Carburettor Heaters

[ducpainter]

The element might decide it doesn't like being tricked and decide to burn up.

[koko64]

Not good in that area

I think the manifold sock method might have to be employed.

[Howie]

I think you have to believe that it's actually the drop in temp of the fuel atomizing that's causing the freeze up.

I have a drilled airbox on mine and it did it.

What you believe is true.  An open air box having affecting this is surprising to me.  Maybe it shouldn't be.  No freeze since mine was opened about 11 years ago.  Same drilling as yours.

[Howie]

Howie would surely know if it's doable.
Calling Howie to the blue/white electrical phone...

No idea if it is doable or how to accomplish this.  Sorry.  Gotta say my bike went pig rich on the dyno when the throttle was wacked with soft springs and seemed a little crisper on the street with stiff springs.

[koko64]

Carb sock it is! If you don't know I wont try!

On springs, Im running Factory Pro (mid range stiffness according to Brad and they feel it) but may even go back to stock. The DJ springs are way soft. Are you running DJ springs or FP?

[ducpainter]

Carb sock it is! If you don't know I wont try!

On springs, Im running Factory Pro (mid range stiffness according to Brad and they feel it) but may even go back to stock. The DJ springs are way soft. Are you running DJ springs or FP?

Mine have DJ

[koko64]

Posting this bit is a redo from quite awhile ago.

Iirc, cleaning up the manifolds with a textured finish helped reduce icing.
Not only do the oem manifolds have casting dags and rough sections, but shiny sections with an almost mirror like finish. Very inconsistent in finish. They also had some crappy angles with the casting.
Anyway, anecdotally I noticed a difference after "porting" them with better radii and texture. I was surprised at the result, but probably shouldn't have been. Maybe coincidence, maybe another adjustment to the jetting or spring change helped, but it was so long ago I'm not sure.

[brad black]

you could just refit the fcr.

[koko64]

One day. Dad's rules.

[MotoPsycho]

Total nerd moment for me here.DP is on the right track with his explanation. I know with steam ejectors used to create vacuum, if the saturation point of the steam driving them is too high, they ice up because of the change in velocity, not necessarily volume. In my brain, that translates well to damp cool air blowing through venturi. Add in the evaporative cooling effect of gasoline going from liquid to vapor, and there's enough drop in temp to try to ice up whatever residual moisture is there.

[ducatigirl100]

I like in Montreal canada and I have to ride in severe from time to time....

I just  take my hairdryer and put it in the airbox .. .  . 1 or 2 min latter .... vroooum... 

When the wether is cold I cary it in my backpack when I ride ....just in case....

You would be suprise  how many exterior electrical outlets are out there ...lol...

[Howie]

The situation we are talking about here is caburator freezing.  Happens while riding at barely above freezing and high humidity.  Venturi affect cools the moist air rushing through the carb enough to cause ice.  Colder, not enough moisture in the air to cause the problem.  On car carbs the throttles tend to freeze, on our Mikunis the needle freezes.  Flat sides seem to rattle the ice away.  A hair dryer would work well, but you would need a really long extension cord 

If I remember correctly, the one time I had freezing was in early fall, so maybe winter fuel additives here in the NE US do help.

[koko64]

I like in Montreal canada and I have to ride in severe from time to time....

I just  take my hairdryer and put it in the airbox .. .  . 1 or 2 min latter .... vroooum... 

When the wether is cold I cary it in my backpack when I ride ....just in case....

You would be suprise  how many exterior electrical outlets are out there ...lol...

Hey 100.

As Howie said, starting is no problem, but freezing carbs are when you are riding. Do you have any ideas about strengthening the electric carb heaters on some models? The element does not get hot enough to make much of a difference. The only thing I can think of is to wrap the inlet manifolds in heat insulation material to keep them warm in winter.

[brad black]

we tried the wrap, it made 3/8s of make the beast with two backs all difference to those that had real issues.

[koko64]

Have you seen any of the electric carb heaters here?