If you haven't heard it, there is a basic difference of principle between the Lectron carb and conventional design. Basically, the needle shape and relationship to the slide causes a pressure or velocity difference similar to an aircraft wing and affects the fuel mixture because of the amount of fuel lifted.... oh-just read here: http://www.lectronfuelsystems.com/technical.html I have had two 1/2+ hour talks with Kevin from Lectron and reading what I can, have a understanding (basic) of how altitude/temp compensating of this type of carb works. I can't believe they haven't caught on here sooner and I remember hearing about them way back when and thought-oh, just another gimmick.
I know -- it seems really well thought out. I guess what I'd like to hear is that there are little to no manual "adjustments" i.e. jetting required. I think I understand the principals -- what I haven't seen is any affirmative statements that the Lectron doesn't require manual altitude/air density compensation -- if it does that automatically I am sold. So... does this thing erase jetting concerns?
I think this is mainly because it was marketed and setup to drag racers and snowmobilers. They have done a lot of work on the rod to make it run good bottom to top instead of just be a top end carb. The end result is we not have a super simple carb that brings many advantages though lots of dyno hours and machine testing.
These are not coming setup 100% like I wanted, check this post I just made. We are sorting it out. http://www.cafehusky.com/threads/lectron-carbs-for-huskys-available-now-at-motosportz.29763/page-2
The bike had a Mikuni on it when I got it in May, rode it for a couple months then put a JD jetted Keihin on it. The bike runs real good with the Keihin but I had to try the Lectron.
After putting ~45 miles on the lectron 38mm, all I can say is wow. Sooo smooth but sooo much. I can say that the 38 gives away nothing to the 36 in bottom end response and crispness. I was constantly riding one to two gears higher than last year in the same terrain. If I rode in the same gears as last year I had to be really on top of things or I was going to get launched. It certainly didn't require to ride in that high a gear but that was just where the bike easily pulled really nasty climbs with roll off and roll back on ability and smoothness. If I was one or two gears lower and did the same thing I really had to be on my toes or the motor would launch me up the climb way to fast for this fat old guy. Fuel consumption at this point seems to be ~20% better but will check everyday to get an average.
I fitted my Lectron today, took a fair bit of heaving and tugging to get it between the boots. fuel on choke on and start kicking and kicking and kicking and kicking and kicking ! pull plug and its soaked ! fit new plug and start kicking and kicking and kicking! pull plug -soaked, lower metering rod and resume kicking and kicking and kicking !! Pulled and heaved to get the thing removed from the boots and tossed it on my scrap pile thats awaiting the smelting pot ! Refitted PWK held throttle wide open and it chuffed into life in a burbling flooded smoky mess in two kicks Moral of the story -- Dont buy old Lectrons from Ebay LOL Will now be getting a brand spanking new one as I cannot be bothered to fart about with what turns out to be the older version with the different slide/metering rod adjuster Tried to test another pipe but due to the deep snow 6th gear wheel spinning fun at 15mph is all I could achive !! Oh well looks like its time for a beer and order up a carb
great feedback Walt, thanks. Yes these carbs seem to love lugging and take big throttle openings even when your a gear or two high well and actually seems to like it. I finally got to ride where there were huge hills to climb and the lugging power and top end were amazing.
It might be worth your time to write down any numbers/letters you can find on the various parts and emailing Kevin at Lectron and see if it can work for your intended application.
Kelly said he could sort the needle/metering rod out for me, but in all honesty the carb is not even fitted with a idle screw or has a drilling for it so by the time I get the remote fuel screw, slide, metering rod, drill and tap the body its not worth the effort and believe me I love to tinker but this time its not worth the effort and on a plus side I will have a spare set of screws and float bowl LOL On a side note does anybody know if a pre 09 air boot will fit the later bikes??? as this may help the tight fit somewhat
We got a nice weather break over the last couple days and I finally got to ride the 165 with the Lectron.... I have to say "Wow"! I finally "get" my 165, it works and rips like it never has with the RB'd mikuni. It's all been said here before and while I'm not a big poster on here (read everything, about all of it and love learning) I had to write and give a big thumbs up to this upgrade. If you're on the fence, don't go to Starbucks for a month and buy one with the $ saved. Tuning-wise, I had to lean the metering rod a full turn to get it right, otherwise, kick and go.
Thanks for chiming in. Glad you like it. I'm really glad people are liking this as much as I do because I feel I kinda stuck my neck out recommending them and all the people that wanted them. Now we have 5-6 solid customer reports of loving them all is good. As for the rich yep, they all seem to be coming on the rich side. I spoke with Kevin again today and he will send them out slightly leaner. He likes to error on the rich side as everyones setup is different and with a few quick twists of the rod your good to go. Once you get it where you like it there is nothing left to do but play with the adjustable powerjet. These run fantastic and i am just now finding out that they are also freaking FAST on the top end. - Smooth response bottom to top with no glitches - way more lugging power (grab a hand full, it likes it) - pulls taller gearing - responsive - Blistering top end (even with the 36) - Set the rod and enjoy Whats not to like? thanks man. K
so can I conclude than that the 38 is the ticket to go for ? if the bottom and mid is not effected between the two but the 38 is pulling another 1000 rpm hidden reserve out of the engine at the top range it would overall be the superior of the 2. Robert-Jan
Got to ride the 01 360 with Lectron today, 35 deg. F about 5000'. Made a very good motor even better, pulls stronger everywhere but is still controlled. Conditions were about 50% snow and ice with a little mud thrown in and it was easy to pull a gear or 2 higher. Got to do a couple of hills and again it pulls real strong. I am going to lean it out a little as I rode it as delivered, I have not done the air boot or reed block mod. I had to remove about 3/8" of the throttle cable sheath to get some slack but the install was no hassle. I would most likely run this carb even if there were no performance gains just because of the simplicity. Thanks to all who have given honest reviews and given us a new reason to .
Another way to solve the "not enough slack" issue, is to remove the outer adjuster that is supplied by Lectron and drill down into the threads of the adapter with a 1/4' drill, (end mill if you have one) the amount you need and do the slack adjustment at the handlebar. That way a stock cable can be used when replacement time comes.
