This is an archived version of the Road Star Clinic. The Road Star Clinic can now be found at www.roadstarclinic.com. Please join us there!

Porting The Stock Manifold

Print
User Rating: / 25
PoorBest 
Written by Buck buck1@twmi.rr.com   
Friday, 11 June 2004

Reprinted by Permission from Mr Tidy's Tech Tips

(While Waiting For Greg's Manifold) 
Its not rocket science  !
Its really very simple - if you have the proper tool !! 

You need a variable speed Dremel tool with a course sandpaper covered cylinder that is about  ½" in diameter.  I use the one that came as part of the Dremel kit. Use the low speed setting.  This tool really "Hog's" off the rubber! Take it SLOW AND EASY !!! At least the first time.

Look inside the manifold and you will see some very "Abrupt" corners where the mixture is routed left and right to the cylinders.  Stick your finger in there and feel the thickness of the rubber at the corners.  My guess is that it's about  ¾" thick. Most of this can be removed with the Dremel.  Chamfer this sharp edge so as to have approximately a 1" radius.  The radius isn't that important! Just form a nice, smooth transition around those corners.

In your mind, visualize the fuel mixture flowing into the stock manifold.  Those abrupt , sharp corners disrupt the mixture as it makes a right or left hand turn into the intakes.  You can just picture the "Dead" areas where the mixture swirls around these sharp corners and creates turbulence.
 
This turbulence is the cause of problems and must be reduced.  Now visualize the fuel flowing around the smooth corners. Much more efficient!

The two pictures give you an example of what the manifold looks like now, and what it should look like after porting.

Click on any picture to enlarge.

Your going from this

To This

As you are grinding the rubber away , you will eventually come to the aluminum casting that feeds each cylinder. Don't panic ! This is where I usually stop, but I am sure you could go a bit farther.  Keep on checking the thickness of the rubber at those corners.  Do a bit on each side, alternating between sides.  Remember : If the rubber is cut too thin, your carburetor will fall off!  Not really, but don't go too far.

The idea here is to "Smooth" the flow of mixture as it splits left and right to each intake.  As you are grinding, constantly check that both sides are "EQUAL" in size. This is EXTREMELY important for a balanced fuel flow to each piston.  The shape and depth of cut MUST BE THE SAME on both sides !!  If not, your bike will veer left or right !!

This operation typically takes me less than 1/2 hour - being very careful to "Balance" the cuts.  Just hold a firm hand on the tool , and check often with your finger.  I hold the manifold in my left hand. You may find it easier to mount it in a vice.  Bright lighting is necessary to see where you are grinding.  I would not worry about smoothing  the surfaces too much.  It just won't buy  any performance improvement. Increasing the "Bore" diameter will not gain you any performance improvement. Just attack those sharp corners.  It's virtually impossible to mess up a manifold, as long as both sides are cut the same !!! 

Actually, nothing can be much worse than stock!

Hey guys, put another notch in your butt stock !! Just do it !! I promise you will feel the difference.
 

Buck   buck1@twmi.rr.com



Questions should be asked in our forum (Use discuss link below). The forum is very active and you stand a good chance of getting your questions answered there. If you would like to leave feedback for the author, or have additional information you think will benefit others, please use the comment section at the bottom of this page.

Discuss this article on the forums. (0 posts)


DISCLAIMER: This information and procedure is provided as a courtesy and is for informational purposes only.  Neither the publishers nor the authors accept any responsibility for the accuracy, applicability, or suitability of this procedure.  You assume all risks associated with the use of this information.  NEITHER THE PUBLISHERs NOR THE AUTHORs SHALL IN ANY EVENT BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, SPECIAL, INCIDENTAL, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, OF ANY NATURE ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH THE USE OR MISUSE OF THIS INFORMATION OR LACK OF INFORMATION.  Any type of modification or service work on your motorcycle should always be performed by a professional mechanic. If performed incorrectly, this procedure may endanger the safety of you and others on your motorcycle and possibly invalidate your manufacturer’s warranty.


Quote this article on your site | Views: 33448

  Comments (6)
Written by 7Dale31, on 12-19-2010 12:25
I used a Baron manifold that is race proven and then rejetted the carb better excelation and more on top end used to hammer it hard to pull past 75 but up to freeway speed"s with ease really a nice add on easier then porting and a lot better rubber material then stock manifolds I also have stock exhaust drill out to stage 2
Just finished porting my manifold
Written by Starkruzen, on 11-18-2010 17:11
I used my Dremel and the course round sanding wheel that came with the Dremel. It was very easy to do. It took about 10 minutes to do the porting. Very easy job. The hardest part of course is taking the manifold off and on. Not hard, just takes time. I feel some diference in pick-up but not allot
Porting the manifold
Written by blackaj, on 04-11-2008 23:41
Does this in anyway effect the stock jetting air fuel ratio? is re-jetting necessary?
porting
Written by cidd, on 01-22-2007 22:28
You say when you come to the aluminum casting thats where you stop.  
 
Than you say {If the rubber is cut too thin, your carburetor will fall off! Not really, but don't go too far.} 
If you grind through to the aluminum, what do you mean by { don't go to far } 
 
I have not taken this apart yet so Im not even sure what it looks like. I though it was the aluminum that had to be ported not a rubber part. 
 
Thanks
Sandpaper grade
Written by GRAM, on 08-30-2005 13:07
I use 80-100 grit when surfacing the ends of the manifolds I have done.  
 
Porting the stock manifold
Written by wildwilly, on 08-16-2005 15:49
what grade of sandpaper did you use? :roll

Only registered users can write comments.
Please login or register.

Powered by AkoComment Tweaked Special Edition v.1.4.6
AkoComment © Copyright 2004 by Arthur Konze - www.mamboportal.com
All right reserved

 
...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... ...................................................................... -->

The Road Star Clinic is a collaborative community of riders who archive and publish user contributed technical data about Yamaha Road Star motorcycles.

Copyright 2003-2007 Road Star Clinic and its respective authors.
<-- -->