem, or similar. Gently turn the plugs out of a warm engine. I use anti seize on plug threads.

Running at speed and then cruising home to read the plugs will not generally reflect how the cylinders are burning fuel when you are at highway speeds.

tonik · 05-15-2014, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toogun

I've never used "Seafoam", had a Seafoam Green Fender guitar once.
I'm seeing it advertised a lot lately Crappy Tire, Parts Source (same company) I used TKO 2000 Fuel Treatment in the last tank.
Do you think Seafoam is better. I have to run out this evening anyway so I could pick some up.

Seafoam is the best, it is the brand/type that most bikers go for. It delivers every time if there are any varnish/dirt issues in the fuel system. It is pretty amazing stuff.

toogun · 05-15-2014, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhuttonkc

I have always understood that to really read the plugs that you must be underway, at speed, then pull the clutch and turn off the ignition as you coast into a rest area or turnout.

Then pull the plugs from the engine to properly read them.

There is no need to pull them all if they are same brand and gapped correctly unless you suspect an injector problem, spark lead problem, or similar. Gently turn the plugs out of a warm engine. I use anti seize on plug threads.

Running at speed and then cruising home to read the plugs will not generally reflect how the cylinders are burning fuel when you are at highway speeds.

If I get to ride this weekend I'll give that method a try.

toogun · 05-15-2014, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redjay

He wont know if it pings on 87 if he does not try it.

Sure I'll give it a try next fill up.

toogun · 05-15-2014, 09:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tonik

Seafoam is the best, it is the brand/type that most bikers go for. It delivers every time if there are any varnish/dirt issues in the fuel system. It is pretty amazing stuff.

Bought some this evening poured half a can in. I'm curious to see the results.
BTW most of my riding is highway so I'm not too sure that I'm that carboned up, but it sure won't hurt will it.

05-15-2014, 02:36 PM	#31
waterman Top Contributor Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Colorado Posts: 6,530	With running that high of octane, carbon build up can be a major issue. Do you run cleaner in your fuel? If you don't or haven't get some and double or triple the rate. Another thing to do is run the bike to the rev limiter for a 1/4 mile. I had a problem with a 1500A. Went thru a bunch of changes that didn't help. A gent on another forum told me to hit the rev limiter and watch what happens. Did it and it coughed and sputtered and then it gave a big cloud of black crap out the back. Hit the next gear and it was much better. __________________ Joel "Waterman" 2017 HD Road Glide Ultra 2006 Nomad - Sold VBA 213 VROC 16913 Custer 09: Cortez 10: Crescent City 11: Kanab 12: Estes Park 13: Tahoe 14: Red Lodge 16 Login or Register to Remove Ads
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05-15-2014, 03:05 PM	#32
paul Sr. Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: magnolia, tx Posts: 1,500	Don't know if this will help or not, but I have run and absloutely love, the E3 plugs in both the 1500 and the 1600. Narry an issue, always a good burn. I also use Gumout fuel system cleaner at least every 6K miles and spray down the T-body about every 10, or when I clean the air filter. These T-bodies seem to gunk up pretty easy. Also, if you have a fuel processor, check it. Mine has changed settings slightly over time. Might be the vibes or who knows. But, check it. __________________ The beatings will stop when morale improves.
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05-15-2014, 05:05 PM	#34
cnc Join Date: May 2009 Location: Montreal QC Posts: 12,034	The porcelain is fairly white, yeah only 60 miles on them, but that looks lean to me so I don't think you are running rich at least not at the rpm range you had the bike running at before they were pulled. __________________ Norm Ward 2008 blue / silver nomad kawanow / VBA #01136
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05-15-2014, 07:45 PM	#37
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,929	87 octane is all you need in your Nomad. Try it.
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05-15-2014, 09:22 PM	#39
redjay Top Contributor Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Ontario Posts: 6,929	He wont know if it pings on 87 if he does not try it.
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05-15-2014, 09:34 PM	#41
dhuttonkc Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 157	I have always understood that to really read the plugs that you must be underway, at speed, then pull the clutch and turn off the ignition as you coast into a rest area or turnout. Then pull the plugs from the engine to properly read them. There is no need to pull them all if they are same brand and gapped correctly unless you suspect an injector problem, spark lead problem, or similar. Gently turn the plugs out of a warm engine. I use anti seize on plug threads. Running at speed and then cruising home to read the plugs will not generally reflect how the cylinders are burning fuel when you are at highway speeds.
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