[jmanwarhammer]

As some of you may know, some time ago I took my bike in to get serviced at the local shop because I felt the idle was inconsistent and it popped far to much for my liking (it was doing this even before I laid it down). Two months and $700 later still no fix.

There were a lot of different theories tossed around but ultimately they said the decel popping and inconsistent sounding idle were due to bent pipes. Now before I go and drop several hundred on a replacement set of Vance and Hines Bigshots I wanted to get the Cafe's suggestions on what could be causing my issues. The only thing Ive done since I bought the bike (used) is to remove the PAIR valve, which helped bring the bike back to where it was before the dealer got a hold of it (it was unbearable driving it home).

As ever Im looking forward to your help and getting my bike where it needs to be atriot:

 

[jstar61]

I would think the only way bent pipes would cause it, is if they are leaking where the pipe connects to the head. You can check for leaks there with some tissue paper.
Have you replaced the exhaust flange gaskets since you laid it down?

 

[The Old Fool]

Buy and install Glens Permanent AF adjustment screw and set it 2 1/2 tuns out from lightly seated.

 

[wayne]

Its not the bent pipes

 

[Bassdude404]

Its not the bent pipes, its a leak

+1...All pipes have bends in them, or they'd be sticking straight out from the heads....Dealer is full of crap, making chit up because his idiot techs can't fix the bike right...

 

[Donut]

Jeremy.
I'd try placing a one or two flat washer behind each acorn nut on the exhaust flange. In the past the acorn nut have been known to bottom out before becoming tight and then causing a leak. Careful not to break the stud off.
This could stop the popping.
Doug

 

[Bassdude404]

I felt the idle was inconsistent and it popped far to much for my liking (it was doing this even before I laid it down). Two months and $700 later still no fix.

Just read this again, and this sentence here says "vacuum leak" to me....:hmm2:

Check all vacuum lines and the band clamps that hold the carb to the engine....When I got back from vacation I was missing BOTH acorns from the rear pipe, and the bike idled perfect, just popped like crazy on decel....

 

[jmanwarhammer]

I apologize for the delayed response, life keeps you busier than youd like sometimes.

Anyway, the work order appears to be:
1) Apply washers with the acorns to ensure seal integrity
2) Check my vacuum lines around the carb
3) Replace exhaust flange gaskets

- I assume acorns are the capped nuts that secure the pipes
- Im not going to lie and say I know anything about the carb and how to check the lines. Is there a guide or a reference I can use?
- No I havent replaced the flanges, how can I tell if I need new ones?

 

[wanderingbear]

Did the stealer do any work on the card, like changing your jets????

 

[Charlie D]

Your problem isn't the damn pipes.

The carb needs a total cleaning and all the clamps tightened properly then maybe replace all the vacuum line.

Carb cleaner 3 bucks
vacuum line 3 bucks
3 or 4 hours of non experienced time to clean the carb
1 hour to button it all up

Countless hours of riding into the sunset

Total bill $6 and what ever amount of beer you drink while building a better bond with you ride.

 

[jmanwarhammer]

Just found a guide to cleaning the carb over on VTXOA, looks extensive. But if I got to do it, I got to do it.

And no to my knowledge the dealer did nothing to the crab or jets.

 

[jmanwarhammer]

I noticed something else recently. It only really pops once the bike is warmed up. I was riding it around campus the other day off a cold start (didnt really run the choke) and it was almost perfect. But once I took it on the highway for a while it would pop or at least try to pop even at idle.

 

[blackdot]

I noticed something else recently. It only really pops once the bike is warmed up. I was riding it around campus the other day off a cold start (didnt really run the choke) and it was almost perfect. But once I took it on the highway for a while it would pop or at least try to pop even at idle.

You said in your first posting that the PAIR valve has been removed. Do you have the proper block-off plates installed? Are you sure that there is no air leaking into the PAIR valve ports on the top of each cylinder head?

 

[mscales]

It all depends on how bent the pipe is. If it is bent bad enough to restrict flow then yes, they could cause the problem. Pinching off a pipe is not good and could cause one cylinder to run hot. I have actually burned a hole in a cylinder wall from a bend pipe that restricted the exhaust and caused exesive heat. But, I really doubt that this is the problem. I would look elsewhere for a exhaust leak like others have pointed out.