2000 RSV AIS removal

[Papa Fred]

Realizing in advance that this will be basically a "can of worms" topic, I will proceed with the question...

As I'm starting to get occasional backfires on deceleration, and various sources have suggested the AIS may be the cause, how much of a challenge is it to remove the system?

Pros and cons?

On the one hand, the bike was engineered to run with the system in place. On the other hand the system is in place to decrease emissions, and experience tells us that emission control systems suck.

 

Any input would be welcome, particularly from those out there who have done the modification...results either way.

 

Thanks gang..

Papa Fred

[RDawson]

There are instructions in the read only 2nd gen tech library.

[vzuden]

Realizing in advance that this will be basically a "can of worms" topic, I will proceed with the question...

As I'm starting to get occasional backfires on deceleration, and various sources have suggested the AIS may be the cause, how much of a challenge is it to remove the system?

Pros and cons?

On the one hand, the bike was engineered to run with the system in place. On the other hand the system is in place to decrease emissions, and experience tells us that emission control systems suck.

 

Any input would be welcome, particularly from those out there who have done the modification...results either way.

 

Thanks gang..

Papa Fred

never had to remove or plug one. Check for exhaust leak but syncing carbs should fix it

[Papa Fred]

There are instructions in the read only 2nd gen tech library.

 

Thanks for the reply...that post in the tech library was what I was looking for. I remembered reading it last year but forgot where I saw it..(Old

timers disease). Now I just have to get out in the garage and play.

 

I read in one of the extra threads that the Jason Mod is one way to partially address the issue, but the comment was made that the vacuum hose on the left side is connected to the cruise control. While it would be simple to disconnect the hose then go for a short scoot to test the cruise, do you know anything about this plumbing? I figured I would do the Jason Mod first as it appears to be the simplest, then attack the AIS.

 

Thanks again for the help...

Cheers..Papa Fred

[Freebird]

I've never seen any reports that the Jason Mod helps with your issue. To be honest, I don't think the Jason mod does anything at all.

[videoarizona]

Have to agree. I couldn't detect any change in running with the Jason mod.

 

Look for exhaust leak first.... Extra air will cause popping. Some popping on decel is normal due to lean mixture from factory. Emissions.

[Papa Fred]

Just disabled the AIS following Freebird's Read Only post. Rear pipe was no problem..it took longer to find something to block the pipe / hose than it did to actually do it. When I started on the front system, I discovered that the little air box the front hose is connected to was actually broken away from the bracket that mounts the box to the frame. Presto...instant source of extra air. I pulled the hose of the pipe, plugged it with a small wooden dowel, hose-clamped it tight, then ziptied it to the frame out of the way. Went for a short scoot...no backfires. Period. Sounded a bit more mellow at idle as well.

I then connected the vacuum ports as per the Jason Mod instructions, and will b testing THAT out this evening with regards to performance.. good or ??

I recall someone posting a concern regarding one of the hoses running the cruise. I'll know this evening whether I'm putting in "tees" for that.

 

Thanks to everyone for hints and suggestions. The VentureRider gang is the way to go. If my memory medication holds up, I'll do a Post Trip update.

 

Cheers... Papa Fred.

[Papa Fred]

AIS disable update..

 

My wife and I just returned from a great Saturday afternoon ride with a good friend and his wife(they ride an '03 Midnight Venture). Just under 200 miles, probably 75% highway..2 up..60-65 mph.. 40 mpg US..a hair under 48 mpg Imperial. That was with the AIS hoses plugged, and the vacuum ports connected on Cyls 1-2 and 3-4 (Jason Mod?) Since I bought the bike last year, and before these mods, it has been returning fairly consistent 35-38 mpg US..40-45 Imperial.

 

As I am a male, and therefore don't have the ability to think everything thru before starting a project, I did both mods at the same time. Therefore I can't definitely say which mod did what. BUT.. I CAN say for certain that after plugging the AIS hoses as per Freebird's guidelines (mostly) on the Read Only posting, I started the bike while it was still on the jack. I noticed an immediate improvement in the idle, and better throttle response after the engine warmed up a bit. It also seemed to have a bit throat-ier and smoother idle, which I choose to think was a product of the cracked front air box which I discovered when removing it. Before I did the vacuum hose mod, I went for a short ride to asses what I had done. The motor felt strong thru the gears, but most importantly, no backfires...none...zero. I then did the vacuum port mod. The 2 hoses that connected to cyls 2 and 4 are now not connected to anything. I mentioned in a previous post that I had read of a possible concern with the cruise control being connected to one of those hoses. Don't know for sure if it was, but my cruise still works with the hoses unattached.

 

I should say here that the previous owner, who had the bike from new (2000) til last year when I acquired it, drilled 4 holes into each end cap of the mufflers around the centre baffle hole. He had put small hole plugs into 2 holes in each muffler. This spring when I got the bike out of storage (yeah...we get snow), I put caps into all holes to return the system to close to "stock". It DID make the bike a bit quieter but not quite. A good mechanic I know took a listen to the bike, and concluded that not only had the guy drilled the holes, but quite likely altered the baffles as well. He also detected a "huffing" type of noise at idle which he suspected to be an issue with the emission system. Turns out he was right. As mentioned previously, when I was under the bike blocking the AIS hoses, the front air box was cracked completely off the attaching bracket.

 

I can't speak to the effectiveness, or lack thereof, of the Jason Mod as I understand it. That would involve re-connecting the vacuum hoses to their original spots, and checking the results before and after. That is now a less-than-critical project. Overall I feel, and of course it's only my opinion, that the 1/2 hour or so I spent under the bike tinkering with the AIS was more than worth it.

 

I'll close down with this... to the VentureRiders organization and members who share information and experience... Thank you. It's a lot of fun having a 2-wheeled hot rod.

 

Cheers..

Papa Fred