Feb 2004 Set-up
TBR can and cat eliminator, Techlusion R259 at OEM settings and 3 degree advance with 89 octane gas = 84 rwhp - Dynojet dyno
Feb 2005 Set-up
Removed airbox and installed UNI pod filters, replaced the TBR can with a SS SuperTrapp, with larger internal volume and 18 disks.
The bike pulled 79 rwhp on the dyno and showed F/A ratio in the 14 range, not conducive to power generation. I maxed the Techlusion and picked 1/2 rwhp, still not being able to get the requred air/fuel ratio to produce power. (typically in the 12.8 to 13.4 depending on the engine)
Not having many other options I masked off 50% of the UNI pods filter area, that reduced the air flow and got the HP back to 83 rwhp and due to time and cash constraints left it there. That's the way the bike made the trip to the Beakster Bash II in WV on April this year.
July 2005 Set-up
Explored all posibilities for getting more fuel to the engine, larger injectors, incresed fuel pressure via a new pressure regulator, etc.
Ruled the larger injectors out since their size, 370 cc/min vs 300 cc/min (std) could present some control problems leading to richer than normal mixture at idle speeds. The rule of thumb on injector swaps is keep them to 20% larger if you are planning to use the original ECU.
An external pressure regulator would provided the most range of adjustment, up to ~ 65 psi, once again the rule of thumb is to keep the pressure increase to about 20 psi with the stock pump, however the cost and the installation provided some challenges, so this option was also discarded.
Then browsing through the BMW specs, I noticed that the K1200 bikes use the same fuel system albeit with a higher pressure regulator 3.5 bar or 51.45 psi vs the stock 3 bar or 44.1 psi,on the R1150, that is an increase of ~ 7 psi. The pressure increase provides a larger shot of fuel by the injector over the same on/off time. The regulator cost was around $36 from Chicago BMW. This was the cleanest and least expensive solution, the installation was a cinch since not having the airbox everything is accessible.
I then removed the UNI pod masks (flow restrictors) and re-installed the TBR can after sandblasting and painting Hi-Temp black to match the exhaust.
The other mod that took place was the installation of a set of Bitubos that I aquired from rivi777.
Riding Impressions
I have not taken the bike back to the dyno, the CCP is removed and have run the bike with the Techlusion on and off and quite frankly I can't detect any diference by the seat of the pants. The bike idles much smoother, has a strong pull on all the gears all the way to the limiter, with the exception of 6th....my limiter comes on around 8100 rpm.
Since the last time the bike ran on the lean side I have removed the plugs and kept my eye on them to monitor any potential problems. I threw in
a new set of plugs, single electrode Autolites, after the addition of the pressure regulator and the TBR can and they look great.......my mileage, on the last three tanks has gone from 42 to 46 mpg on 89 octane and my riding habits haven't changed.
On the road manners, all I have to say is that I played with the set-up on the Bitubos, to accomodate the avoirdupois and the local roads, all I have to say is that the character of the bike has changed, that baby is planted and inspires to be pushed. Turn in is easier and requires less effort. The ride is taught and supple and reminds me of my 88 BMW M3. The suspension is also higher, close to an inch. Let us just say that I'm defiitely tippy toeing. I could use a rear spring with a larger spring constant (K), since I'm running max preload......hmmmm, that will make the bike higher yet, time to lose weight.
Future work
My next step is to take it to the dyno, once again, and hopefully compare the cans and the effect of the Techlusion as an adder to the new pressure regulator. There isn't much more by way of external performance mods......my philosophy is no internal mods. The issue of paint is still under advisement.
I have enclosed pics of the bike in the current state, the can and the rear Bitubo can be seen along with the pressure regulators, old, still on the manifold and new, to the right.
BTW, projects and budgets have allowed me some time off, a welcome occurrence if I may say so, and have been taking care of the honey do's and my other projects......like the CB1100F a project bike that I haven't touched in the last three years.
Well, that's all for now, until the next installment.
