Extra horses hiding in the engine

[hellkat]

Would someone kindly explain the concept in words I can understand.


TL;DR - The GSX got fettled for various problems that I thought were minor but apparently not.
And now they tell me that it has gone from 47 hp to 70 hp, an increase of 23 hp.

So that was nice.
I am looking forward to getting it back so that I can rag it about the place.

But *where* did the extra horses come from?

Please keep your explanations to nursery level.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Nobby the Bastard]

Thats massive for an oil change.

Sounds like restricted for a learner.

Usually a limit on the throttle cable movement which is easy to remove.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[hellkat]

I don't think it was restricted

The guy I bought it off had just taken it round Europe, two-up with his bird, and it was immaculately tuned when I rode it back from Milan - it certainly had plenty of go in it, as I proper caned it back across France (rare for me)

But then sitting about unridden for a few years hasn't done it any favours: old petrol, dust and shite etc., so maybe it lost some vroom at some point and now they found it again?

I dunno, is that a likely thing?
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[WD Forte]

Impossible to be specific at a distance, only the fettler would have
some detailed of what he found and what he did.
Sounds like it could be stuff like gummy/sticky old petrol,
oxidisation on electrical contacts, stiffness on things what
didn't ought be be stiff and general neglect.

So, when it finally got some tlc it kinda brought it back to life,
which isn't an unusual occurrence.
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bikers smell of wee

[stinkwheel]

A classic is that the holes in the carburettor jets wear over time and can become larger and oval, delivering the wrong mix of fuel and air. They probably fitted new jets among other things.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Bhud]

Did they measure before and after, on the dyno? Have you got a printout?

[Polarbear]

I presume they put it on a dyno before and after or is this just an 'estimated' power increase due to their wonderful administrations?

Personally I'd like the before and after dynos and a detailed list of the work done. It's certainly a fair request and even if you don't understand them, put it up on here and someone will tell you exactly waht you want to know. In girly language as well
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Triumph Trophy Launch Edition

[hellkat]

Yes it was done before and after the dyno.

One of the fettles was to get it shipshape to pass a ULEZ test, so (once my V5 comes back ) that box will also be ticked, and I can menace people in central London again

I will be asking for the paperwork/printouts which I am sure they will be happy to provide.
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Not nearly as interesting in real life.

[Bhud]

That's one hell of a tune-up / service.

[Pete.]

If it was apparently running on all cylinders and not missing badly then I would say blocked air filter. I have seen bikes (my mate's 900 hornet for one) that would not even rev out with no load on it because the air filter was clogged up.

If it's done a lot of touring miles up to its service then it's very much a possibility.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[A100man]

I'll throw in - stuck rings unsticking after being given some stick..and/or poor valve clearance adjustment.
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[ThunderGuts]

I tend to think the term of finding horses is reserved for restoring power lost from the expected output, rather than enhancement, so suggests poor running (as above) or other related issues. In theory, even something as mundane as low tyre pressures, stiff chain links or rough bearings could all drain wheel power without the engine missing a beat.
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TG.

[Robby]

Seeing as it was trying to get sorted for the ULEZ, I would assume it had a full service, where air filter is the big thing that can lose lots of power. Quite possibly new, or even different jetting. In this case, making it a bit leaner to reduce certain emissions may increase power. They may also have advanced the timing a bit.

It's quite possible to be significantly down on power from a number of small things, but not really feel it. It will feel a lot sharper now.

[jeffyjeff]

In simplest terms, all horses come from the energy contained in the fuel.
Engine air and fuel systems are designed to burn the fuel at the optimum fuel/air ratio, but running time tends to alter mechanical clearances in the engine as parts wear. Periodic tune-ups restore the clearances back to optimum. As a rule, air system problems result in low power with elevated exhaust smoke; insufficient fuel results in low power with no smoke, and could result from fuel degradation over an extended storage period. Those horses hiding in your engine are certainly a function of fuel delivery, and could be the result of something as simple as a loose throttle cable, or a throttle position sensor out of calibration. If the carburetor slide can only open to 80%, your engine can only make 80% power, even if the throttle is pinned. If you have electronic fuel injection, the ecm will only command 100% power if it senses 100% throttle on the throttle position sensor.
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History shows again and again how nature points out the folly of men - BOC

[Nobby the Bastard]

It's a carbed bike....
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Sprint ST 1050

[MCN]

As WD suggests, most probable Dirty Lectrics, gummy petrol things.

Enjoy your revealed Horses Ma'am.
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Disclaimer: The comments above may be predicted text and not necessarily the opinion of MCN.

[MarJay]

Coked up valves can cause something like that. Loose or tight valve clearances, blocked air filter, blocked fuel filter.... tonnes of stuff.
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British beauty: Triumph Street Triple R; Loony stroker: KR1S; Track fun: GSXR750 L1; Commuter Missile: GSX-S1000F
Remember kids, bikes aren't like lego. You can't easily take a part from one bike and then fit it to another.

[yen_powell]

Measured at the back wheel? Rear brake freed up/serviced?
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XT1200Z and a DR350 in bits

[Pete.]

[jeffyjeff]