pilot screw

[aphampton628]

Been a while since I've been here. I hope someone can help me out. What is the improved setting for the pilot screw? Haven't ridden much in the last few years and the bike is very hard starting. I am attempting to clean the carb. in place using a 16 to 1 mix of gas and seafoam in the carb. bowl. I am agitating the mix for 5 min. daily foe a week using an orbital sander configured to vibrate the carb. bowl. I hope it works. I'll let you know. Thanks for any assistance. Alan

[Ian Francisco]

I think the FAQ or one of the established KLR sites has a paragraph or two stating that spending time and money to get better breathing and fueling, ie, more power from a KLR engine is kind of a waste. To boost rear wheel horsepower by maybe 3-5 bhp means giving up a whole lot of fuel economy and range. The consensus seems to be that the money is much better spent on suspension and braking upgrades. If you want a super-rip-snorting big single there are better choices of platform to begin with (KTM, ATK, Rotax engines etc.) But if ya got a KLR and want more power, well, it's your money. The Schnitz kits are probably the way to go along with the jetting and breathing. My A14 has almost 46k miles on it. Stock carb, jets, and airbox, Uni filter and slightly de-tweeted. I can get 55 mpg going 55-60mph down back roads and 50 mpg with mixed riding (town and interstate). I think the pre-08 KLR is perfect in a imperfect ugly sort of way. It does what it's supposed to do and has been anvil reliable once the DPO blunders were sorted. If I get the urge to go any faster I hop on a different bike. I paid $4.50 per gallon tonight. I'm thinking about getting a Thermo-Bob to regain the 3-4 mpg I lose in colder weather. I really enjoy having heated grips this time of year. -- ian http://www.scarletfuries.com http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Scarlet-Furies/121218125931 [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[Monty]

<> Well said Ian. The KLR can be made into almost anything. One of the most utilitarian and versatile bikes ever. Just makes me wonder what could have been if Kaw put some serious $ behind R&D to develop it? Looking at a few of their hi-tech bikes you can't help but feel we're riding the red headed step child. But, I digress. It is what it is and it works for me. Like you Ian, riding a stock engine KLR (just shimmed the needle jet and opened air screw) the thing runs forever between fill-ups. Best part of riding in the desert is playing role of KC135 for my friends. Even if they're riding some radical dual sport they never leave me.......;-D [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]