Say no to chrome

Continued with the pointless tinkering and blacked out some chrome bits with vinyl wrap.

Yamaha Bolt modded airbox

Yamaha Bolt modified intake

 First, there is absolutely no point in doing this. In theory there is more airflow to the airbox, but I don't think it's going to make any kind of difference in real life. I just had to tinker with something to pass the time while I wait for the spring to arrive.

Ad for the mod, I drilled 3 10 mm holes and added rubber grommets to make it look a little nicer. Word of warning here: The plastic material will chip if you drill too casually with a large (10 mm) drill bit. Don't ask how I know...

Yamaha Bolt airbox modified

Yamaha Bolt aftermarket intake / air cleaner options

The way I see it there are three reasons to go for aftermarket intake for the Bolt.

1. Performance
Unlike many mods, a free flowing intake will likely give you a few more horses. Not enough to justify the cost IMO, but still.

2. Leg room
The Bolt stock airbox is rather large and replacing it with a more compact one will likely improve comfort on the bike.

3. Looks
The stock box isn't the prettiest part of the bike. Installing an aftermarket one will make a big impact on the looks if that is important to you.

The available options, that I have come across:

K&N RK-3940

K&N RK-3940

MSRP: $ 169
More: http://www.knfilters.com/search/product.aspx?prod=RK-3940

TWO BROTHERS Comp-V High-Flow Intake System with V-Stack

Two Brothers Comp-V

MSRP: $499
More: http://www.twobros.com/sku/034-369-01-V

ROLAND SANDS SLANTED INTAKE

RSD Carbon slant

Seen on Yamaha promo shots of the C-Spec. RSD website doesn't actually list this intake for the bolt though. It's available for a H-D Sporster.

MSRP: $ 470
More: http://www.rolandsands.com/product/308/rsd-slant-carbon-fiber-intake-kit/carbon-ops

COBRA POWRFLO INTAKE FOR YAMAHA BOLT

Cobra Powrflo

MSRP: $330

More: http://www.cobrausa.com/yamaha/bolt_14_16/motorcycle_accessories/powrflo_air_intake_systems/powrflo_air_intake_system_black/06-0267B/

COBRA ROUND INTAKES

Cobra round

MSRP: $250
More: http://www.cobrausa.com/yamaha/bolt_14_16/motorcycle_accessories/powrflo_air_intake_systems/

D&D RACING TWINTUNE

D&D Twintune

MSRP: $299

More: https://ddracing.stores.dealerspike.com/product.aspx?zpid=5827505

LOW & MEAN DUAL BARREL

Low & Mean Dual Barrel

MSRP: $200

More: http://www.lowandmean.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypagelm.tpl&product_id=330&category_id=168&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=60

LOW & MEAN SPIKE AIR CLEANER

Low & Mean spike

MSRP: $200
More: http://www.lowandmean.com/index.php?page=shop.product_details&flypage=flypagelm.tpl&product_id=293&category_id=168&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=60

VANCE & HINES VO2 NAKED AIR INTAKE KIT

Vance & Hines VO2

MSRP: $160
More: http://products.vanceandhines.com/store/yamaha/71023/

SSCC AIRSTREAM

SSCC Airstream

MSRP: $269
More: https://sscustom.startlogic.com/products/engine/Yamaha/Bolt.shtml

SSCC "SKULL"

SSCC Skull

MSRP: $???
More: not yet available at SSCC website

SSCC "SPIKE"

SSCC Spike

MSRP: $339
More: not yet available at SSCC website

SSCC KING

SSCC King

MSRP: $???
More: not yet available at SSCC website

SSCC HARDTIMES

SSCC Hardtimes

MSRP: $169
More: https://sscustom.startlogic.com/products/engine/Yamaha/Bolt.shtml

SSCC BILLY BOB

SSCC  Billy Bob

MSRP: $199
More: https://sscustom.startlogic.com/products/engine/Yamaha/Bolt.shtml

KURYAKYN HYPERCHARGER

Kuryakyn Hypercharger

MSRP: $290
More: http://www.kuryakyn.com/products/4995/standard-hypercharger8482

KURYAKYN ALLEY CAT

Kuryakyn Alley Cat

MSRP: $309
More: http://www.kuryakyn.com/products/4998/alley-cat-air-cleaner

Yamaha Bolt tank decal II

Yamaha Bolt tank decal options, part II

Still not happy

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)

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)