The Valve Experiment

[VersysVsWhat]

Thank you Ride_Red, I'll check out that product.

 

[Bonz]

I use an AirHawk seat pad on my seat for longer rides. It works pretty good. The trick is to run it almost flat, so that it squishes and distributes the air around all the uneven body contours. If it feels like you are sitting on top of a cushion on top of your seat, you have too much air in it.

Agree, and I believe those are the instructions that it comes with "Less is Best". I have an Air Hawk knockoff and run it where it feels somewhat flat but it's perfect.

 

[VersysVsWhat]

If I didn't have some left over latex foam to repurpose*, I'd definitely consider the AirHawk, but free is for me. I just need to sew up an encasing fabric holder for it, and that's not hard as I already sew things for backpacking purposes.

* (Awhile back, I bought a 3" medium-firm latex topper for the bed. But my spouse has been complaining about it more and more being uncomfortable. So we very recently bought a twin XL latex foam topper in soft. She cut off 8 inches of it, and I cut the old one in half. She now has her soft side and I have my firm side. And now we have a lot of left over latex foam. Stuff is pretty amazing. Will outlast any petro-chemical based foam. Similar as to why they still add latex to butyl rubber for tires-increases the longevity/durability. I just need to figure out if I'm going to use the soft or the medium-firm version. The downside for the latex foam is that I really need to protect it from water, so the fabrics need to be extremely water proofed and the seams have to be well seam sealed.)

 

[Ride_Red]

The downside for the latex foam is that I really need to protect it from water, so the fabrics need to be extremely water proofed and the seams have to be well seam sealed.)

Meh... Make it detachable.

I remove my AirHawk pad when it rains. Hasn't been a problem.

 

[VersysVsWhat]

Meh... Make it detachable.

I remove my AirHawk pad when it rains. Hasn't been a problem.

Yeah, was thinking about 1.5" or so wide velcro/hook and loop.

 

[4wd]

This is the video in which Speed Jr. talks about this issue:


To be fair, Shell is using a different lubricity fuel enhancer than 2 stroke oil in all likelihood (I don't remember if the exact chemistry was mentioned in the video at the moment. I will probably re-watch it at some point in the near future and if it is mentioned, I'll report back).

Same with the Exxon or Mobil Synergy package … (the FM) …

 

[DV0993]

I know that's supposed to be the case but it hasn't been true in my particular experience. Dosing with TCW3 at 1:640 coincided with the disappearance of a slight tendency for my engine to ping. I have heard of another TCW3 user having the same experience.

Maybe there is some threshold before oil has a negative effect. My engine is supposed to use 98 RON but it runs fine on 95 RON dosed with TCW3.

My pinging disappeared too - 3MZ-FE

 

[Japanese]

Does adding oil to the gasoline lower its octane?
Because if it does, you can damage your engine if it requires premium fuel or certain octane, but not any lower.

 

[BusyLittleShop]

In this video the Geek warns against adding any additives to your oil...

 

[thetricky]

On a side note, another idea I am toying with is adding heat pipes to areas of the engine near the fins (again, to help it run cooler).

(Heat pipes are pretty amazing at transferring/conducting heat away from the heat source. Not hard to make. These would be modified, flattened copper tubes, with silicon carbide placed inside along with the wicking material and distilled water-all under vacuum).

Why? What would this get you on a touring bike?

 

[lilspenny]

Awhile back I watched a Motor Oil Geek video talking about how some lubricity in a fuel helped to lessen wear. Got me thinking since I have a container of Amsoil Saber hanging around that I use for 2 stroke stuff like a chain saw and leaf blower (I've been pretty impressed by the stuff). Would using the highest quality oils (like HPL, Renewable Lubricants, etc) the majority of time, in combo with a little Amsoil Saber+a little gumout+top tier fuel have any positive effects on slowing down valve clearance migration/alignment? Generally the combo should (?) help the motor to run a bit cooler, and expanding contracting cycles seem to affect valve movement.

Since my bike is pretty new, it's a great one to experiment with. The Saber is being mixed no more than 300 to 1 ratio and no less than 600 to 1. Hopefully just enough to add a little lubricity. I haven't noticed any negative effects from this so far. However, one thing I have wondered, would it be negative in the sense of not allowing the valves to seal properly/fully?

I have another 6k miles or so to go before I need to check valve clearance (which I'm somewhat dreading as it is not easy to do on this bike. Not the worst bike out there for this, but definitely not one of the easier ones either).

Anyways, I will update when that comes around with the results.

As for myself, no way would I add oil to my gas. I might add some Techron, and I'd always use top tier gas if I was riding regularly. If not, I'd buy non-ethanol and use Techron. I would not modify the cooling system. If my bike had an overheating issue I'd restore to factory specs. I'm not one to mess with oem mods. Your Kawasaki is a very nice bike!