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View Full Version : Howard's Air Flow Mode, Fine tune while you ride.


robbin40
05-10-2008, 03:52 AM
:)I have been using this mode now for about 2 months and it is working very well. Thought I would try to send it out to anyone interested in it. I have written a document with pictures in the event anyone should be interested in looking at it. I was unable to post it. I am not sure I can get the pictures in as attatchments in this thread (kinda new to the forum), but I am gonna give it a try.:choppersm
VTX 1300 A/F Adjustment Extension
For anyone interested in being able to adjust the air fuel ration while riding.
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The parts necessary to make the Air and Fuel Adjustment Extension for the VTX 1300 are as follows:

Item 1: One 16028-MEA-671 Screw Set B from www.RONAYERS.COM (http://www.RONAYERS.COM) for $16.48, and Item 3 is one 17202-MEA-670 Stay Idle Adjust for $1.61, also from Ron Ayers. Shipping cost is $9.00 You can also reach them by phone at 1-800-888-3084. These parts are OEM stock parts and can be purchased from your local Honda Dealer as well. You may be able to save on shipping costs.

Item 2 is avalable from Hicks Custom Machine Works www.hicksmachine.com (http://www.hicksmachine.com) or by phone at 1-832-724-3324
You will need one AFS-VTX13 Hicks screw, if you do not already have one. The cost is $30.00 and incluces shipping.

Item 4: Steel pin 1/16 inch thick. (Get from anywhere, make your own)

Idle Adjust Modification

Cut back idle adjust threads to approximately 1/4 inch from lip (washer like stop) of screw. With a file or grinder round the cut end of the idle adjust to shape the drill bit tip for the Hicks A/F Modification for a good tight fit. Set aside.

Modifying the HIcks A/F Screw for Modification
(You must be percise with this step! A drill press and vice is very useful!)

Step 1: On the head (top) of the A/F screw drill a hole in the center with a 5/32 US drill bit. Drill approximately 1/4 inch deep. (Cautoin: DO NOT OVER DRILL!)

Step 2 Take idle adjust modification and put it in the hole on the head of the A/F screw (Step 1) With a 1/16 US drill bit, drill a hole all the way through the side of the A/F screw, through the center hole drilled in Step 1 while holding the idle adjust tightly in place, and come out the other side of the A/F screw head. (You will also be drilling a hole through the idle adjust modification at the same time.)
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Make a pin from a 1/16 piece of steel wire, nail, ect . . and put through the center side hole allowing 1/16th inch clearance on each side of the hole and brad both sides.

By now most everyone has done the par valve mode. For those who have not performed this modification, it must be done before the Air Fuel Extension will work because the par valve hose will be in the way of the A/F Extension. You can temporarily disconnect this hose, block it, and cap the snout on the OEM box. You can find information on how to do the par valve mode via this site.

A/F Stay Location

This modification is for the stock OEM Box, but will work with other breathers. You must find the proper location for your stay to fasten. Remove the drain tube from the OEM box and cut the snout where the drain tue is hooked to off even with the box. You can leave this hole open or close it off with a small screw. I closed mine off. This step is necessary to clear an area for the new A/F screw extension. This will allow the adjuster knob to come out under the back bottom of the box, making it easy to adjust the A/F ratio while riding. Drill a hole on the bottom side of the OEM box directly below and in line of where the drain tube snout was. The stay comes from the factory at a 90 degree angle and has to be straightened out to approximately 15 degrees. Place the OEM box on the carburetor securing temporarily with two screws. Slip the new A/F extension adjustor into the stay notch and bend the new stay up or down to adjust for a perfect fit. Put bolt into the new stay and secure to the box with a washer, bolt, and nut.
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Turn the new A/F adjuster screw till lightly closed. Then turn it out 2 1/2 turns and mark the top of the adjuster knob with something that will not disappear. I used nail polish. Ride to warm up the engine. While in 5th gear approximately 40 mph, get on the throttle hard, running up to 55/60 mph. Back off to 40 mph. Change settings by 1/8th of a turn in (lean). Run back up to 55/60 mph, paying close attention to how the bike runs. If the bike runs bad reduce speed to 40 mph, turn back 1/4 turn (rich) Repeat this process until you find your best performance and smoothest ride. With this process you will always know where your setting belongs.

Due to the thickness of the OEM A/F D Screw head, it is almost impossible to adjust the A/F screw properly with various methods being used to include the DJ tool. When you think you have the proper setings you really do not know where you are at. The Honda tool does work (bought one); however, you still have to tear everything down each time you want to adjust the A/F screw. The Hicks screw works well but you still have to tear the bike down if you are running a stock air box. I personally perferred the stock air box which I have modified to let 3" more of air in.

W. "Howard" King
Gretna, VA.
:cheers:

cybrhick
05-18-2008, 11:41 AM
Love it.

robbin40
05-18-2008, 05:08 PM
Appreciate your comment. I Love it too. It makes keeping your bike in tune so much easier especially when you ride in different altitudes as we do. It took a while to figure out what to do about this screw. I simply got fed up with having to tear my bike down so much to accommodate my riding habbits. I like a fine tuned bike. I plan to put one on my wife's bike just as soon as I get the chance.

Marty W
05-18-2008, 07:29 PM
Great write up and idea! thank you for the idea. I am sure that I will be putting that on my bike real soon, as I have the Hicks screw laying here just waiting for me to get around to installing it!:D

jdr2dr
05-18-2008, 08:07 PM
And one more good reason for this site... how do you guys come up with this stuff... I need it too... :hmm2:

Going away for a few days on business and will be back next week... then it is going to be time to order this stuff...

Like the comercial... "You can never have Too Much Good Stuff!"

Jim:choppersm

jdr2dr
05-18-2008, 08:18 PM
Love it.

I was looking at the AF screw by Hicks, does it come with the spring and washer or do you use your old ones?

Jim

robbin40
05-18-2008, 08:39 PM
Everybody keep your old springs, O rings, and washers. To date the Hicks screw does not come with it.

robbin40
05-18-2008, 08:44 PM
Thanks!

jdr2dr
05-18-2008, 08:55 PM
Thanks!

I know this is probably a dumb question --

the Hicks A/F screw is longer than the OEM thus the square head sits outside the housing that the stock D-screw is in...?

Or is it inside like the original? The Hicks screw looks bigger...

Jim

robbin40
05-18-2008, 09:01 PM
No, this is not a dumb question. The Hicks screw is approximately 1 inch longer than the OEM and does sit outside the carburator housing.

cybrhick
05-18-2008, 09:04 PM
The Hicks screw looks bigger...


Well............uh............ thanks for noticing. LOL

jdr2dr
05-18-2008, 10:59 PM
Well............uh............ thanks for noticing. LOL

You must be the Hicks Screw guy.. :) after I get back from my trip I will be ordering one... how long does it take to ship, once ordered?

I am going to need to make this mod...

Jim

BTW sometimes pictures do not say everything... so it is necessary to ask... :hmm2: And I did not see any comparative pictures on your site nor did it mention the length... :stirpot:

cybrhick
05-18-2008, 11:46 PM
You must be the Hicks Screw guy.. :) after I get back from my trip I will be ordering one... how long does it take to ship, once ordered?

I am going to need to make this mod...

Jim

BTW sometimes pictures do not say everything... so it is necessary to ask... :hmm2: And I did not see any comparative pictures on your site nor did it mention the length... :stirpot:


It's just slightly over 1 inch longer than the stock screw. And really, who wouldn't want another inch? Orders ship same day if ordered before 3PM CST. The screw is still adjustable with the stock airbox using a 1/2" socket on a swivel and extention from the left side, but this is a tad easier, and pretty damn cool too. If you have most any aftermarket box, it's pretty easy to reach under the carb by hand and make adjustments.

jdr2dr
05-19-2008, 12:59 AM
It's just slightly over 1 inch longer than the stock screw. And really, who wouldn't want another inch? Orders ship same day if ordered before 3PM CST. The screw is still adjustable with the stock airbox using a 1/2" socket on a swivel and extention from the left side, but this is a tad easier, and pretty damn cool too. If you have most any aftermarket box, it's pretty easy to reach under the carb by hand and make adjustments.

Then you da man -- I'll be in touch after the 30th... when I get home...

Jim:):choppersm

robbin40
05-20-2008, 02:38 PM
I find this mode an excellent solution to the problem of adjusting stock air boxes. However, this mode can be used with aftermarket boxes. The advantage to this mode for aftermarket boxes is that it will allow the rider to adjust the A/F screw while riding the bike. Also marking the knob 2 1/2 turns out at 12 o'oclock will allow you to easily determine where your settings are at any given time. The knob is not easily seen unless you stoop down to look at it (under the air filter box) yet it is very accessable (on approximately a 45 degree angle) to reach. For those interested in a closer look view my bike in my photo gallery. Click on photo twice to enlarge and scroll to the adjuster.

hamph
05-20-2008, 06:29 PM
Ok here's mine. Bought a Long Boy screw from Factory Pro. I had a flex drive carb tool in the shed that I'veused on my old Ford pickup. I ground the head of the screw down to fit into the hex drive on the flex tool. JB welded it into place. I just have to install and determine length and cut flex drive and install an end on it. I'm going to install it this weekend along with my Spyker.2239

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robbin40
05-23-2008, 11:33 PM
Thanks for your posting. Let us know how it works out. I tried the JB weld but I could not get it to hold the screw on any length of time.

hamph
07-28-2008, 11:00 PM
My attachment was removed. Why? Who the heck knows? I'm not trying to make money nor am I trying to take away from hungry mouths. I was just kinda proud of my version of an on the fly a/f screw. So whoever cried good for you. Hamph Attachment 2239 (http://www.vtxcafe.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2239) Click on attachment.

cybrhick
07-29-2008, 09:06 AM
My attachment was removed. Why? Who the heck knows? I'm not trying to make money nor am I trying to take away from hungry mouths. I was just kinda proud of my version of an on the fly a/f screw. So whoever cried good for you. Hamph Attachment 2239 (http://www.vtxcafe.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=2239) Click on attachment.

Might check with Big-X. Not sure how theattachment thing works, but maybe there's a simple answer to what happened. I can't see why anyone would have a reason to "cry" about a write-up.