Unplugging the AIS

[Hog Buyer]

I have an 09 RSTD. With about 1000 miles on it, I started noticing the exhaust popping when decelerating and with information gained from this site, I plugged the AIS with stoppers. This solved the popping issue.

Now, with about 3500 miles on the bike I want to sync the carbs. Do I need to unplug the AIS or can I just sync with the stoppers in place? Bike seems to be running fine just has never had the carbs checked.

 

Thanks in advance for the advice.

 

John

[Freebird]

No, you do not have to remove the plugs. It has no affect on the syncing process.

[Marcarl]

Undoing the AICS will have no bearing on a carb sync. Doing a carb sync checks and balances the vacuum in the intake manifold, below the butterfly valves, or maybe better described as the accelerator butterfly. If the ACIS is leaking and plugged into the system them that will cause problems, but if it's not plugged in then there will be no effect on the carb sync.

[kevin-vic-b.c.]

I disconnected my AIS, I believe disconnecting it when you have a popping in the exhaust will only accomplish masking the cause. It is just my opinion.......

Find what is causing the problem, be it valve adjust or carbs or exhaust leak.

Disconnecting mine definitely helped with the mass explosions in the exhaust but did not "fix" the issue.

[tz89]

The issue is the manufacturer trying to comply with EPA regs.

 

Once your warranty period is over, or as you see fit, you can make the change.

 

We don't have to worry about ending up with blue exhaust pipes but other bikes do.

 

They are supposed to be INTERNAL combustion engines, not external, after all.

[MikeWa]

09 might still be under warranty. So why not just let the dealer fix it?

Mike

[V7Goose]

The issue is the manufacturer trying to comply with EPA regs.

 

Once your warranty period is over, or as you see fit, you can make the change.

 

We don't have to worry about ending up with blue exhaust pipes but other bikes do.

 

They are supposed to be INTERNAL combustion engines, not external, after all.

This is not correct. The 2nd gen bikes will absolutely NOT pop or bang on decel unless there is something wrong with them.

 

Each owner gets to make their own choice to either put their head in the sand or actually fix their bike. I personally do not think it is ever intelligent to just hide the problem instead of finding and fixing it.

 

The purpose of the AIS is simply to reduce unburned fuel in the exhaust. It has ZERO impact on engine power or performance, but it DOES help you know when something is going out of whack with your combustion process simply because the increasing unburned fuel in the header pipes begins to explode instead of burning smoothly. Even if you do not care about causing unnecessary pollution, one SHOULD care about knowing if their bike is running properly.

Goose

[tz89]

Listen to what Goose says, I sure do.

 

I think we are saying similar things from different angles. The AIS adds air to aid burn off of un-ignited fuel which helps a bike meet tail pipe emissions regs.

 

This should not be an issue on a mechanically sound bike being operated in an optimal way under optimal conditions.

 

What I am suggesting is that many of us often do not ride optimally in optimal conditions, including sub-optimal fuel, climate, altitude and in the most EPA and DOT pleasing manner. Somethings that's the point. AIS lets us know with noise and hot pipes that things are, well, sub-optimal.

 

It is a good thing to know when there is a mechanical problem. Maybe the bike needs to be tuned to actual conditions. Electronic ignition mapping is a factor. Cars and bikes are designed to meet regs as they are tested, and perhaps less so the way they are really driven and ridden. And it is a good thing to have a forum to find out which is which.

 

Best $12 ever!

Edited July 11, 2013 by tz89