Posted by Hackster on August 14, 2000 at 15:32:25:
Did both at the same time since I didn't want to pull and re-mount the tank twice, so I can't really comment on how much each change affected the performance-- let's just say that the bike's a lot stronger on the top end now (I'd suspect the spacer removal is the main factor). Got up to 90 on the I late Saturday night; I think that's probably my bike's limit as-is, which is a lot faster than I need to be going, so I'm pretty satisfied. The top end's really "opened up".
One slight negative side effect. I find that now, until the bike's fully warmed up, the engine will stall if I snap the throttle up quickly in neutral. Also, coming out of a stop, I have to rev up a ways before engaging the clutch or it'll stall; before, I could wait until the clutch lever was almost all the way out before rolling up the throttle. (I don't like high-rev take-offs.) I've started using the choke for the first few minutes until the motor's warm, and that works pretty well. Funny thing is, this happens regardless of the low speed mix screw setting. I gapped the Splitfire carefully according to the mfr's rec, so I dunno what to think. Any ideas? Anyway, overall, it's a performance increase, so that's a good thing.
Also, the Metzeler Marathon rear tire is *great*... expensive, but worth it, IMO.
Keep the hairy side up,
John