.......a lack of engine braking effect under 5 MPH. Mine just starts freewheeling under 5 MPH, when in HI range, not much better in LO. I just use a little throttle to make it start the braking action again. Who else has noticed this?????? Other than THIS little quirk the EPI black spring kicks serious a$$ !!!! It works great in the tight, technical stuff. Noticed that the top speed may have dropped a little, but I don't road race it anyhow!

 

You may want to have a look at something (I don't know what) but if anything my engine braking works even better than before.

 

I also haveto burp the throttle once in a while but that is usually because I hit the brakes and slowed to much. You shouldn't hav elost any top end because you didn't change any gear ratio it all stay the same it justs grips the belt harder. I could be wrong.

 

TRX450, mine sorta does what you say about free wheeling. It isn't a true freewheel, it is half engine brake. I have to flip the gas to get it all back.

Is it possible that the added spring force is reducing the effects of the helix in the driven pulley. If it is, then your braking will be permanently different. I do not know for sure if this is happening.

TRX, possibly the KEBC has a learning system is probably just getting used to your new belt adjustment. It will do all kinds of different things over the range of belt life.

The KEBC system "knows" when it has pushed the pulley into the belt when the motor has been given power but can't move in any more. Putting the black spring in does not change any of this.

The black spring does not change your initial gear ratio, it just keeps you in your lowest gear a bit longer as you accelerate before upshifting. Changing the belt or adjusting it tighter makes your initial gear ratio lower.

Your top speed did probably did not drop due to this spring. It may be due to something else. The spring does not change the final ratio, but you need to apply more gas at higher speeds to keep it moving. At WOT, I think we hit our highest gear ratio around 50mph. The belt wear affects final gear ratio (not even the belt adjustment affects this). At least on most people's 650, the back spring does not prevent the primary pulley from closing all the way, it just requires a higher rpm to do it. So, with the weak spring, we hit our highest gear ratio 5 or 10 mph lower than with the black spring. But, we are definitely hitting our highest gear ratio. My top speed has not changed even 1/2 mph.

 

I just got done yesterday installing the black seconary and red primary spring. To me, the engine braking has increased. I dont know about top speed because I havent tested it for that yet. I do know its much quicker now.

 

Maybe it was my imagination RE: top speed. Back to the business of lack of K-EBC. Say, I'm on a steep descent-- I DO NOT hit the brakes.I let the engine do that. When I get down to @5MPH, the engine braking progressively goes away over a period of 2-4 seconds, then the bike just free wheels. It doesn't happen instantaneously, but, rather, it takes 2-4 seconds to disengage. Weird, huh? BTW-- I put my original shim back in the driven converter. The belt is STILL pretty loose, BUT doesn't slip or "yelp" on take off! When I get my set of shims, I will go BACK in there ,and get it right this time!
BTW nyroc--- I like the exhaust note after doing your mod, thanx!
Anyway, the "Pimpadelic-650" kicks-a$$ just the same! I am anxiuos to compare it with the Rincon at H/M on Oct. 5th, right Monte ???!!!!!!

 

BTW, K.O.D.--- How was the drive converter(red) spring to put in ? Special tools req'd.??? How much time????
R U coming to the Hatfield/McCoy 650 ride on Oct 5th?

 

If you use an impact wrench for the nut and a rachet socket combo for the small bolts you can have the spring installed in around 5 minutes. Its much much much easier than the secondary black spring is. All you do is remove the nut first, then take out the "I think it was eight" bolts that holds the outer plate on. All you do is remove the spring and put it back in reverse order.

About your engine braking,?? dont know what to think about that. I know mine works good but I dont have any hills around me to test it out on. Atleast its better than a rincon. They dont have engine braking "what" below 5 or 7mph? Thats when you "I or the wife" needs it most. Also I rode my brother in laws Rincon and I know it doesnt have engine braking.

 

KOD-- Did erlandson have the "red spring", was it $25.00 ? Sounds easy to do. I'll do it ,when I do a PROPER tensioning of my belt, i.e.-when I have the right shim(s).

 

Hey, read up on that red spring B4 you do it, it raises engagement rpm significantly.

It also makes engagement harsh (not smooth) and abrupt.

I only know what someone else said about it, I haven't tried it.