Breaking in new 416!

[Miami_Vice454]

so i got my quad back, mods in sig. anyway he told me to go through a full tank around half throttle then start going to 3/4 and by the end of 2nd tank, i can hit it. what do you guys think. i already did one tank at half throttle. should i just hit now or keep going?

[slightlybent47]

I’d say stick to the plan.

[CJM]

stick with plan, if you dont the rings on the piston wont seat right.

did they mention changing the oil at all between intervals?

[Miami_Vice454]

yea i planned on sticking with the plan anyway lol. and yes they told me change the oil between intervals. after i go today i will do it.

[honda400ex2003]

I went by this for the most part,
http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm

three cycles of 15 minute practice track type of riding varying rpms and such throughout and havent had any problems for almost 3 years. steve

[ish416]

First thing, let the engine warm itself up before you go and ride. Give it about 5 minutes or so.

Ride it like you want to but, try staying in the 1/4 to 3/4 throttle range with the occasional full throttle past 3/4.

Also, try just running the engine to high rpm in 3rd, 4th and 5th gears and then let the quad decelerate on its own down to about half the engines max rpm.

Do that a few times then park it for about 20 minutes. Fire it back up, do the same thing.

After the second tank of fuel, change your oil and let her rip.

[jasonwayne222]

I completely agree with ish, going past half throttle isnt going to hurt it a bit, you just dont want to overwork the engine before its all broken in, so take it easy when u go past half throttle, when u change your oil your going to see small metal flakes, thats normal, but until you change the oil without seeing any metal flakes just continue taking it easy, give it wot for a sec or two here and there and let it cool inbetween cycles, a good sign that your motor is done breakin in is when u see no metal flakes or little sparkles in the sun in ur oil, breakin in is simply ur parts wearin in to each other and the rings seating, which is were the metal sparkles u see in the sun come from.

[-TheDude-]

ride it like you stole it, if its gonna break its gonna break the way you ride everyday, not cruising around the parkinglot

[Miami_Vice454]

well i finished braking it in. i actually did close to what ish416 said. running great. changed oil and then raced a 450r with filter jetted and up 2 teeth sproket and he only got me by 1 1/2 to 2 bikes. whoopped 2 other 400exs by about 3 bikes and raced a kfx 400. the kfx took off about 1 bike through 1,2,3 then we evened in 4 and i passed him in 5. so i would say its running pretty good.

[gtt416ex]

when i broke mine in, i had to break the cam in first. i started it, and held it at about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle for one minute(that polishes the cam lobes. then i rode it around for five or six hours not getting any higher than 1/2 throttle. after i burnt the firt tank through it i started getting after it. it's held up great for almost a year, still no smoke. and if the engine gets really hot, don't freak out, that's just because its in the break in period

[Miami_Vice454]

when i broke mine in, i had to break the cam in first. i started it, and held it at about 1/4 to 1/2 throttle for one minute(that polishes the cam lobes. then i rode it around for five or six hours not getting any higher than 1/2 throttle. after i burnt the firt tank through it i started getting after it. it's held up great for almost a year, still no smoke. and if the engine gets really hot, don't freak out, that's just because its in the break in period

that makes me feel better because i did it just like you lol

[gtt416ex]

do you have any way of reading how hot your motor is running?

[Miami_Vice454]

no i dont but i can feel that it is not getting too hot. there was also 20 mph winds that helped it though lol. since it was rebuilt the times i rode it was like that (this weekend).

[honda400ex2003]

looking at the plug is the best reading of how an engine is running. steve

[Miami_Vice454]

looking at the plug is the best reading of how an engine is running. steve

i wouldn't totally agree its the BEST way but it is a GOOD way.

[honda400ex2003]

what would you say is the best way without taking it all apart? steve

[Miami_Vice454]

what would you say is the best way without taking it all apart? steve

a dyno. best way to tune a bike. you cna hook upthings to tell you temperature, air/fuel ratio, etc. and yes i know most people dont have the money nor have access for a dyno, so that is why i said "good" for plug chop because thats the best way at your house, but "best" way out of everything.

[Miami_Vice454]

**, but NOT best way out of everything.