1988 Exciter bogging problem, any suggestions?

JCHoefer

New member
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
5
Age
52
Location
Glenville, NY
All last year we've been fighting a problem with bogging on a 1988 Exciter (EX570). A lot of frustration and swearing has been caused by this sled and we're just hoping for a resolution of some sort. Here's the details.

The last trip (mid March) was relatively long (61 miles). The trails were pretty smooth, so we were able to keep up the speed (averaging 15 MPH). After about 40 miles of trails, they started getting a little too bumpy and we had to slow down. Up until this point the machine had bogged once, but we figured it was a fluke. But after dinner, at the Oxbow Inn, the Exciter started acting up again.

It seems to happen after/during stretches of slow riding or if we let the sled idle. Mike (the owner, my father-in-law) has been careful to shut down the sled when we stop. If he doesn't the RPMs will drop to less than 600 on the tach. If that happens, it's a sure bet the sled will bog when you try to move.

After all the riding Mike's done with this problem, he's figured out how to get the sled moving again. Usually, when it's bogged, he can slowly get the RPM's up to around 3000 and then gun it. When it works, the sled takes off like nothing is wrong. If he can keep the RPMs up, it won't happen again.

Unfortunately, we were now riding at night through rough trails, so going slow was the only way to ride.

We got to Bearpath Inn and had a snack, hoping that letting the Exciter cool off would help. Unfortunately it didn't. Once we got back out on the trails, it was bogged down again. By the time we reached Evergreen Lake, the Overheat light had come on. This is the first time we've ever seen this. We let the sled cool down for 5 minutes and through some extra snow on the heat exchangers (though the snow was plenty loose to hit it while riding.)

Once Mike started it, it was fine. We did a fast run across the lake (50+ MPH) without any problem. Even climbing the hill (which had been an issue all day) was easy....though he drove up it quickly.

So again we're at a loss. We've spent over $1000 trying to figure out why it's doing this. Here's a list of the repairs so far:
  • Clutches Cleaned & Adjusted
  • New Belt
  • Carburetors Cleaned
  • Decompressors Removed
  • Bearing Seals Replaced
  • New Pulser Coil
  • New Source Coil
  • New Stator Plate
  • New Ignition Coil
  • New Plug Wires & Boots
  • CDI Box swapped (twice)
  • Fuel Pump Cleaned & Tested

Any ideas?
 

I had the same problem on a 87 and the inlet needle on the carbs are not seating and letting to much gas flow....only guess I have for you but if fixed my bogging 87 exciter with the same issues.
 
Sounds like a possible carburation problem. Your bog appears to be at 1/4 throttle and the machine is overheating (lean). First check proper float bowl adjustment then check your air adjustment screw, start at 1/4 turn out and check for bog (increasing gradually, not to exceed three turns out). If it's still to lean at quarter turn or lower, replace the pilot jet.

As always, checking the plugs is an essential way to monitor carb health.
 
bog

The Exciter's in our area had bogging problems and were a result of the choke plungers not seating properly and the 88/89s had too small of a pilot jet. You stop the sled hot and it started like it was flooded,if it started and then it wouldn't leave till it cooled down a whole bunch. bogged like crazy. Try huge pilots and strech springs and clean seat for your choke. These sleds also had a carb harmonics problem which caused huge burndown problems unlike the 87s which had the oval shaped butterfly carbs. Great sled for the times, first sled I put a 141 on.
 
thinking back

When your riding slow down the trail 4-5000 Rs slowly pull on the choke and see what happens. Try it where you have the problem then you will know if your lean. Mine would pick up speed at low throttle openings by using the choke.
 


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