Triumphrat

95bravo · 03-06-2006, 01:15 AM

The AI, what are the pros and cons of removing it?

dardoonk · 03-06-2006, 01:36 AM

If you want blue pipes, leave it in. If you don't, take it out; no ill effects from removing it, unless you are of the enviornmental type and think you will end the world.
Mine was removed before the engine was ever run.

Ridge · 03-06-2006, 03:21 AM

From a previous discussion:

Pros:
-Reduces and/or halts bluing of the pipes (although not in all cases)
-Decreases head temperature (20°- Ed)
-Increases accessibility to the spark plugs
-Reduces a small amount of weight
-Reduces visual clutter
-May reduce popping on deceleration (although not in all cases)

Cons:
-performance is unaffected
-Dramatically increases Hydrocarbon, CO and NOx emissions (10 to 20 times - Diego) that contribute to lowering the air quality and the increasing of greenhouse gasses; sited as the cause of global warming.

Bryan · 03-06-2006, 03:32 AM

Have your pipes turned blue 95bravo?

Panthermark · 03-06-2006, 08:05 AM

If you are in Cali, you might have to leave it on. Do you have to have emissions tests on your bike each year?

WaltZ · 03-06-2006, 08:41 AM

In regards to ones bike, anything that reduces extra heat is probably a good thing in the long term. Evey see the last hot dog on the A+ mini-market grill?

As to "stops bluing," don't be setup for disappointment.

dazco · 03-06-2006, 10:36 AM

I've heard of people who's pipes turned blue on a speedmaster, but it seems rare. I rode mine for a thousand miles b4 i removed the AI with absolutly no bluing. Unlike bonnies, speedmasters and americas have double walled headers so unless the pipes are getting unusually hot they generally don't blue.

I found no real advantage removing the AI but did find it cause me some problems in starting and warming up. This seems rare tho, and a few have reported the same thing, but VERY FEW. But as i recall it may have something to do with the california models due to the EVLS emissions system.

On the other hand, once i got pipes and modded the airbox and all that the problem went away. In fact it may have departed right after i installed the pipes, but to be honest it's been a while and i don't recall exactly what stopped it. But i would suggest leaving it on unless you are going to add pipes and air mods. It really doesn't cause any negitive effects at all except to the pipes on bonnies. And some don't consider bluing negitive.

Copper · 03-06-2006, 10:53 AM

I took mine off almost entirely to get rid of the clutter. My pipes were already blue, I kinda like it that way, but I want as few hoses etc as possible. I also removed the CA emissions stuff, but then I don't live in CA!

Ridge · 03-06-2006, 01:50 PM

My bonnie's pipes kept right on bluing after I removed the AI. I'm running a little rich so that my have something to with it. I wouldn't trade em for shiney new ones now.

Removing the AI did add an extra 25 horsepower at the wheel though.

(just kiddin', Diego)

Diego · 03-06-2006, 02:27 PM

Ridge's list is pretty thorough re: the pros and cons.

He is kidding about the horsepower, of course.

The AI pulls air into the exhaust port after combustion has taken place, so it does not affect fuel-air mixture in any way. Its function is to enable afterburning of any residual hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream.

Whether the presumed 20 degrees difference in head temperature really means anything is debatable (I'd like to see the raw numbers, and to know whether that was with AI removal only or with exhaust system and jetting changes), since it's designed to handle astonishing amounts of heat anyway.

Still, the list is thorough and balanced.