Overcoming E10 (Ethanol Gas)

[pmackie]

Hey Sven

Installing a jet kit is really not that hard. The hardest part (on the B6 and I'm told the B12 as well) is usually removing the float bowl screws, which can be a real bugger! Make sure you've got a good screwdriver. And then reinstalling the throttle cables at the end is a real pain as well.

Anyway, based on the feedback I've seen here, the best kits to consider are either the Holeshot or Ivan's kit. Ivan's kit comes with new needles, which can open up some additional tuning options (and complexity), whereas Holeshot uses shims on the stock needles. For use with the stock airbox/filter and a slip-on can, either will work just fine. Both come with instructions and tuning suggestions.

You will find some addtional power, especially in the mid range, and warm up with the choke will be greatly reduced.

Just take your time, and follow the instructions, and you will likely be fine...(after cussing the throttle cable reinstall!!)

[Sven]

Installing a jet kit is really not that hard...Just take your time, and follow the instructions, and you will likely be fine...(after cussing the throttle cable reinstall!!)

I will most likely save this for a deep winter (late Jan/early Feb) visit to the repair shoppe and have them do it along with other stuff.  But then, you never know...if I can get someone to help me, I might tackle it myself.

[txbanditrydr]

OK... here's a little follow up post jetkit/pipe install.  The power delivery was very noticeable after the pipe was installed.  Overall, things were a lot smoother running and the idle hiccup (lean sneeze?) largely disappeared.  The bike can now idle at 1,100 rpm where as before it needed to be around 1,400 rpm to be stable.

What really surprised me was the mileage figures... they shot (IMHO) way up - nearly 10% better than before.  I was fully prepared to sacrifice a couple of MPG's for the increased power and was just astounded on the increased mileage.  Actual numbers were 40 mpg before and a very consistent 43-45 mpg after... no matter how hard I romp on it.  A couple of tanks were over 47, also had one range test of 218 miles on a single fill-up with .7 gallons left.  Pretty incredible.

The only downside at the moment is increased rear tire wear - I can't seem to keep that throttle hand in check.   

I chose a kit based on a lot of different feedback that centered on the "plug-n-play" capability of that particular kit.  While I can't vouch for anyone else's efforts I only had to do this one time using the "baseline" settings provided by the kit manufacturer.  I know it's not perfect - there's a bit of a flat spot at certain rpm's but thing are running so much better I haven't felt the need to tweak it... too busy riding (nearly 5,000 miles since the kit install).   

I hope to put a report together later in the month but the weather has been fantastic and I'll save that for a rainy day. 

[B6mick]

Hey Sven

Installing a jet kit is really not that hard. The hardest part (on the B6 and I'm told the B12 as well) is usually removing the float bowl screws, which can be a real bugger! Make sure you've got a good screwdriver. And then reinstalling the throttle cables at the end is a real pain as well.

Indeed, they can be a bugger, a good set of small vice grips does the job, and if you go the Factory Pro, kits they even supply new allen key bolts to replace the factory phillips heads.

[txbanditrydr]

Indeed, they can be a bugger, a good set of small vice grips does the job....

Tru' dat.... I managed 15 out of 16 with a good fitting screwdriver.  Just ever so slightly buggered one up and even the impact wouldn't work.  I ended up buying a pair of needle nose vice grips (great excuse to buy a tool) and it came right off.  Of course, had I been patient like all the others I wouldn't have needed to make the trip.   

[PitterB4]

On my Kawi, I got to the point where I was starting with the needle nosed Vise Grips (why do they use such CRAP screws!?!?!?).  Worked like a charm.  Next time I take the bowls off, I'll buy the allen heads in advance...

[Red01]

and if you go the Factory Pro, kits they even supply new allen key bolts to replace the factory phillips heads.

Holeshot does, too.

The Japanese have a slightly different standard (JIS 4633B-3/1991) for Phillips head screws, which contributes to them being difficult if the correct tool isn't used.  An SAE or European Phillips driver has a pointier tip than a JIS one, so the tip of a non-JIS driver will bottom out in the screw and not come into full contact with the screw... much like trying to use a Reed & Prince screwdriver in an SAE Phillips screw.  If you have a JIS Phillips driver, the incidence of damaged screws is much less.

[txbanditrydr]

I will most likely save this for a deep winter (late Jan/early Feb) visit to the repair shoppe and have them do it along with other stuff.  But then, you never know...if I can get someone to help me, I might tackle it myself.

Sven.... check your P/M's and email.  I sent you a P/M but your ISP kicked it back.  Just wondering if you got the main email. 

[Sven]

Sven.... check your P/M's and email.  I sent you a P/M but your ISP kicked it back.  Just wondering if you got the main email.

Oh yeah, I got it fine, wonder why you were notified otherwise.  Anyway, I am in awe of the top-qaulity job y'all did on the document!  Much appreciated!

[txbanditrydr]

Oh yeah, I got it fine, wonder why you were notified otherwise. 

The automatic email notification sent out by B/A was rejected by your ISP and Stormi let me know.

Glad you got the attachment and thanks for the kind words.

[txbanditrydr]

Well... between some great riding weather, actually assembling the photos with text, getting some peer review and a little help hosting I finally finished my jet kit install guide (4 months after the fact).  It's posted up HERE FOR MEMBERS ONLY. 

Sorry for the "hidden" areas - that's a result of discussions with the manufacturer and honoring his request to protect proprietary information.  Hope it helps someone - there aren't very many stock B12's anymore.   

[pmackie]

Great job guys!!!

  Thanks to Tx and Terrebandit. - Job well done. 

Some great instructions here on how to remove the carbs from your B12. The process is substantially the same for the 2nd gen B6 as well.

[Dave 02 1200]

My E-10 problems disappeared when I went up another jet size and added two shims to my needles.

Now the bike runs great, maybe even better than on straight gas with the old set-up.

Try it.  You will like it!

I think that E-10 has a higher oxygen content and causes the bike to run leaner than on straight gas but, when corrected with bigger jets, all is well.

[banditone1250s]

  You know I get that "lean popping' now myself and I just attributed it to the Two Brothers exhaust that I put on it because it started about that time, but with that being said, I think there could something to that alcohol thing in the fuel. I do know that I did a little research when I first got my bike and the manufacturers recommend that you "do not use" alcohol in the Bandit fuel. Some thing about the fact that it wears on seals and stuff like that. It also seems like to me that the alcohol "stickers" at the pump are a fairly recent thing too. Oh well maybe some of us in here can get our heads together and figure out a way around it or some thing...Banditone1250s...

  There is a thin line between fear and respect...Feel free to drift across it every now and then...