Proper newbie co question :-)
 

Hi folks, i have a quick question!! Ive read all over the forum about snorkel removal, co levels, dna stage 1 and 2 air filters and kevs mod. Ive just done a bit of tinkering around with my 06 xtx that ive had for a week and ive discovered a few wee bits and pieces. The first is that there is a k&n air filter installed already in the bike and there is 5 holes (approx 25mm diameter) in the side of the airbox already. (This has been done by previous owner and he has put little rubber plugs in to block up the holes). There is no stage 2 filter, just a plastic cover that screws off. Is it safe for me to pull out the snorkle with this existing set up? Can i also safely remove the rubber plugs? Also what would the recommended co level be for this set up with standard exhausts. The co level is currently at 5 although im not sure if the previous owner set it at this or if this is the factory level. I have adjusted it up and down just to see what happened and i discovered the bike seems to run a bit better at lower speeds with the co around 40. Again my question is: is this a safe level for the bike as i read in another post that you shouldnt go anymore than 10 above the factory level. Ive also read about a mixture that is too rich making the bike run lean. Exactly what do u guys mean by "lean" and how can i tell if my bikes running lean or not? Im real sorry if these are simple newbie questions so i apologise in advance, lol!! Im not just a newbie to this forum but to motorcycling in general though im really enjoying reading and learning all the info this forum has to offer. Thanks in advance for all advice :-) Dave :love10:

Firstly, don't apologise - questions are what forums are for! ;)

Your bike has had Kev’s airbox mod done on it in the past. Judging by the fact the holes have been bunged up, it more than likely at some point had either a Kev mod or Power Commander (PC) fitted, which the vendor removed prior to selling (common practice). The holes were blocked off because without a fuelling devise it would almost certainly have been left running too lean.

Mind you, have you had a good look about the bike for a fuelling device? You’d notice a PC, it’s quite big, but a Kev mod could be quite discretely mounted (small black box about 3cm square, with a knob on top and two small wires disappearing off the airbox AIT sensor.)

Removing the snorkle maybe OK, but I definitely wouldn’t entertain removing the bungs without first fitting a fuelling device. Your bike will lose power, surge more and be far from smooth.

If it runs better at 40, then leave it at that. Richening the mixture by adjusting the CO will only slightly improve things, and even then only at very small throttle openings only. You can't really do any harm.

Lean means the air/fuel ratio is too high (too much air in relation to fuel) or in old school terms you have a weak mixture of fuel and air. The bike will surge more, make less power etc. Ideally it should be around 13.6:1 (13.6 parts of air to 1 part fuel). In stock trim XTs run in the 14's to suit emissions regulations, which is too lean to start with. With a K&N, no snorkel and unblocked 25mm holes in the airbox your bike will be running way leaner than that!

I’m certain you’re probably better off leaving the snorkel in place and keep the holes bunged up until such time as you can afford to fit a fuelling device, either a Kev mod or PC, particularly if you’re having trouble with a jerky throttle and surging.

Hi pleiades, thanks for the quick reply mate!! I can tell that the guy before me has definitely done a few bits and pieces to the bike and as you say has put them back to standard before he sold it to the dealer who sold it to me. Ive definitely had trouble with a jerky throttle around town, as soon as i let the revs off the bike jerks forward (not the safest thing halfway round a roundabout ive discovered, lol) and im definitely going to have to have a closer look at kevs mod. I havent seen anything else attached to the bike and ive had the seat and plastics off so im sure i would have noticed. As i said im a total newbie and i dont want to do any damage to the engine once i start with even these simple mods. I think for now ill leave co at 40 and keep the snorkle in place, buy kevs mod and take it from there. Ive had this wee bike a week and absolutely love it round the country roads, its just a bit of a ****** to get used to round the town :-)

I think that's an excellent plan Dave.

Welcome mate and DONT WORRY about asking questions, thats what the forum is here for!! You have been given excellent advice from Pleiades so I would suggest getting used to your bike as it is and then think about the mods you mentioned, the Kev fuel mod is fantastic and really changes your bike. The Stage 2 filter is also excellent, so I would take my time and plan your moves, an after market exhaust also removes weight and lets your bike breathe better. Have fun!!!

Oh and ps re rich and lean, simple version is this: all engines need a mixture of fuel and air to run. If you blocked off the air intake and tried to run on just fuel, the mixture would be too RICH and the engine would not run. If instead you tried to run on air then of course the mixture would be too LEAN and the engine would not run. So you need a correct fuel/air mixture for the engine to run correctly. That is also one reason why the after market filters, the Kev fuel mod and the after market exhausts are so useful as they all allow the engine to breathe better and thus to be more efficient.

hi simon, can youse guys recommend a good aftermarket can? Preferably one available in the uk that i can start saving the pennies for (or speak nicely to the wife) lol!! I think your right matey, ill just adjust the co upwards from 5 to 40 and leave rest as is until i get used to the bike. It does take a wee bit of getting used to, especially the really short gears. My previous bike was a 99 750 bandit and it was like riding a big heavy tractor lol

MTC.

You'l even get some forum discount, and the guys there are as helpful as you will find anywhere.

https://www.mtcexhausts.com/

Yup MTC are the boys to go with and given that they work with this forum then they will sort out any problems you may have. I fitted Leo Vince to mine as they are more readily available here in Italy and thus not too expensive, but in the UK I would definitely go with MTC.

Cheers lads, ill get a look this evening :-)