1980 440 drifter bogging bad - need help

[Checkmarks]

Running the smaller gear (17 top gear) is likely not to any advantage.  Sure theoretically you would accelerate faster at least that is the concept.  Because of the differences in horsepower you will much more likely just be spinning your track outrunning your traction.  It may be cool to light your automobile tires on pavement but in the race, you lost while your competitor smokes you to the 1/4 mile marker never spinning his tires.

[arcticcat941]

Is this judging from experience or just your opinion? I'm racing on a track where acceleration is more important rather than speed. Dont have a blower sticking out the hood so I Dont think I'll have a problem with all the horsepower causing it to just spin.

[Lloyd (ljm)]

 I would agree with Checkmarks. You will experience traction issues. I wouldn't trade your sprocket and chain. You should try it and see which combo works better.

 I will look and see if I have any 17 tooth sprockets.

 New ones are still available and not much money.

 Lloyd

[arcticcat941]

I ended up ordering it and I'm going to try it next Thursday at the practice and see how it is otherwise I'll change it back. I should mention to that I put a new carburetor on it and it runs great now on flat and up thehill . Good thing I didn't change the crank seals and be stuck in same spot. That'll be a summer project. Also does anyone have jetting issues with temperature changes? If so Anyone got a good chart telling you what yo use?

[gixxer6]

Glad to hear you got it running good!  Must've been something with the float/fuel level...  Good luck with the 30 year old crank seals, I hope they hold til spring.  Let us know how the gearing works out for you. 

[arcticcat941]

Installed the 17tooth top sprocket over the stock 21tooth sprocket today and alls I can say is holy crap. I didn't have any traction issues but holy hell does the thing move now. It probably wouldn't do so good to trail ride but racing it like I am I think I'm going to love it. It was pulling skis off ground pretty easy. Kinda scared me a little. Just would like to thank everyone that's gave me advice so far. I'll keep you guys posted on how it performs at the race next weekend!

[kawhead]

a good running drifter will pull the skis no problem with stock gearing.....and you should see no major change in jetting till 35/40 degrees f from what i've seen.....

[JRock]

Hey There!!!!  Great post and i hope you get this reply!

I just bought the vm32-33 mikuni carb for my 1980 kawi drifter 440. I have to ask you, did you just take it out of the box, put it on, and adjust the idle? Or did you have to get all the right jets, needles, needle jets, and pilot jets?

I am new to carbs and this is my first restoration sled. I got it free, put all new seals, rings and pistons on. 160 psi in each cylinder. ready for the carb but big learning curve!!!!!!!

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Thanks in advance