I am running the 147.5 Mikuni main jets as well; with an elevation close to sea level. Tried the stage 1 and 7 kits, but was rich always. Confirmed with dyno so went back to stock needles. Runs much better. It truly did wake up the beast with more pulling power in all gears, lol.
The radials are the best option for sure. I ended up getting progressive shocks; front and rear. This made a world of difference to the handling, making the bike more stable and planted.
Where did you get your rear wheel for the radial tires?
40 feet above sea level 2003 Vmax
Holeshot exhaust 4 into 2
Stock air box and filter
147.5 mains
Stock needles shimmed .028"
PAJ2 160 mikuni
2 1/2 - 3 turns out on fuel screws
Slides not drilled
Vacuum equalization mod
Stock V boost
44 mpg
Air box resonance is a thing, used to have Dynojet 1 and...
gen1 Vmax is designed to run on regular fuel. Higher octane gas burns slower and will not burn as efficiently actually losing power resulting in carbon build up. Higher compression motors require higher octane ratings or detonation will occur.
Sounds like your bike might need some seafoam to...
Bike looks great! I have the holeshot exhaust as well at 1900' above sea level with 147.5 main jets. No worries about running lean, the free flowing exhaust causes it to draw more fuel and air. I noticed it pulled a lot harder on the highway in steeper gears.
Nice looking bike! I have a 2003 and used to have cobras as well. There was no performance increase, just louder. I ended up getting a full exhaust system 4 into 2 and that made the biggest change in power. Ironically for me, I had to put smaller main jets in,147.5. The bike ran way too rich...
The stock air box and needles set up is hard to beat with some tweaking of the carbs air fuel mixture and raising the needles with washers. I ride with an elevation of 1800 feet and from all the messing around I did after getting it dynoed a few times I came to the conclusion that it was way too...
The tiltle of that book reminded me of a motorcycle shop along the winding road of the Pacific coast south of San Francisco. It was a nostalgic place with some classic motorcycles. The place was once a gas station with an old style restaurant. Black and white tile floor with the stationary round...
The shrouds may not "look" nice but they also serve another purpose. They help deflect the heat from rising up which also affects the cabeuretor function especially when sitting at a red light on a hot day. The heat will warm up the air box and cause the engine to puke and sputter until moving...
Had my Shorai battery for three years and never had to charge it. Left bike till spring and you would never know it sat all winter. Plenty of cranking power.
Th DJ needles, drilled slides will cause an excessive rich mixture. It's hard to beat a well tuned stock set up. The mains are rich from the factory, 147.5 me would work well with stock needles and removal of the air restrictors.