O where, o where is the Radman?

[SkooterG]

Anybody know where the Radman has gone off too? It's been 12 days since he last posted. Hope everything is alright in his world. Anybody that knows him got a status check on him?

 

[PapaUtah]

Rad is on the road. Left awhile back on "Frank" for the east coast to see family IIRC. I expect to see his bright shining mug back here in a few more days. I would plan on a very detailed, descriptive and colorful account of his trip when he returns, knowing the Radster. :boss:

 

[radman]

Well well well. It's nice to be missed. Yup, got back last night from a 3400 miler to

Williamsburg,VA and Charlotte,NC. Had perfect weather up until the return trip, hit rain

and sleet in Kentucky as I deviated from the plan and shot west to avoid the crap. Only had

a few hundered miles of that till I hit clear, COLD weather. Had everything I own on, and

while warm initially, eventually the cold crept through and through.

Frank ran perfectly throughout. As I began the return though, a headlight bulb burned

out. Oh oh. Sure enough, 5 starts later, it's cousin followed suit. Bizarre that.

Slammed one in so as to be legit for the remainder of the trip, and all was well. Mileage

varied from 42mpg when I stayed the hammer, to 32 (!) when running fast and hard as I

approached home turf (Des Moines to Albert Lea in 1 hour, 20 minutes). The D&D's had this

annoying drone (they loudened up on the trip big time) at a steady 85, but at 90 the bike

got into a quiet, wind free zone that just encouraged extra legal haul ***. To welcome me

home, popped over a hill at 95 plus to be welcomed by a MN trooper in a radar trap, saw his

brake lights come on seemingly as he prepared to move, but didn't see the backup lights as

he dropped the shift lever in prep for the chase???? Sweetheart that he was, apparently

that was his "coulda nailed ya boy" as he never moved. The feej gods were truly smilin' at

the Rad yesterday!

Found that 125 miles was the limit for the radass before a getoff and stretch and smoke

break was called for. No doubt, a better seat was all that prevented longer go time. The

Audiovox cruise worked perfectly from the get go, and was a lifesaver. And Frank is

DEFINITELY temp sensitive as far as running and vibration is concerned. Smooth as silk in

the cold, the vibes were present in DC and Virginia warmth (mid 80's and humid). Not discussed much

here, a theory I've had for a while bore fruit on this trip, temps most assuredly affect

engine smoothness, PCIII or not, and bears further investigation.

Went to the Mariners Museum in Newport News, and was there for the draining of the dip

tank containing one of the Dahlgren Guns from the Monitor, and I got to touch one of the

truly historic pieces at it's first exposure to air in 140 years. To touch such a historic

relic was a real treat, no doubt intensified by the fact that, happenstance, also there, and

happy to shake my hand, was Clive Custler, author, and discoverer of the Hunley, as well as

many other historic wrecks. Truly a good day for the Rad.

No pics I'm afraid, but many good memories, I got to see my daughters, after far too long

(divorce and nasty ex's blow), as well as a good piece of the US. It's my longest scoot

trip ever, and well worth the sore behind that may never recover. Oh, and to the hot babe

in the Hemi Charger (late model) that ran with me across Missouri on I-70, then waved

goodbye as I headed north, well done, it was fun running a hunnert plus with ya for all

those boring, boring flat *** miles!

 

[radman]

Sorry for the double space, I pasted that outta Notepad, and that was the result.

 

[Bounce]

Sorry for the double space, I pasted that outta Notepad, and that was the result.

Yeah, sure. We know it's because you're spaced after your cold return trip without heated gear.

 

[Rogue]

Oh NO! He's back... Hide the sheep!

Glad to hear you had fun.

 

[BlueWing]

Anybody know where the Radman has gone off too?

Let that be a lesson to you...be careful what you wish for, the bad penny always shows up!

 

[Toecutter]

Oh, and to the hot babe in the Hemi Charger (late model) that ran with me across Missouri on I-70..

Sweet! kinda makes ya feel young again, doesn't it?

DEFINITELY temp sensitive as far as running and vibration is concerned. Smooth as silk in the cold, the vibes were present in DC and Virginia warmth (mid 80's and humid). Not discussed much here, a theory I've had for a while bore fruit on this trip, temps most assuredly affect engine smoothness

MmmHmm, my inadequate cooling system theory strengthens...

Welcome back. Now get to work. Lotta new posts that need your attention.

 

[radman]

Nix on the cooling system. Frank was on 2 bars all the time. But air temp and humidity had a definite effect on engine smoothness. As loud as the D&D's were, I also noticed a raspier sound when air temps were high, as opposed to a smoother note when air was cold and dry. As there is an air temp sensor in the air cleaner, one would think these variances would be compensated for, but something isn't working. The sensor on Frank gives the correct reading, so it is functioning. But something isn't quite right in sensorville, and I'm gonna figure out what it is.

 

[sparky3008]

My bikes here in Maryland have always ran extremely better when the temps cools. During the hot humid summer on past vtwins they always seemed low on power but when it was cool they ran nice and smooth.

I don't think it is the cooling I think it has more to do with air fuel mixture ratios since humid warm air won't have as much oxygen. I bought the fuel ingection hoping that it would compensate for this but still the same thing.

Any other ideas???

injection learn to spell

 

[sparky3008]

I have the custom mapping that many have here but my guess is mine might do better if I had it dynoed here in Maryland in the summer and adjust to compensate for the low oxygen during humid days. Then when the weather cooled I could change the mapping back.

 

[radman]

Another thing I have noticed-Frank runs smoother after a heat cycle, ie: start, run for a bit, shut down hot, then restart. I discounted it the first few times as just a fluke, but this has happened over and over again, and I was carefull to observe this trip, as I went through so many temp changes and cold/hot starts over the course of the trip. And, being as I had no sounds other than those of the bike throughout the trip, I had plenty of time to think. And think. And yes, think. As auto intakes are heated, for a variety of reasons, as well as throttle bodies, ditto, I am leaning towards the unheated intake stream as a possible source of the differences in engine behaviour. But I am, of course, not quite sure which direction to head. Yet. It should also be noted, that the ambient temp sensor is located at the top rear of the aircleaner housing, not exactly totally accurate in determining the actual intake air temp, as it is well out of the stream.

 

[sparky3008]

Kind of like what many vtwin guys would do when going into the mountains they would actually have to rejet the rear cylinders to compensate.

Doh!!

 

[sparky3008]

Another thing I have noticed-Frank runs smoother after a heat cycle, ie: start, run for a bit, shut down hot, then restart. I discounted it the first few times as just a fluke, but this has happened over and over again, and I was carefull to observe this trip, as I went through so many temp changes and cold/hot starts over the course of the trip. And, being as I had no sounds other than those of the bike throughout the trip, I had plenty of time to think. And think. And yes, think. As auto intakes are heated, for a variety of reasons, as well as throttle bodies, ditto, I am leaning towards the unheated intake stream as a possible source of the differences in engine behaviour. But I am, of course, not quite sure which direction to head. Yet. It should also be noted, that the ambient temp sensor is located at the top rear of the aircleaner housing, not exactly totally accurate in determining the actual intake air temp, as it is well out of the stream.

That is kind of the opposite of what I understand. I would think you would want it cool for more oxygen but you seem to be saying that with it warm and then restarting it ran better. Hum...

 

[radman]

Actually, sparks, the carb on most V-Twins, (notably Hardley) feeds both cylinders. Re-jetting for altitude is/was common when carbs were king, on all vehicles. Not so anymore, as the map sensor adjusts for variances in air pressure. And the heated intakes improves atomization of fuel-while cold air and fuel is denser, it is reluctant to turn into the vapor necessary for combustion. In any case, a heated intake air stream would be able to be tuned for, unlike a wide range of temps entering the stream. I don't think the air temp sensor is doing it's job as required-or it isn't accurately sensing the temp of the incoming air accurately.

 

[sparky3008]

Actually, sparks, the carb on most V-Twins, (notably Hardley) feeds both cylinders. Re-jetting for altitude is/was common when carbs were king, on all vehicles. Not so anymore, as the map sensor adjusts for variances in air pressure.

Virago is what I was thinking of as I had a Vstar.

I like this sensor theory, would moving it help?

 

[radman]

Anyone wanna guess where the mod-nazis are gonna put this thread?

 

[Geezer]

Welcome back. So, did you qualify for an IBA plate?

 

[radman]

Welcome back. So, did you qualify for an IBA plate?

Nope. Not even close. I did on my best day maybe 600 miles in a 24. Frequent butt breaks have proven to be my mileage albatross, and won't be reduced until a new seat is on the Frank.