Varadero 1000 surge and pop.

[Trada]

Here's my first mechanical question guys. The Vara 1000 I bought has slight surging it low revs and the occasional backfire. Plugs or carbs? Any suggestions?

 

[Chewbadger]

Plugs are quicker and easier to change, but I'd probably say carbs. Plugs usually miss under load, but wouldn't really cause surging.

Rob

 

[Boris]

Here's my first mechanical question guys. The Vara 1000 I bought has slight surging it low revs and the occasional backfire. Plugs or carbs? Any suggestions?

You may have two separate issues here.
On the surging front. If it happens at small throttle openings but clears when you open it up I'd be checking the carb / throttle body balance
On the popping front check for exhaust leaks. Check especially where the rear downpipe joins the collector box. The gasket there is made of some biscuit type material and fails regularly

 

[Trada]

Not used to running a twin so not quite sure. It's just doesn't quite feel smooth at low revs and speeds, I'm having to keep the revs over 3,000. It just feels as though it's surging a little if you try to hold the revs at a constant low. And I always expected a twin to be quite torquey but it's not, or is that just me being used to honda blackbird. Once running it does pull upto 110mph/177kph, so far that's as far as I've taken her.

 

[Wigan Chris]

I also get the low speed surging on my '02 Vara. happens between 2k and 3k revs, on a roughly neutral or slightly positive throttle. happens when cold, when hot... very odd.

 

[Trada]

Thanks Chris, I have been told by one guy it's quite normal on the older models so I'm not going to worry too much yet. I will look at the exhaust joints for blowing etc and the plug colour first and get a mechanicic to do the carbs when I get some time. The bike is new to me so I'll run it for a month or so before getting it set up and serviced by someone who knows how properly.

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

My carbadero has a slight surge at lower revs on light throttle, it's not a problem & I'm used to it now - pulling the choke halfway in cures it so I'm assuming they are too lean in that area. I will try fitting another .5mm washer under the needle sometime to see if that cures it.
They don't seem to like sub 3k in high gears.
Carbs balanced and everything else seems good/std btw.

Phil

 

[Trada]

I've just read an old article somewhere that says an old fuel pump could also cause the problem. Might strip and clean the contacts on mine when I get started on it.

 

[fatowl]

if you're used to a Blackbird, you will find the Vara lacking in low down torque. It will also be nowhere like as smooth. It's the nature of the beast.

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

I've just read an old article somewhere that says an old fuel pump could also cause the problem. Might strip and clean the contacts on mine when I get started on it.

Certainly worth checking, however, mine has new contacts fitted

Phil

 

[Philwhiskeydrinker]

Here's my first mechanical question guys. The Vara 1000 I bought has slight surging it low revs and the occasional backfire. Plugs or carbs? Any suggestions?

Not used to running a twin so not quite sure. It's just doesn't quite feel smooth at low revs and speeds, I'm having to keep the revs over 3,000. It just feels as though it's surging a little if you try to hold the revs at a constant low. And I always expected a twin to be quite torquey but it's not, or is that just me being used to honda blackbird. Once running it does pull upto 110mph/177kph, so far that's as far as I've taken her.

I also get the low speed surging on my '02 Vara. happens between 2k and 3k revs, on a roughly neutral or slightly positive throttle. happens when cold, when hot... very odd.

Thanks Chris, I have been told by one guy it's quite normal on the older models so I'm not going to worry too much yet. I will look at the exhaust joints for blowing etc and the plug colour first and get a mechanicic to do the carbs when I get some time. The bike is new to me so I'll run it for a month or so before getting it set up and serviced by someone who knows how properly.

My carbadero has a slight surge at lower revs on light throttle, it's not a problem & I'm used to it now - pulling the choke halfway in cures it so I'm assuming they are too lean in that area. I will try fitting another .5mm washer under the needle sometime to see if that cures it.
They don't seem to like sub 3k in high gears.
Carbs balanced and everything else seems good/std btw.

Phil

Just to bring this up again,
Did you ever look into the problem or find a solution?

As it happens, I tried taking the .5mm washer out from under the needles (leaner) the problem was much worse with the bike being nearly unrideable in some situations. Using the choke helped.

Next, I tried the washers back in with an extra .5mm (total of 1mm instead of .5mm stock) to richen the low/mid a touch, the bike is transformed. Much smoother and more progressive at lower revs with more oomph too

It can be done with carbs in situ if you have a 90* screwdriver.

Phil

 

[Trada]

Cheers Phil. I'm just getting used to it for now once we get into early winter I'll pull it off the road and start on it. Full service strip and grease as much as needed and give the carbs a thorough clean and service then it will be off to a proper mechanic to set up properly. But ill definitely mention your trick to him.