Topic: anybody ever used a wide band 02 sensor for tuning their bike?

[dr. destructo]

It seems like every other post around here is about carb problems and jetting questions.  Im having my own problems with carbs right now.  anyway,, besides all that, has anyone ever considered getting a wide band oxygen sensor that tells precise air/fuel ratio's instantiously?  traditionally their installed in a o2 bung welded near the collector, but i know one company that makes a optional tail pipe probe that they have calibrated to be just as accurate as the other mounting choice.   

I know their expensive and not a average joe blow kind of tool, but man these bikes are finicky with fuel calibrations. 
I want one!  -  for performance or economy jettings , or just to know where Im at and what mods will do to the air/fuel ratio.,  or to quickly diagnose if i have once cylinder running way rich and all the others are fine.     Yea you can read spark plugs and use a temp gun,, but this is the 2000's !  why not?

go here:  www.innovatemotorsports.com

[DammitDan]

How would an exhaust probe work with 4 cylinders and 4 separate tuneable carbs?

[dr. destructo]

you would move it from one pipe to the next.  actually that would make it even easier if you had a stock 4/4 exhaust. 

[TwoTired]

An engine with no load needs less fuel than an engine under load.
What you propose is quite useful if you have the machine on a Dynomometer that holds the bike and exhaust stationary for the exhaust sniffer, and still loads the spinning rear wheel.  Otherwise, you need to mount the equipment on the bike so it won't fall off on your 1/4 mile (or more) test track.  Then you have to either monitor while blasting down the track or record the readings for later scrutiny. There is also a telemetry option.  None are free.

How much money do you wish to spend to get eight jets and four needles properly tuned?  I love the gadgets.  It just seems more economical to read spark plugs for just one bike to tune.

Four carburetors and one sensor?  Okay... if you are supremely confident that all four carbs are providing the exact same mix to each cylinder.

Cheers,

[MRieck]

 The Dynojet wide band is a nice unit but not cheap. Obviously you need a 4/1 pipe for it to work. I have an O2 sensor bung welded in my pipe. I used an early Speed Tune unit but it basically sucks as it isn't real time and has no ability to hold information. The Dynojet does comparitive analysis with RPM vs O2 readings which obviously is occuring under load and atcual running conditions. I'm sure it can take throttle position into account if you have a TPS(which certainly isn't present on any CB's). RPM vs O2 readings would be real accurate with CV carbs but less with round or flatslide units but nevertheless it would provide very usable info with these carbs. I have a feeling it wouldn't work with points too. It is a great way to tune especially if you live in an area that experiences 30 to 40 degree climate changes from early spring to late fall.

[KB02]

you would move it from one pipe to the next.  actually that would make it even easier if you had a stock 4/4 exhaust. 

This is true, but my bike has the stock 4-1 exhaust. Would still give me an idea of where I am, though...

[OldSchool_IsCool]

OK, so I'm sitting in my office today, pretending to do some REAL work, but actually day dreaming about ways to improve my bike.  Oxygen sensors as tuning aids can to mind as a way to help incompetent boobs like myself to achieve tuning results like the carb masters here on this site.  I too thought that static tuning of a stationary bike would produce unsatisfactory results.  Some way is needed to allow either data capture while under load or an automatic, real-time feedback system to adjust the carbs on the fly.

Sure, if you have an unlimited budget or unlimited brains you could come up with SOMETHING.  But what about those of us that are limited on BOTH resources?  What could we do?

After some mulling around and even some web searches on fuel control valves, I though, why control the fuel, control the AIR!  Vacuum ports came to mind as an ideal access point.  Maybe if the four O2 sensors sent their voltage readings to four multi-colored LED mounted by the clocks, that the rider could adjust four air valves to intentionally cause an air leak on the vacuum side of the carb.  Use of a multi-colored, voltage sensing LED would allow he rider to find the "sweet spot" depending on today's riding conditions and performance/efficiency goals.  The air valves mounted in a convenient location to be safely adjusted from the seat.

OK, let the dope slaps begin!