CI Plenum Heat Chamber

[Badorderbob]

A few years when Cycle Innovations came on the market, one thing that was lacking was something to heat the plenum chamber. Just like in most Carb conversions heat of some kind is needed when the heat dosen't vaporize correctly, causing the set-up to run rich and rough. This has happened to me in the past when tempetures are around a Humid 50'. Now the bike will run ok at those temps but still has some hesitation until she warms up and even then you can tell the bike uses more gas. I have in the past run copper tubing to each of the underside runners and plenum, then insulated them. But what I found out was the right side would heat up more then the left side. So I'm on my third try to make a coolant chamber to put under the plenum bottom. I had a great chance for someone to put one on for free but I declined. I like trying stuff myself even if I fail. I just appreciate my bike more or I should say it's therapy to me, just to get out and have some Time to myself :d !! I need to get this done before I can even think about putting the Alt. Conversion on. Now for the first try and second try, I used a block of aluminum, drilled out, pressure tested to 50lbs. First try had leaks, second try :- ahh didn't measure right wouldn't fit ( Gee I wonder who the knucklehead that tok a measurement was :ymblushing: ) but it kept it's pressure :lol: !! Where I'm at now is having some down time,... #-O , I have square tubing coming for my third try. The plenum will be a 1x3x6" coolant chamber placed directly under the plenum and insulated with heat wrap. I tapped into the thermostat housing for the outlet and the other very end of the piping for the inlet. I will also have an in-line shut off for summer use when it's too hot. SO I just wanted to share this with the Ole BYBGWBG gang!! Give me a little while and I'll have some Pics in about a few weeks!! Later :YMCOWBOY: Bob

[admin]

Sounds like you're having lots of fun experimenting and that great. Just wondering if you have a single carb on your 1100? Most stock and properly tuned 1200's seem to run great without plenum heat and extra heat at the plenum would lower performance, but, would certainly lower emissions and aid drivability. Perhaps your bike might just need a washer under the needles to help it run better (the washers were a factory mandated recall measure for certain models of 1200's,) although anything that helps fuel economy these days is a very welcome addition to any engine. I'd love to see some pics of your heated plenum project.

[Badorderbob]

I'm one of those guys who never had the experience of what OEMs where like. I've ran the single barrel Holley for years and just recently put a Weber/Holley 32-36 on with an electric pump, made quite a difference on start-up. Also put a tilt-switch on in case she is not in an upright position!! But all this has given me "Therapy Time" !!!!! :lol: :YMCOWBOY: Bob

[Badorderbob]

I finally got the heat chamber all done and tested using 30lbs. test and NO LEAKS \:d/ !! And it was my 3rd try :- but it worked.. I bought some 1x3x6" square tubing with 1/8 inch walls. After I cut it to the desired lenght, I tapped an inlet and an outlet. Then on the ends, I blocked them off with a piece aluminum, taped down about a 1/4" and welded the best I could :d !! For more leak security, I topped each end off with JB WELD, the one rated for 600 degrees. Let it dry, tested in water, no leaks and fitted her to the plenum, held on by stainless steel zip ties and insulated her with some Viton material rated to withstand 350 degress for 36 hrs. :-J !! I also plan to use this material and insulate the runners!!! @-) !!!! Then onto finishing the Alternator Conversion :-SS ,.... I think I got enough to keep me busy for a while!!!!!! I'll post some pic's when I get some time. Later :YMCOWBOY: Bob

[Badorderbob]

Here is a few pic's. of what I have accomplished on the coolant heat chamber

[Badorderbob]

Here's the last of the pictures where the chamber is mounted and the runners that were insulated in Viton. Enjoy!!

[Badorderbob]

Update,....last couple days have been in the 80's and the ole bod just isn't quit use to the weather change :cry: but along those lines the Heat Chamber heats up very nice and I even left it on to see how it would respond to the Hot Weather!! :-SS It performed very nicely without any problems. So I think I'll leave it on this summer!! Also went for a ride today in cooler weather (20' different then yesterday) and she performed great again with no problems :d Took about 2-3 minutes to get warmed like most engines but I'm very pleased with the outcome!!! \:d/ Later, :YMCOWBOY: Bob

[Badorderbob]

Hi All, just like to say the Heat Chamber is doing it's job of keeping things nice a toasty and the runners insulated with Viton is just enough to keep the heat in with no problems :d !! Went so far about 100 miles when I can and had to finally do a fill-up and averaged 35mpg!! This was doing alot of Open Throttle often and country riding! Considering I could get better mpg. I'm satisfied with the outcome!! I'm also going to install a Temp gauage just to see how hot she gets in the chamber. When I don't know all I want to do is ride when I can!! Later B-( Bob