Windshield effect on MPG?

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

07 Mar 2012 00:11
#508231
hi glad you got things going your way :cheer: however :unsure: i asked about exhaust :dry: but asked wrong question :whistle: what kind of muffler ? is it kerker to ? i like it, thats the one i want.my bike wont ever look as good as yours. :angry: can you tell were to find one???? thank you

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  • Gary - K7GLD
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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

07 Mar 2012 14:45 - 07 Mar 2012 17:58
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nobody wrote: hi glad you got things going your way :cheer: however :unsure: i asked about exhaust :dry: but asked wrong question :whistle: what kind of muffler ? is it kerker to ? i like it, thats the one i want.my bike wont ever look as good as yours. :angry: can you tell were to find one???? thank you

Sorry - I missed your question - the muffler is a simple automotive "Cherry Bomb" - an 8 inch long version, to replace the "adapted" OEM *single* restrictive muffler the bike came with it was EXTREMELY restrictive as used with the Kerker manifold setup - here's some pics and a video showing the before/after:

[IMG

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Here's a couple of pointers to EBay sources for the Cherry Bomb mufflers - an Internet search will probably find them even cheaper - I paid $24 for mine:





I really like that first one, mighta bought that if I had seen one before I bought my red one...
John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD
Last edit: 07 Mar 2012 17:58 by Gary - K7GLD.

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

07 Mar 2012 14:57
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Motor Head wrote: You can pick up some MPG by re-gearing. I went up a countershaft tooth on my 82 K2 1000 LTD. I run a Vetter and side bags, and have done 1400mi trips with the average up around 45.

I'd be interested in learning more on how you did that on a shaft-type KZ1100 - how was it done, and where did you find the parts? :huh:
John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

07 Mar 2012 17:17
#508358
Sounds good Gary.
78 KZ1000 A2A

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

09 Apr 2012 01:37
#514795
In 1988 I rode my 1982 LTD 1000 from Santa Cruz, Calif to New Hampshire. Down the east coast to Virginia and took the southern route back to California. Had the bike set up up with saddlebags, tank-bag, small tent and sleeping bag. Before leaving Calif, I mounted a windshield almost identical to what you have and I averaged 50mpg as I traveled across the country.

My current 1981 LTD 1000 is getting about 45mpg, but it's a tired engine and could really used a rebuild.
Current Ride: 2005 Kawasaki Vulcan 750
4th Ride: 1981 Kz1000 LTD (2008 - Storage)
3rd Ride: Wife (1999 - 2005)
2nd Ride: 1982 Kz1000 LTD (1983 - 2004)
1st Ride: 1977 Yamaha SX-650 (1981 - 1983)

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

09 Apr 2012 13:38
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MajDSaster wrote: In 1988 I rode my 1982 LTD 1000 from Santa Cruz, Calif to New Hampshire. Down the east coast to Virginia and took the southern route back to California. Had the bike set up up with saddlebags, tank-bag, small tent and sleeping bag. Before leaving Calif, I mounted a windshield almost identical to what you have and I averaged 50mpg as I traveled across the country.

My current 1981 LTD 1000 is getting about 45mpg, but it's a tired engine and could really used a rebuild.

You are one of several KZ1000 owners reporting great gas MPG - seems the 1000's were capable of lots better economy than the later and larger engines - wonder what the primary difference in engine design or setup was that made the differene - the displacement alone certainly isn't all that different...
John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

09 Apr 2012 13:57
#514849
My 1100 vetter gets anywhere from 34 if I'm romping a bit, to my best to date was 46MPG- filled up when I left home, 50mph two lane blacktop fairly flat, ran out 50 some miles topped off and checked it.
Keep outta the throttle and they will amaze ya
1981 KZ1100 Vetter "Luminous Navy Blue" DAMN YOU COLOR CODES!
Medina, Oh
My Bike Thread
www.kzrider.com/forum/10-new-members/469298-from-ohio

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

09 Apr 2012 16:33
#514866
Hey, thanks for the pic's, video's, links and most of all the idea... I would've never thought of the old school Cherry Bomb! I was looking into getting a comp baffle for my bike, but think the look of the canister will go good with my build.

Well done...

Tony
76 KZ900LTD
82 GPz750R1
01 VULCAN 800A-CHOPPED
76 IRONHEAD-CHOPPED
77 RD 400 Cafe

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

10 Apr 2012 22:11
#515126
First and foremost...that is one clean machine! Very, very nice.

For a benchmark, I roll the identical '83 base, just with Vetters front and rear. Now up to just over 7k miles on the odometer, over about 1500 miles I am running exactly 40 mpg with stock airbox, aftermarket late '80s 4-2 exhaust, unknown if PO changed mains. That is for an even mix of 40-55 local twisters and 70ish highway. Mainly moderate on throttle and minding RPM with fun around the edges of course. Fair bit of the smaller roads run in 3rd- same as 70ish in 5th on highway for RPM.

I would believe our main jets may have started @ 117.5. I'll be checking mine and looking to go 2+ to 122ish for upcoming MAC 4-1. I can share results in the next month or so.
'83 KZ1100-A3 Shaft, Vetters

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

10 Apr 2012 22:47
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markthink wrote: First and foremost...that is one clean machine! Very, very nice.

For a benchmark, I roll the identical '83 base, just with Vetters front and rear. Now up to just over 7k miles on the odometer, over about 1500 miles I am running exactly 40 mpg with stock airbox, aftermarket late '80s 4-2 exhaust, unknown if PO changed mains. That is for an even mix of 40-55 local twisters and 70ish highway. Mainly moderate on throttle and minding RPM with fun around the edges of course. Fair bit of the smaller roads run in 3rd- same as 70ish in 5th on highway for RPM.

I would believe our main jets may have started @ 117.5. I'll be checking mine and looking to go 2+ to 122ish for upcoming MAC 4-1. I can share results in the next month or so.

I tried starting with 120 mains, but power was down a bit, so took a jump up to 135's - power was better, but that was the 35 MPG setup. I now have a set of 127.5's, power is fine, and plugs are perfect in coloring - a nice white-to-light tan gradient across the center electrode - put on about 45 miles with the smaller mains, but not enough yet to top off the tank to see if any difference - thanks for your comments.
John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

10 Apr 2012 23:13
#515139
Thank you too- 122.5 would definitely be too small for me then- great share, definitely saved time. I will look to 127.5....regards.
'83 KZ1100-A3 Shaft, Vetters

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Re: Windshield effect on MPG?

11 Apr 2012 01:00 - 11 Apr 2012 01:01
#515170
markthink wrote: Thank you too- 122.5 would definitely be too small for me then- great share, definitely saved time. I will look to 127.5....regards.

Just so you have the complete picture, I'm also running 37.5 pilot jets, and 6-slot adjustable needles, with the clips in the 3rd slot down from the top, no idea how that would compare with the OEM single-slot needles, or the more common 5-slot aftermarket needles - the needle profile is an unknown compared with the others, but the setup works perfectly with my OEM intake and 4/1 Kerker exhaust setup with the Cherry Bomb muffler.

Thanks, and good luck.
John Day area - Eastern Oregon
Restored 1983 Kawasaki 1100LTD
Last edit: 11 Apr 2012 01:01 by Gary - K7GLD.

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