Torque Cones?????

[krooozn]

I was talking with my neighbor today and we were discussing the fact that my trike still does a tremendous amount of backfiring, popping, etc. He told me that I probably didn't have any torque cones installed in my exhaust when they put the straight pipes on. The pipes do have baffles, but he said that they probably weren't enough to get the back pressure where it needs to be, he also said that if there wasn't enough back pressure it would cause the backfiring, etc but it would also cause my valves to burn up.

Do any of you use these cones and if so, do they help. Basically what I need to know is does it sound like he knows what he is talking about? I have got to figure out something, the bike runs fairly strong, but it does stilll want to hesitate on throttle...and does seem to do less backfiring when I leave it on partial choke....I am planning on getting it into a shop soon, but want to know what might be going on....no harm intended here, but mechanics do tend to try to take advantage of women when we bring in a vehicle, so I always like to go a little prepared.

Thanx so much for any advice you can offer me on this.....

Anita:yes:

 

[Triker Mike]

Never heard of them.Are you positive you don't have an exhaust leak? That will cause what you describe on deceleration

 

[Baz]

If you have freed up the breathing ( inlet & or exhaust ) from stock then you will be running too lean. The fact that it runs better with a little choke also indicates this. Inlet or exhaust leaks can give you similar effects but I'm sure you will find the fueling is too lean. Have it retuned and/or fit a Cobra FI 2000 or Power Commander or similar device.

 

[Ol' Grey]

Torque cones are installed in the headers where the headers attach to the exhaust ports. Cones can provide "some" back pressure in the lower rpm range, but they're more suited for "anti-reversion" and are a popular item with Harley owners, some use 'em, some don't. "Reversion" is where some of the exiting exhaust gases sometimes go in a reverse direction right around the exhaust ports and re-enter the combustion chamber, diluting the mixture in the combustion chamber. A better enhancement of back pressure would be the use of baffles (which you have).

Did you have the backfiring, popping, etc. before installing the straight pipes as well as after installing them ? Do you have a more free-flowing air cleaner on the trike ? As Triker Mike pointed out, backfiring & popping are more often caused by exhaust or carb manifold leaks or by a too lean mixture going into the combustion chamber from the carb.

Rather than using torque cones, I'd be more inclined to check for air leaks and/or re-jetting the carb, especially if you have a more free-flowing air cleaner (unknown)