so it is running a LOT better now. I think I just need to put a 38 or 40 slow (pilot) jet in, adjust the idle mixture screw (need a special d-shaped driver for that...) and I should be good to go, with a 82 main jet in it's running quite well actually..

I had to go ahead and run a hose off the carb for the little breather filter, as i wasn't able to get it mounted fully on the damn thing, so that's in pretty good shape as well. I've got a bracket coming that bolts on to where the front airbox bolt used to go that will hold the two filters in place on the side above the crankcase, so that whole "bouncy filter" issue will be addressed as well.

Here's a few pictures.. first, a shot from the rear-left

and a little more close-up shot of the two filters on the left side

and the front, which just looks ridiculously cute...

more to come soooon! Read more »

apparently part of my problem is that i've been running premium gas instead of 87 octane. honda engines are designed to burn the lower octane stuff, according to the owners manual, "86 octane or higher" is recommended. many many riders report decreased performance with higher octane fuel (unless they're running big bore with CDI etc... which results in higher compression at higher revs.)

sooo, i'll likely be tracking down a Shell or BP station today (assuming the rain stops like it says it will) to fill up with some nice pure 87 octane, and see what that gets me. i can see how the higher octane, being harder to ignite, could cause some issues when i'm trying to dial in the carb jetting. it's not like i'm in danger of early combustion because, as i said, the motor on the NPS50 just isn't really a "performance engine." Read more »

so i've rejetted to an 85, thought maybe it was way too rich w/ no intake mods -- just the yosh TRC. wasn't running well at all...

anyhow, I completely revamped the intake system now, and it's not running any better -- maybe even worse. I think I need to just get motivated, start at 80 and work my way up.

Tomorrow... until it rains :P

I'll post up some pics too of the new intake layout. it looks pretty sweet, at least!

you know what's next :)

(yeah, what happens next is i learn how to tear down a carb, swap the main jet, then put it back together. quite likely repeatedly.)

so it's done! still need to reroute the throttle and rear brake cables. now that i have less distance to go i can probably get them back under the gas tank where they belong. i am going to need a shorter speedometer cable, but actually it's "ok" how it is now. perhaps if i do work on the front shocks at some point..

so i got it in the garage, and took a couple pictures

took off all the hardware

put the new clamp/bar on

got all the hardware on, and modified the battery box cover after relocating the ECU using longer bolts and spacers, and dropped the speedo in. this was MUCH MUCH MUCH MUCH harder than it sounds. unfortunately i don't have any pictures of the process because i was too busy swearing, but here's the finished product

next up, replace the ugly coolant overflow reservoir tank with a shiny chrome kijima tank & clear hose. Read more »

i'll post some photos later, have to get them off the camera as i'm using my D50 instead of my iphone for this one. taking a few shots at different angles at semi-regular progress milestones tonight and tomorrow. saving the last of the dremel work for tomorrow, 10:30am should be an ideal time for loud noises in my garage that is the center of my apartment building, right? nobody has hangovers at 10:30am on sunday morning, right? :D

once complete, i'll post a full set of photos -- with more on flickr.