Author Topic: Jetting for Altitude  (Read 5128 times)

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Steve B

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Jetting for Altitude
« on: August 10, 2006, 10:57:05 AM »
Hi,

I've got a stock '69 CB750 with airbox. It runs very nicely and pulls strong with #120 main jets here at home, elevation about 1000' above sea level.

Next month, I'm trailering it to Utah and then doing some riding. Will be at about 4500' elevation.

Please & thank you: can any Western riders advise me on how much to lean it out? Any other changes besides the main jetting required?

Steve
Dundas, Ontario, Canada

Offline super pasty white guy

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #1 on: August 10, 2006, 12:21:11 PM »
You might want to check out this post by Hondaman:
http://www.sohc4.us/forums/index.php?topic=7295.msg67370#msg67370

He's in Colorado at about 5,500-6,000 ft range, I think.

Dave
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Steve B

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2006, 12:04:48 PM »
Thanks Dave.

I learned a bunch. Am still interested about hearing from others, too.

Take care, Steve

Offline kaceyf2

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2006, 02:31:37 PM »
Hya there bro, as an extreme example to make things simple, the higher you go up the thinner the air becomes, therefore,what you are getting is less air.......just like when you got your choke on....your getting a rich mixture, but of course if your bike was set up Ok at normal altitude,you could not run for long with your choke on could you? It would start to spit and pop and run like a pig and stop, and wouldnt start till it was cold again!!
So, at altitude you got less air in effect, but its a lot harder to get more air in to make the mixture right, then to lessen the fuel? yes? so, take with you a couple or three sets of jets(there cheap as chips) that are varying grades smaller then what you are running at the moment..........try a size down whenyou get there and go from there........
remember, that as you are reducing the fuel to match the lack of air, you WILL also have to raise the tickover to compensate.......Its the correction of "mixture" thats important........
As with all jet changing/tuning operations, you start by using the jets that make it pull the hardest at "wot"  ( wide open throttle)    settings without bogging as the first step in jet choice, But, that is only the first step in a greater procedure.........If you are interested in the whole procedure, i can mail you the details, it takes up too much room here!!!
good luck, and enjoy the change of scenery!

In my own experience...
It wasn't a Previous Owner who didnt know what he was doing that messed up your bike, it was The Previous owners mate who THOUGHT that HE did.

Steve B

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #4 on: August 12, 2006, 07:50:06 AM »
Thank you.

I understand the theory, but would like to read the jet sizes and other settings that mountain riders are actually using today.

Trying not to reinvent the wheel. I'd like to ready the bike here, get there, and just ride!  :)

Steve

Offline cb650

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #5 on: August 12, 2006, 08:34:44 AM »
If your only visiting why bother?     If it makes you feel better drop 2 sizes and call it good.  Unless your trying to get every tenth out of it.




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18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline paulages

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #6 on: August 12, 2006, 08:43:55 AM »
i misread your topic, and thought is said "jetting for attitude;D ;D thought maybe i could help. oh well...
paul
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1974 CB550 (735cc)
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #7 on: August 12, 2006, 09:27:15 AM »
There's really no need to re-jet just for a temporary 3,500 ft. altutude change.  You might want to tweak the idle mixture screws a bit if you feel like it, but that's about it.  I regularly ride my K1 anywhere from 4,000 to 9,000 feet higher than my home altutude without any changes needed.   

Steve B

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #8 on: August 12, 2006, 09:43:42 AM »
Okay. Thanks everybody!

Steve

Offline Gordon

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #9 on: August 12, 2006, 09:59:34 AM »
Enjoy your trip? :)

Offline cb650

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #10 on: August 12, 2006, 12:14:49 PM »
Enjoy your trip? :)
But do you use "hi altitude" fuses? ;D :D




                     Terry
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline Gordon

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #11 on: August 12, 2006, 12:22:03 PM »
Dang it!  I had just managed to forget about that incident, and there you go reminding me of it again! :P ;D

Offline cb650

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #12 on: August 12, 2006, 12:27:42 PM »
I only said something cause now mine is doing it.  Hasnt in a week or so. 




                 Terry
18 grand and 18 miles dont make you a biker

Offline Gordon

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #13 on: August 12, 2006, 12:30:48 PM »
I only said something cause now mine is doing it.  Hasnt in a week or so. 

Same with mine, haven't had a problem since that ride.  I guess it was just that fuse's time... :'(

Offline Lumbee

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2006, 06:25:53 PM »
Quote
There's really no need to re-jet just for a temporary 3,500 ft. altutude change.  You might want to tweak the idle mixture screws a bit if you feel like it, but that's about it.  I regularly ride my K1 anywhere from 4,000 to 9,000 feet higher than my home altutude without any changes needed.   

..this is what I was wondering.  I'm pondering a trip out west, and was wondering if I don't rejet will I foul plugs if I'm just passing through...
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Offline Gordon

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #15 on: August 12, 2006, 06:32:12 PM »
..this is what I was wondering.  I'm pondering a trip out west, and was wondering if I don't rejet will I foul plugs if I'm just passing through...

When I first moved to Denver from near sea level, it took about a week of riding around for my plugs to foul out with the stock jetting.  That was entirely city driving with lots of idling, it didn't have any problems out on the highway.  The only change I've made since then was drop down a size on the idle jet, so as long as you're just passing through mostly on the highway, you should be fine with no changes. 

Offline Lumbee

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #16 on: August 12, 2006, 06:37:09 PM »
...good info Gordon...thanx...was wondering if I was gonna have to bypass Colorado on Utah if I rode out there...   ::)
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Offline angeldeville

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #17 on: August 12, 2006, 06:40:01 PM »
good to know, I'm moving from about 3000ft to about 5000-6000, and the bikes were jetted at about 1000ft.
76' cb750f custom
69' cb750 sandcast
69' CT90
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and enough parts to build about 6-7 more bikes

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #18 on: August 12, 2006, 06:41:56 PM »
If you're coming through Denver, let me know.  There's several sohc4 members in the area as well as a decent size local classic bike group.  When's the trip?

Offline Lumbee

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #19 on: August 12, 2006, 07:01:46 PM »
...oh, it will be a while...next summer maybe....I've got a 77F with a windjammer I'm thinking of taking out west and back.  Working on getting the motor rock solid before I even begin to think seriously about it...
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #20 on: August 12, 2006, 11:44:43 PM »
Talk about confusing...I bought my bike in 2000 in Riverton,Wyoming(5000ft.) I moved to sea level California in 2004 and didn't ride it for close to a year.I went from stock 4 pipes(both lefties blown out at the mufflers),stock air box with K&N and points ignition.Iinstalled 4to1 Kerker,K&N pods,Dyna 2000 ignition.I well knew I would have to jet up.I went from stock 105's to like 120's(can't remember for sure!) Whatever it was,it wasn't enough so I went to 138's.Now it was goofy in between throttle settings but good up high.I pulled carbs again and richened needles.By now,I am getting real pissed but tried putting the 120's back.Holy #$%*...still ain't right....Sat & thought about it....pull carbs again and went the other way with needles....2 steps leaner(for mid range)....now better BUT....kinda #$%*ty wide open.....went back to 138's and violin!!!!(inside joke from the past). Now its good throughout the range. I guess you just have to be patient,learn to like pulling your carbs(Right Bob?) and buying multiple sets of main jets($28 for 4 at my local dealer).Its worth it in the end because the bike just screams now and I didn't have to pay some kid that doesn't even have an inkling of what a SOHC bike is about to work on it!
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Offline mrbreeze

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Re: Jetting for Altitude
« Reply #21 on: August 13, 2006, 12:07:36 AM »
Oh....and by the way.....don't let anybody tell you that a Morgan Carb Tune is a waste of money if you are going to get cozy with these bikes.
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