Well, it's been a crazy, crazy path. As I ended the last thread, I was having what I thought was a manifold leak. Took it off and reinstalled with different sealant twice, each time but with the same result. After about 100 miles it would cough, sputter and lose power just after warm up. After you got through that, it would run fine. This was always on the 12 mile commute. I attributed this to somethings warming up at differing rates and going through a sealed/unsealed/sealed cycle. I didn't notice at the time, but it never did it on short trips. Went through the exhaust with a fine tooth comb and an incense stick. Found a bolt that was a bit loose. That reduced the backfiring, but still the power loss problems.

When Curt rejetted the carb for me, he noticed some dirt in the float bowl and said I should change the filter. I picked one up and stashed it away waiting for the tank to get low so that I could drain it and start fresh. Well, the power loss issue got progressively worse. As the low fuel light came on Tuesday, I decided to change the filter and drain the rest of the tank. The new filter is white plastic and looks almost like snow. When I removed the old one, it was a dark orange almost like UT Burnt Orange. My guess is it's the original with 32,000 miles on it. The ride Wednesday morning had a bit of a problem, but last night and this morning were great.

Curt and I spent a lot of time and sent a lot of messages pulling our hair out on this one. I'm ok, but Curt doesn't have a lot to lose!! I'm 95% confident that this is solved but will reserve the last 5% until I get through a tank or two. Bottom line here, CHANGE YOUR FUEL FILTER!!!

Gremlins are hard to catch. Glad you found this ones hide away.

Bike looks good with that intake!