Hello, again!

I'm sorry for not being very active in this thread lately, the reason for that lies both in how my bike has been running, and what to do with the carb settings.

OK, if you guys remember, my last setup included two 125 main jets, two N96J needles with one washer. The problem was that the bike never really ran THAT great. Sure, there barely were any stumbles (too rich), and it ran VERY good at WOT, but I didn't want to recommend the settings to anyone, since it wasn't "perfect".

OK, so what will I do to fix this?
Well, I've ordered two 130 main jets and two N36N needles, the same setup as the GPZ 500 carbs. That will most likely take care of the problems, but I'll inform you guys as soon as possible, if there's still any interest about this! I will probably wait some weeks to a month before I do the change, since there's still snow everywhere! :P

(and yeah, I know all these needle changes aren't that cheap, so no need to mention that!)

Regards,
Mollrik

edit: I tried to answer your questions in your other thread, Mendelmax

Hi there

From my last post I have changed my settings as follows: Main jets, #100 and #98 left and right respectively. Back to N60D needles with no shimming at all and the small snorkel with one 16mm hole in air box. Air screw at one and three quarter turns out. I have opted for "milder" settings as I was getting horendous fuel economy of 18 km/l on a city commute. I am now getting 21.25 km/l. The bike pulls nice and throttle responce seems crisp. Yes, I can go for the other set-up, with better performance, but the trade off seems OK. I was getting 13 km/l (140 km/h) doing high speed touring!
BTW, do you have some sort of chart that explains the various keihin needles, taper and length etc. eg. N96J vs N60D. I cant seem to find anything. It will help when selecting a needle.

Hey hey!

Whoa, 13km/l on speed touring!? That's...insane! Maybe your bike was running way rich, because I've never reached such low numbers on my KLE 500, but yeah...your bike will probably get a better mileage with those main jets anyway, so if you are happy with your current setup, then go for that!

About the jet needles! Nope, haven't found a chart about the keihin needles, have been trying to get one for a long time, but gave up!

I can also keep you updated about the mileage from my bike with the new carb settings, if you like, but yeah...I'm sure they wont be as good as yours!

Regards,
Mollrik

Hi All

Thanks for all the jetting information from your real world testing! Let me introduce myself: I'm a South African living happily in Scotland, and enjoying the lovely country roads here.

I've been through all of the post to help me in deciding what jets to order for my bike, a 98 KLE 500 A7. Firstly I installed a K&N air filter and the larger air intake snorkel which I managed to get from a scrap dealer on ebay. This larger snorkel made the bike hesitate hugely from 1/4 to 3/4 throttle even when accelerating slightly. So, off with the snorkel then.

I decided to order the N96J needles, and a 112 and 110 jet to work with the larger snorkel. Since then, I've chopped off the standard silencer, and mounted a 2010 KTM SXF silencer (sounds really good! 33mm outlet as opposed to 22mm standard) - this doesnt have any adverse affects with the standard jetting and small snorkel.

So, with just the K&N filter, KTM end can, and 17/46 gearing, I got over 53mpg (19km/l) yesterday on a country ride averaging about 40mph (some fast 85mph, some slow single lane)

I'll let you know how I get on when I receive the jets and refit the large snorkel. I don't really wan't to start drilling any holes, so hope that I can get the jetting right without huge increase in fuel consumption (I commute 74 miles a day).

Thanks again for all the useful info, especially mollrik and spye.

Cheers.

Hey there.

No problemo. As I mentioned before a lot of fiddling and faffing, but I've seemed to have got it where I want it now especialy since a barel of Saudi Arabia's finest is is going through the roof. Did a trip up to Baviaanskloof/Swartberg Pass last week, lots of gravel travel and the bike went like a dream.

Why dont you see my latest set-up. My previous post.

hi spye

Thanks for that. I re-read your last thread and see that you removed the shims (somehow didn't notice that the last few times I read it). My reasoning for going for the bigger jets and not a similar setup to yours was that I don't have any catalytic converters restricting my exhaust (I'm assuming you still have 1 or 2, even with a different silencer??) I may well end up with a similar setup to you in the end though. Yes, I am stubborn! I'll let you know how I get on. Will I manage to change jets and needles without removing carbs?

Glad you're enjoying your kle. I'm realising what an underrated bike it is. I've just redone my seat on the weekend (nice and high, flat and stiffer), and it's running like a dream - almost hesitant to change jets and snorkel.

Swartberg pass is beautiful - unfortunately never done it on a bike. No dirt roads here unfortunately, but plenty beautiful little tar roads. A friend and I are planning a 600km ride on Saturday from Aberdeen to Fort William on the west coast.

Cheers, will keep in touch.