It's alive!! Strange issues.

[skatetokil]

My free 454 fired up for the first time yesterday after sitting for around 6 years.

Gets hot? Check.
Blows smoke? Check.
Makes noise? Check.

Was running way rich (sputtering and cutting out at more than 1/4 throttle) but when I revved it up gently it actually sounded and looked pretty good. Needs to burn off all kinds of internal deposits i suspect since it sat with oil in it, but I'm cautiously optimistic she will see the road again without a serious tear down.

I ordered some new air cleaners and I'm going to mess with the fuel screws to hopefully address the mix issue. Also having never heard one of these run before, I'm unsure what kind of cam chain/valve noise is normal. Anyone?

[bigandrew85]

Glad to hear it lives once more... ;D

Good luck getting it to run perfect

[eaglerider]

Yep, when properly all adjusted, its noisey. Wouldn't worry too much..doubt you have any serious situation..just do all the adjustments (valves, etc), clean the carbs real good,etc.

[chopperfreak2k1]

where ya from?

[skatetokil]

DC/NoVA.

Though I'm in the burgh every now and again...

[skatetokil]

Ok, so I took off the airbox and replaced it with pods and it stopped blowing smoke but I couldn't get it to run well off idle.

With the choke on it fires right up, and as it warms, the engine winds up to around 5000 rpms. However, adding throttle causes it to sputter and either die or run very rough at low rpms. When the choke is turned off, it will still idle but once again any significant throttle kills it. Got it hot and the same deal.

HOWEVER, when I take the pods off and put my hand over the carb openings to restrict airflow, it will spool up nicely. Sounds good past 9-1000 rpms, no smoke etc. Does it sound like I'm way lean? Should I be going to bigger main jets? If so, what size are you guys running?

Also, on the floats, the book gives a procedure involving tubes and some sort of gauge that I've never used to set height. In the past, I've flipped the carb over and measured from the rim to the top of the float but I don't have specs for that. Anyone know what the height should be on these bikes?

[sctsgt]

Try restricting the air flow with a bandanna or shop towel. Several on here have done that to good effect. Maybe go with a more restrictive filter like Eagle has on his. Good luck

[bigandrew85]

I'm not an expert like eagle ;D but to me it sounds like your getting too much air... I remember taking my filter off for the heck of it once while it was running and it wouldn't rev up at all, It would only idle

[eaglerider]

Yup...to much air. What kind of filters did u use? As posted by me earlier, I used Emglo brand, and NEVER had a problem. Appreciate the vote of confidence, BAndrew, but I'm really not an expert, tho I have about 6 years experience with the 454, and a good teacher - GWK - and he is the expert!! ;D

[skatetokil]

Got the Emglos off fleabay. I'm also having trouble getting them to stay put on the carb mouth but i think i just need to clean them off better. They were a bit wet with gas and I'm afraid it caused the filters to slip.

So I can't say the shop towel method appeals to me. Yeah, it will richen up your mix, but at the cost of horsepower and it will inevitably look ratty.

That's just a way to avoid rejetting for a higher flow intake, and I'm definitely not afraid to swap brass. I'm just looking for a good starting point for the main. If it starts and idles the pilot is fine but a bigger main jet seems like the ticket.

[skatetokil]

Also, I just found a parts fiche that indicates a #125 main came stock. Think a 130 would be enough or should I go higher?

[chopperfreak2k1]

dynojet sends a #140 in their stage 3 kit for pod filters and open exhaust

[skatetokil]

Mine has stock exhaust.

I'm going to try either 132 or 135 I think. Let you know how things work out.

[eaglerider]

I would go 140s.

[sctsgt]

I was just suggesting the shop towel as way to see if the air flow was your problem. If it didn't make a difference then it was something else.

[skatetokil]

Yeah, that's what my hand over the carb mouths told me. no need for the rags.

[chopperfreak2k1]

easy fella...

[skatetokil]

Not trying to flame, just being terse.

Also, I ended up ordering 130 and 135 jets to try out. I figure I wouldn't need to go all the way to 140 unless I gut the exhaust system. Always a possibility but for now I'm just trying to get it on the road and see if I like the bike. Never ridden anything but a dirt bike and about 5 minutes on a friend's sv650.

[eaglerider]

;D Well, if /when u get it all adjusted and running right....be prepared for a shock (and hang on)!!

[chopperfreak2k1]

yeah you'll be satisfied power wise for sure. ;D

[skatetokil]

It had a nice mean growl when i got it to wind up before. Definitely seemed to be putting out some power.

[skatetokil]

Well, I dropped in the 135 jets today and got to take my first ride on the 454. Definitely quick and comfortable as advertised. I agree eagle that it handles pretty well in the current setup. Certainly nothing to sneeze at (but could always be better ;D).

Still some things to address in terms of carburetion. The motor pulls hard from 5000 at full throttle, but I've got some bog off idle and a flatspot at about 4500. Seems like sitting around that rpm range with the throttle steady the motor surges and sputters a bit like it isn't sure if it wants to speed up or slow down. Thinking I might need to check the seal on the diaphragms maybe?

Anyway, I managed to get the bog issue under control by backing the mixture screws out about 4.5 turns...which means you might be right about the 140 main. That or a fatter pilot or shimmed needle. Not sure what to play with first, but for now I really just want to ride the thing. I don't think it's so lean that it's gonna blow up on me, do you?

[chopperfreak2k1]

i wouldn't think so. but to be safe keep the riding to a minimum till you have it sorted out. i say try the 140's

[eaglerider]

After warmed up, back the idlemixture screws out 2 1/2 turns, then fine tune each one - could be u might have them out a wee bit too much, but I would go to 140 jets anyway.

[skatetokil]

I'm still waiting on the 140 jets, but in the meantime I opened up the tops of the carb. I cleaned some gunk off the mating surfaces for the diaphragms and put down a little bit of grease so that I would get a nice tight seal. I also made a couple of little plastic shims (~1mm) and raised the needles. Certainly cheaper than a jet kit, and it made a definite difference in mid-range throttle response.

Still a little bit of low end bog but not nearly as bad, so I might do another shim and see what happens.

[squidly454]

You can also shim the needles with a washer or two. That's what I had to do to help with mid range response.

[skatetokil]

Yeah, but it still kind of ::sounds:: lean at WOT if you know what I mean.

[squidly454]

Then you might need 142 jets.

[chopperfreak2k1]

do the plug test