Feb 26, 2016

Fuel bottle holder / tooltube for Yamaha Bolt

Tool tube mounted on the Yamaha Bolt frame tube. 
I want to have emergency fuel for longer trips just in case... I haven't been able to come up with a good mounting solution for my square FuelFriend containers so I looked into fuel bottles. Bottles are easy to come by, but mounting them is not that simple. I didn't want any leather contraptions with chrome buckles anywhere near my bike so I needed come up with something else. I had a few tool tubes laying around from my adventure riding days, but I needed to figure out how to mount one on the bike.  I also wanted something that would not be totally unsightly and preferably easily removable. It's not like I need emergency fuel 99% of the time...

After some searching I found boat fender rack mounts that happened to come in two sizes. The lager 32 mm version was perfect for the frame tube.

I would have preferred to mount the tube lower on the frame tubes, but engine mounting brackets and such came on the way. I also tried to mount the tube horizontally, but the frame tube width and the mounting tabs on the tool tube don't match for that to work. The engine brackets are also again in the way.

The tool tube looks to be very close, almost touching,  to the engine, but in reality it's not.

I used 32mm plastic mounts that are originally intended for attaching fender racks to boat railings. left out the thin square bit.
Note a slot for a hex nut on the non-curved part. It allows for nifty and clean mounting of the tube.

NOTE: Google for "Nawa 32mm connector" if you want to buy the exact same mounting hardware.
The mount. The bottle mounts at the center hole.

Not pretty, but not totally horrible either.
The tool tube attaches to the mount with a single bolt.





For more information on tooltubes, go to : http://www.thetooltube.com/
(I have no affiliation with them)



Feb 20, 2016

The great fuel controller debate



** DISLCAIMER: I'm just thinking out loud here. I have no knowledge with engines. **

The traditional wisdom is that

a) modern engines run relatively lean from the factory due to emissions standards
b) installing aftermarket parts that allow for more airflow will make the engine run even leaner


When reading various motorcycle forums you will usually find a lot of people saying that if you will change only one (either exhaust or air filter) to a "performance" model you will be fine, but if you do both the engine will run too lean and suffer damages. For the record, this has been my understanding too.


The thinking behind this is that:
a) changing only one will still allow the ECU to adjust the fuel mixture enough to prevent the engine from running lean
b) changing both will be such a big change, that the ECU will not be able to adjust to the changes

Supposedly, and according to traditional wisdom, a fuel controller will:
a) prevent the engine from running too lean
b) prevent backfiring (that is caused by a lean running engine)
c) improve horsepower by adding more fuel
d) improve handling by removing some of the twitchyness present on many modern motorcycles (especially at low speeds)

HOWEVER...

I have recently read several writings by apparently educated and professional people saying that the traditional wisdom is not correct.

The claim is, as shocking as it sounds, as follows: the Bolt (and similar engines) WILL NOT run any leaner regardless of aftermarket pipes or air cleaners.

Why?
Because while the FLOW of the air to the engine (by using a performance air filter) is indeed increased, the VOLUME of the air is NOT. In other words,all you are doing is changing how FAST the air enters and leaves the engine, not how MUCH air is entering.  Therefor the fuel mixture remains unchanged. This is an acceptable theory to me, because the stock air filter is not restrictive enough that it would actually deprive air from the engine.  In other words, the engine is filling to maximum cylinder capacity on each intake stroke.

Turbochargers are the only way to cram more air into the engine than the capacity of the engine allows when the air is unpressurized.

When I first heard this a few questions came to mind and I found the answers to them:
a) But free flowing intakes are PROVEN to give more horsepower! How do you explain this?
-- The horsepower increases are the result of the engine working easier with a less restrictive intake. Not because added air.
b) What about the popping with aftermarket pipes? It went away with a fuel controller!
-- The popping most likely was there all the time, but became audible when the aftermarket pipe was installed. FC corrected the engine running slightly lean and thus eliminated popping. In other words, the engine did not become any leaner by installing an aftermarket pipe

Now what does this all mean?
If you buy into the new wisdom it means that you don't need a FC on a Bolt because you have changed the exhaust and/or intake

HOWEVER:
a) a fuel controller CAN help with a twitchy throttle*
b) a fuel controller CAN reduce exhaust popping (commonly during deceleration)
c) a fuel controller CAN produce more horsepower

* the twitchyness is often a result of the ECU programmed to meet emissions standards. What happens is that the ECU cuts off the fuel too aprubtly especially at low speeds. This in turn leans to an ON/ OFF type throttle response.

Whats the truth?

I have no idea, but looking at THIS makes me think that maybe there is some truth to the new wisdom at least when EU bikes are concerned.

Custom parts for your Bolt / XV950

a Low & Mean creation
There are two companies (that I know of) that are giving the Bolt the love and attention it deserves. The first SS Custom Cycles located in upstate New York and the other is Low & Mean customs located in Lake Havasu Arizona. Both of these companies have come up with a wide selection of custom parts especially designed for the Bolt.

From SS Custom Cycles you can get (among other things):
"BKB" Toe-Cutter Front Pegs
- a wide selection of custom intakes
Bolt Bullet Fairing
- 4.5" forward controls
Bare Knuckle Bobber Fender
- Bolt Chin Scoop
SS-Hugger front fender
Bolt Suspension kits
Speedo Relocation Bracket
- Rigid struts

From Low & Mean you can get (among other things):
- low rider seat
- chin fairing
- shorty rear fender
- lowering brackets
- performance air systems
- 9" forward controls
- air suspension

* I have no affiliation with either of the companies and I get zero money if you click the links or buy something from them. (Check the link, if you don't believe me. Plain and simple url link with no tags or codes)

Feb 17, 2016

Not spring yet


Took the bike for some fresh air today. Too much ice for riding though.

Feb 12, 2016

Yamaha Bolt tank decal


I really really have issues with the fugly Yamaha logo on the tank. I've been trying to come up with a sticker design to cover it up, but I just can't seem to make a design that I really like.


Something understated would work best...maybe. It's annoying that the sticker has to be big enough to cover the Yamaha text. The round one, for example, would be much better if it could be smaller.

Feb 9, 2016

Puig Custom II wind screen for Yamaha Bolt




I searched for a screen for a good while before deciding on a Puig Custom II. It certainly doesn't improve the looks of the bike, but I'm planning on mounting it only for longer trips. The cost is around $100 which is good value in my opinion. The Yamaha screen is going for a lot more. 

Installation, while simple, was a bit of a chore. It was hard to get everything lined up straight when working alone and I'm not entirely happy with it yet. I feared that the 5.5." risers might result in the screen mounts not fitting the bike, but there was no problem in the end. The inverted mirrors and screen mounts mean that I'm running out of real estate on the bars though.


Puig custom II package contents

The attachment to the screen (plastic cover removed)

The attachment to the bars (plastic cover removed)

Attached to bars

Add caption

Installation instructions

UPDATE [May 4th, 2016]
I thought that the screen would really work, but after riding back to back with my bike and a Sportster without a screen... I took my screen off. Clean air, without buffeting is just so much more pleasant even if it means some added wind pressure.