Running hot?

xs650newb

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Hey everyone,

Took the bike on the highway for the first time. It was ~10 miles. When I got home I checked engine temps out of curiosity and I think I'm running way too hot.

Jugs:280
Near spark plug: 305
Header pipe: 365.


It is 70 degrees outside today and I was traveling at about 70 mph.

Any thoughts?

Adam
 
I've never measured my header temp, and the jug temp doesn't mean much, but the temp you give for the engine right next to the spark plug is way too hot for 10 miles. The bike should just barely be warming up after 10 miles at 70 which is less than 10 minutes.
http://www.xs650.com/forum/showthread.php?t=14997
Read this for reference, especially my post #24.
http://xs650temp.proboards.com/thread/16693
Try this one too. I haven't looked at it in a long time, but maybe there's relevant info near the end of the thread.
 
Ok, so I looked at the plugs and if anything I am running too rich!?!?!

Here is a picture:
WP_20141004_09_35_31_Pro.jpg

The left plug looks to be running a bit rich while the right plug looks to be spot on.

I'm wondering why the bike would be running hot if the mixture is set properly. Can this be related to timing? The bike starts and runs great so I'm not sure how far off the timing could even be.

Any other thoughts?

Adam
 
Go to the old 650rider site and look at some of xsjohn's threads on head temps.
He posted several pictures of his temps and it was those temps that he developed his needles on.
 
I'm open to dissenting opinions, but I think the plug on the right looks lean. Hard to tell about the plug on the left, but it is either okay, or just slightly rich or maybe either okay or lean but slightly oil fouled. I could make a better assessment of if you are rich or lean if I knew what your air filter and exhaust mods and jetting were.
Regarding timing, it can definitely cause an engine to run hotter. And you should never run an engine that you have not checked/set the timing on and verified advancing, it's a good way to ruin it.
 
I'd have to agree with DogBunny. The plug on the left looks closer to a dialed in system than the too lean looking right plug. Lean = higher temps, but so does too much timing advance or retard.
 
Here is a closer shot of the plugs.
 

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Hey guys,

Thanks for all the input.

I am running a completely stock bike. Exhaust, air filters, everything.

I'm going to go through the bike and check for leaks and also check the bike's timing. FYI, I put a new set of points in the bike about 500 miles ago and timed the bike then. I'll go back and make sure I did the job right.

I'll keep everyone updated. Before I go here is a before and after picture of the bike. I purchased it 4 months ago for 400 dollars.

WP_20140517_14_14_08_Pro (1).jpg

WP_20141001_17_38_37_Pro (1).jpg
 
Did you measure your temps on right side and left? Might help identifying if its running leaner on one side.
If timing was the issue, I would think the plugs would look somewhat closer in comparison.
 
Thanks rg.

Took about 4 months. Bike had sat outside, partially covered for 20 years.

Rebuilt carbs, new wiring harness, new rectifier, regulator, and rotor, and a new set of points. After all that she fired right up.


Kathos,

Both sides run equally hot.
 
I dont think the right plug looks too lean. Is the porcelan that color the whole way down with a light smoke ring near the base? Sync at 70mph wont matter much. Personally, both my autolites in my tx look like ypur right plug, and thats a 140 main. If i go to a 142.5 it feels a bit soggy up top. Thats my 74 with bs34's. I think the dark chocolate people like is to rich, and usually its way dark on the porcelain half way down after the tip.
 
Thanks for all this info guys.

I'm really leaning towards timing at the moment. Everything is stock on the bike including the jetting.

Perhaps there could be an air leak which is causing a lean condition but I think it would be more obvious on the plugs. I'll check timing tonight and see report back.

Adam
 
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