Mine's a '96 non-CA model. The secondary air solenoid properly switches at 12mph, per the manual. But have seen a pretty clean removal diagram. What performance change could I expect if I delete the solenoid and route the tubes to the carb?

Mine stumbles after second gear once I hit 4000 rpm and have a load. In first gear all the way up to 10,000 rpms its crisp and fast. It seems more speed related which makes me still suspicious of the air system but other similar threads point to carb rework and jetting.

Any informed opinions there?

 

Are you refering to the secondary air system. Or the emissions stuff on CA model bikes.

If the emissions, there is little to no performance gains, however you will loose a few lbs and have better access to you spark plugs, on top od that you will no longer hear a popping should if and when you engine brake as well as I have noticed (personal opinion here) that engine braking is much smoother without the emissions stuff.

If your referring to the secondary air supply it will give you a more accurate /consistent f/a ratio (I think) and smooth out the throttle by a bit. Hope that helps and maybe someone else can chime in about the secondary air supply.

 

Hey you wouldn't happen to be in the marines would you.

 

We love our Marines, but I did not have that honor. I was Air Force in a reconnaissance squadron that flew RF4C Phantoms. One of my sons is a Marne stationed at 29 Palms, though. Rides an RC51.

My F3 is a non-CA model.

 

Oh ok that's still pretty cool in my book. And I reread the thread in the morning and saw your first sentence. Dammit! Oh well, I can take photos of how to remove the air solinoid (i did it on my f4) and so far I have had no negative effects. I know boyo in the f4 forums has removed his air solinoid as well and he has a better understanding of the benefits.

 

Here's the scoop: Today I did the air solenoid delete, even though it passed the manual-described troubleshooting test of switching at 12mph. This mod made a great improvement in performance at all ranges. As near as I can tell, the Honda engineers designed this system to manipulate vacuum and pressure levels in the carburetor system to improve mandated emissions ratings. I'm still interested in understanding it better, but for the time being, the project turned a corner today!

Now I can tell I have a cylinder misfire so the hunt is on for spark plug wires. Shooting for passing the emissions test next week.