It can happen to anyone, but that doesn’t make it any less disconcerting and dangerous: motorcycles backfiring can be caused by a number of problems in Las Vegas, NV. Backfiring can emit flames or damage your hearing, so you should avoid it as much as possible.
What causes a motorcycle to backfire? Generally, backfiring occurs when there’s uncombusted fuel in the exhaust pipe—here’s how that can happen and what you can do to fix it:
- Too much fuel: Your bike depends on a specific ratio of fuel and air to fuel the combustion process. If that ratio is off, you’re more likely to have a weak combustion process, and could damage your engine. This is sometimes referred to as “running rich.” If you have too much fuel in your cylinder, it’s almost always due to problems with the carburetor. Clean the carburetor and this issue should clear up. If not, take your motorcycle to the shop for your mechanic to look it over.
- Too little fuel: Too little fuel is also a big problem. This is called “running lean,” and it’s often due to dirty carburetor jets. You’ll need to dismantle your carburetor and clean it in hot, soapy water to get rid of any gelled gasoline. Be sure to avoid using ethanol in your bike, as it’s terrible for carburetors.
- Loose exhaust pipe: If your exhaust pipe is loose, it’s possible that the hot gas exhaust will be pushed through holes. This makes a loud backfiring noise, and can occasionally be dangerous. Tighten your exhaust headers and pipe with nuts and bolts.
- Short exhaust pipe: If your exhaust pipes are short—under 12 inches—you’re bound to have backfiring issues. It may also be illegal in your area. While they might look “cleaner,” they usually don’t come with a baffle. This makes your bike a lot louder and prone to backfiring. Get a removable baffle if you don’t want to change your pipe length.
- Intermittent spark: Sometimes your bike will only backfire in certain conditions, such as extreme weather or during certain maneuvers. If that’s the case, it may be due to a spark plug that won’t ignite all the time. Try to figure out when this occurs, then take your bike to the shop to have the experts fix it for you.
- Incorrect timing: Finally, your engine’s timing may be off. The timing needs to be perfect in order to coordinate fuel supply, ignition and combustion. Depending on what kind of bike you have, the problem may be with mechanical, electronic or manual timing. Many riders find it easier to take their bike to the shop to figure out the root of these issues.
If your motorcycle is backfiring in Las Vegas, NV, don’t hesitate to take it in for repairs. Backfiring is dangerous to both you and your motorcycle, so repairs shouldn’t wait.
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