Poirot

Thanks for your response. I figure I'm going to go ahead and try using a piece of close fitting dowel as a temporary blanking tool. I'll leave it in there for the absolute minimum amount of time while I synch the carbs. At worst it might get a little charred. I've built myself a 4-channel manometer using some bits and pieces I picked-up on eBay, and I've rigged-up an old drink bottle as a temporary fuel tank, so we're all sytems go. I'll let you know how it works out. The debate for and against long-term YICS blanking seems to be about equally balanced. Sure is hard to fathom !

I've got a couple of issuess regarding blanking of the YICS while balancing carbs, any advice much appreciated ; 1. I read somewhere that at a pinch, you might be able to use a 10cm wooden dowel, cut to the appropriate length, as a temporary blanking tool. I realise that it might get quite hot, but then the same goes for the rubber seals on a more sophisticated device. 2. Some owners suggest that they get better performance if the YICS port is permanently blanked, on the basis that it was only ever implemented to meet stringent US emission regulations. Many thanks.

I'm pretty new here, so bear with me. I'm sure this must have already been covered but I'm not smart enough to find the thread. I'm changing the oil filter for the first time, having recently acquired a 1994 XJ900F. It appears that the housing is about 4mm too wide to slip out between the downpipes. The manual I have to hand (covering models '83 - '90) says I have to remove the no.2 downpipe. I've read elsewhere that I should be able to 'twist it to one side first - you don't have to take the pipes off'. Any advice much appreciated. I don't want to remove the no. 2 downpipe unless I really have to. Many thanks.

The cheapest set of carburetor inlet rubbers I can find are on wemoto.com at about 83GBP. Does anyone know of a cheaper alternative ? I get the impression that these things are hard to find on the second-hand market. Any opinions/advice would be much appreciated. Thx.

I've just bought a 1994 Yamaha XJ900F (4BB) as a non-running winter project. I got it home on the back of trailer, topped-up the oil and connected it to my car battery. Sure enough, it started first time ! It sounds a little rough, but after 115,000km who wouldn't ? New battery and spark plugs arrive today. We'll see if that makes any difference. I have the opportunity to buy a complete spare engine with just 44,000km on the clock .... a good idea ? It seems cheap at 100 euros. Please advise. Thx.