Counter Balance Adjuster

aniwack

aniwack

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Joined
May 13, 2018
Messages
633
Location
Atlanta, GA
Bike
Odd Years
2025 Miles
001200
So it’s winter in the south and that means lots of rain and cold. it also makes for a good excuse to get maintenance done. My 09 1300PA gets awful gas mileage (low 30’s). I’ve torn the bike down and done the valve sync again (still balanced @Igofar) and did some well needed cleaning. But I’m convinced I’m not doing the counter balance adjuster correctly. I did the upper nut to the left then backed off and lower to the right but my numbers still suck. Is there something I’m missing out on here? Larry said listen to the whine but I can’t hear it. My YouTube search came up negative.
 
Counterbalance shaft lash adjustment will have no effect on fuel economy. Does your thermostat operate properly and keep the coolant temperature gauge at 3 bars when ever the bike is warmed up and moving?
 
It does and I replaced the thermostat t-connector and hose lines plus flushed at Thanksgiving.
 
Are PA bikes tuned differently, maybe this mpg is typical? There are lots of variables for mpg, only a back to back comparison with a similar bike would confirm if there is an issue, do you have fellow ST1300 owners?
 
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The counterbalance adjustment will not effect fuel economy unless the gear lash is far too tight. Even then I doubt it would effect it very much. All the counterbalance adjustment does is set the amount of lash or clearance between the gears - that's it.
 
If you are having fuel mileage issues - the common things are air filter, Intake air temp sensor and map sensor (manifold air pressure sensor. Make sure no critters have built a nest inside your air cleaner.
 
SMSW said:
Shouldn't his police odo be v close to the gps? Or is only the speedo calibrated?
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The speedo is calibrated.
jfheath said:
Are you using the fuel gauge as an indication of the amount of fuel used, or the amount of fuel put in since the last fill-up ? It should be the latter ! What does you average fuel consumption display show ? It should be consistent with that.
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Full tank to full tank. Divide the trip odo by gallons to get mileage.
drtyrrel said:
check your mileage with the windshield down and no top box.
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I only ride with the windshield down. What’s a top box?
SteveST1300 said:
Have you checked your air filter?
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Yesterday when I did the valve sync. OEM filter, still clean.
The thermostat and coolant lines were replaced at Thanksgiving. The onboard display says 32, I’m getting 35 by math.
 

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I would think those upper driving lights would effect the mileage some. Those things would produce some serious drag where they are located.
 
jfheath said:
Poor mpg ? Check your brake temperatures after riding for a distance without using them. Coast to a stop. They should be cold To the touch. (Rear might be a tad warmer as it is near the exhaust.). It is easy to overlook this problem when your head is full of fuel and engine stuff, but very easy to identify or eliminate it as a cause.
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If all else seems normal/good, This is where I would certainly look. That is some low mileage.
 
bdalameda said:
I would think those upper driving lights would effect the mileage some. Those things would produce some serious drag where they are located.
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Hmm....

Sounds like I'll be pulling them and testing your theory. (All the lights are on quick disconnects.)
 
I can bleed he system again. I haven't heard any dragging on the rotors when gravity rolling down the driveway.
 
Dragging brakes enough to take 10 mpg off riding tank after tank......... wouldn't this superheat them in short order? I can't take this seriously in the long term. You could see blued rotors, odd sounds, difficulty moving the bike around.
 
I get 36 to 39 avg cross country running 75 to 80. If i watch my average readout it shows about 33, 34 at 80. It shows 44, 45 at 60 and 50 at 50. MOL
 
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