Popping & banging
 

Hi folks, after just ordering one of Kev's magic boxes to make my 09/10 XT660z run a bit "smoother" than it already does I have another thing I would like to sort out.
The bike seems to pop & bang a lot from the exhaust which I'm led to believe is normal anyway. It is totally standard but would prefer not to have this noise.
I read somewhere (can't remember where now) something about to cure it to block off the air injection system with an m10 cap screw & the popping/banging goes away.
Is this correct & if so can anyone tell me where exactly I can find said hose to "block off & if I do so will it effect the running of the bike in any way?

Ta muchly

P.s The popping & banging from the exhaust doesn't affect how the bike rides in any way, it's more of a preference for me, thats all.

Hi mate,

Seems you are running rich in fuel/air mix. To cure you should set back the Kev's mod to, let us say, six o'clock and see what happens. Play a little with the settings for best effect I.e. Fuel economy, power delivery, smoothness.

If you are running standard exhausts cans you should not try to block the AIS (the tiny pipe that goes out of the engine between the two exhaust pipes and connects to the air box), as this will eventually clog your catalyst and make the bike run worse. However if you change to aftermarket cans than you are more than ok to remove/block the AIS. The standard system is designed for letting air in the exhaust which actually helps the catalyst to warm up fast and work more efficiently.

Hope this helps.

Enjoy the holiday season. :D

Block off your AIS pipe that will stop the banging & popping. http://www.xt660.com/showthread.php?...d=1#post101266

Thanks Kev.
I assume this is the pipe I will need to block or plug up either from the airbox hole or the pipe itself? It's at the very top right side (if sat on bike) with a mesh like material around it
https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.n...3aea72b77eaa38

Kev one thing I did notice when I took the side casing off the air box was this (see pic) someone has sealed the breather hole/pipe up with what looks like araldite, properly sealed.
Why would anyone actually do this, I mean is there a benefit to this & should I just leave it?
(The air box itself is clean, dry & oil free btw)
Thanks again.
https://scontent-b-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/...e3&oe=5506C58F

Yes, it is the braided hose that needs blocking or clamping.

That "T" connector in the air intake pressure sensor vacuum line is normally connected to something I hope? Looks suspiciously like someone has tried to block it with some sort of goo? Maybe you have a Scottoiler fitted and the vacuum take-off was removed in the photo, or perhaps it did have one fitted and a previous owner has attempted to block the connector?

As for the airbox drain, I can't understand why anyone would block it off? It does still have the rubber bung in the other end? If I were you, I'd unblock it as it is the only visual tell-tale that you have water or oil in the airbox. I know you don't at the moment, but best to prepare for the future.

Hi, that "T" connector was there when I purchased the bike & no scott oiler fitted, doesn't mean it didn't have one fitted at some point tho.
Apart from looking untidy I assume its ok to leave as is?

I'll have to look at removing what they've sealed it with, it's properly set like stone so god knows how to get it off. we'll see.

You can't be sure how well it's sealed, but more importantly you cannot be sure that bits of whatever it is aren't falling off inside and getting sucked out. So I'd be inclined to get a straight connector from your local motor factor and replace it, or maybe fit a new length of vacuum hose? (Or get a Scottoiler - they really are a worthwhile long-term addition.)

As for the Araldite, that usually goes brittle over time and should split away from the airbox with a bit persuasion with a scalpel or Stanley blade.

I'd agree with Pleiades a Scottoiler is definitely worthwhile addition, there would be no other reason for the tee piece that I can think of so one was probably fitted previously.

More questions from the newbie.. (mudguard went on with some persuasion Pleiades, thanks!)

I'm pretty happy with everything, but am planning to do the TAT with the bike and want to have everything squared away. I'm also having trouble with popping and banging. It did this with the stock exhaust. I've now added an Exan oval classic and the popping is a bit obnoxious, particularly for long distance trail riding. I have made no further mods. Does this means it is running rich? Does this cause long term problems, or just scares yorkshire terriers?

Any ideas and solutions would be appreciated by all!

No. It's perfectly normal. Just the AIS system trying to clean up the emissions by allowing air into the exhaust ports to ignite any unburned fuel, which is the explosion/pop you hear on the overrun.

Dead easy to stop this. All you need to do is block the AIS pipe between where it takes air from the airbox and the AIS valve. Use a bolt, or whatever you have at hand. Make sure you block the correct pipe though!

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a.../AISXT660Z.jpg

Full thread can be read here.