oldfaithful

Thanks for the suggestions. Good ideas, and a vacuum leak is a likely candidate. Before I go thru all the effort to replace the manifolds, has anyone else had a problem like this and found the manifolds to be the source...or cure? Thanks!

If this has been asked already, I'm sorry. I searched and didn't run across this particular question. I have an 84 VXVZ12, and after a year of working on the bike it's running pretty well. The problem is that I can sync the carbs and it will purr like a kitten, but after a couple days of spirited riding it's running a little bit rough. Not enough to suspect anything new, so I just sync it again. Then the cycle repeats. Any ideas why? Anyone else have this issue?

I must admit that this is a topic that I've studied, discussed, researched and argued for years...yet still I'm mystified. I'm beginning to wonder if indeed there might be a conspiracy to push us out of our automobiles by driving up the cost per mile! Nontheless, all of the reasons given by previous contributors are certainly valid and combined might bring theory in line with experience. Years ago I owned an 86 Escort GT, and it regularly got 45 mpg. I liked it so much that after being totaled by a malicious semi driver, I bought another one just like it. That one only got 42 mpg, but I still happily drove it into the ground. That vehicle was designed & built over 26 years ago, yet you are hard pressed to buy a car today that will beat its fuel economy! It would accelerate with traffic (but just barely), had "adequate" seating for my 6'2" frame (Tho much improved by unbolting the driver's seat, welding in more support material, drilling new holes, and moving the seat back several inches!) and was much cheaper to purchase than any flex fuel, hybrid, electric or combination thereof. Interestingly enough, my 84 XVZ12 has only shown a best of 42 mpg...but even when I try, I can't stay out of the throttle!

I have had my 84 for just over a year now, and it's always had a slight sound that I've found annoying. I only noticed it at idle, but then I probably wouldn't notice it at an RPM or a speed much above that. I would guess it's what other members have been calling the Jetson car sound...sure seemed like that to me. Well I've finally traced mine down to the YICS system. I guess that after exhausting other possibilities, it just became necessary to check. I tried spraying the system, but never noticed any change in sound or rpm. So I pulled off the YICS chamber(s) and plugged all of the ports/hoses on the engine...and the sound has gone away! I submerged the YICS chamber(s) and found a tiny, tiny leak at the seam on one of the chambers. It still seemed to hold vacuum pretty well, but under pressure there was 1 bubble escaping every couple of seconds. Just thought I'd share what I'd found, since it seems a pretty common malady. The Jetson car sound is gone...but now I can hear the clutch!

My opinion is that one should double check the tire's ratings before buying...and remember to consider your riding habits. I've recently learned that one the hard way! According to their website, the 140/90-16 rear Kenda Kruz is rated for 908 lbf at 40 psig and the 120/90-18 front is rated for 761 lbf at 40 psig. Neither one had a published speed rating, but their weight ratings are better than those of the Dunlop D404s I've got on my 84 Std...at least for now!

Wow, it seems like we ALL have to deal with it eventually! Though I've run into a lot of road rage in my cage, I rarely have this problem when riding my 1st Gen. If someone gets closer than I like, I just twist the throttle until they disappear from vision and memory.

That is amazing! Honestly I'm shocked to find that he is on the national scene, given the anti-gun bias of much of our culture. I say we give him a medal:clap2:!!! However, I do agree with those who suggest Grandpa get some range time, and I would add...a bigger gun! Remember, "Gun control" means being able to hit what you're aiming at!