How do you balance the throttle bodies on a K8?

Richard one of our techs says it actually looks very similar, more like they have copied the SDS. Im not aware though whether the SDS has anymore functions or not as I dont personally use the SDS and no one here has used the healtech version.

The SDS though is very expensive for us to buy so handy to know about the healtech version.

[Nobbylad]

Originally Posted by SV650Racer

Yeah the general charge to a ****somer (sorry had to get that in there somewhere LOL) is 0.5hr to 1 hour.

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I tell you what would be nice to know is how this tool Nobby's bought compares to the OEM SDS tool.

(#hinthint Sarah# )

To be honest, I had considered pm'ing Sarah to ask about the process etc. From what I've read on the net and in the Dealer service manual, you can't accurately balance the TB's without setting the ISC and you can only do that with a suitable ODB/OEM SDS tool.

The dealer was being quite open saying it's a PITA and that he wouldn't mind doing stuff like this to his own bike on a weekend, however to do it in the workshop, you're paying for hourly rate etc. I appreciate the bike has to be in a certain temperature range to do the check/balance properly, however anything over 1-2hrs is a urine extraction.

The ODB tool I've bought should deffo do the job and if others want to 'borrow' it for some beer tokens, everyone's a winner. Except of course for the dealers who won't be getting the service work. That said, I am not knocking all dealers etc and I'm quite happy learning how to service my bike with the caveat/understanding that I may miss something or screw it up. However, I'm happy taking the risk, whereas others would quite rightly prefer to pay their money for the perceived reassurance of a dealer doing the work. Again, not all dealers are out to rip you off/deliver poor service, however not all dealers will give you a full, proper service and charge you only what is required.

I know this discussion is done to death on here and probably every other bike forum, but I have had 1st hand experience of dealers not doing all the service checks and also smaller, independent bike shops not checking stuff properly when you've specifically asked them to. So, I'm quite happy doing most stuff myself and learning from others as well as I go along. You pays your money, you takes your chances!

[yorkie_chris]

I'd be interested in having a mess around with this tool, if it's as good as the site suggests then I'll buy one.

[Nobbylad]

Originally Posted by SV650Racer

Richard one of our techs says it actually looks very similar, more like they have copied the SDS. Im not aware though whether the SDS has anymore functions or not as I dont personally use the SDS and no one here has used the healtech version.

The SDS though is very expensive for us to buy so handy to know about the healtech version.

I should try and sell you the Chinese carp tool that I originally bought....which basically amounts to a plug that fits over the dealer service plug and has a switch at the other end which effectively is the same as the inch of wire most people use to put the bike into dealer mode

My belief is the Healtech tool does exactly the same as the SDS, including the ABS functions, however if it only helps with the ISC setting, it's still worth the money in my eyes.

Isn't the SDS tool around £500-700 or summat daft like that?

[Nobbylad]

Originally Posted by yorkie_chris

I'd be interested in having a mess around with this tool, if it's as good as the site suggests then I'll buy one.

Why? You could borrow mine for a tenner or some suspension twiddling!

[Nobbylad]

OK - my gadget has arrived, who is local to me that can lend me a carbtune?

[Nobbylad]

Update time!

Used the tool today to successfully balance the throttle bodies. Quite straightforward really.

Get the bike up to temp (80c) using the tool to monitor engine temp. Take off the airbox, set the ISC control valve to ON, adjust throttle body air screws until balanced, reset the ISC value, turn off, leave for a few mins then idle for a minute or so.

Looks like the tool has loads of scope for monitoring/diagnostics, with real time graphing and the ability to save data etc. Plus is nifty for clearing faults.

Still not sure it's worth £150 for the average punter, but if it costs that for a dealer to do it, maybe it's worth it.

[Nobbylad]

Bike is much smoother after balancing. I was getting loads of vibrations recently to the point where I was getting pins and needles after 20mins riding. Very smooth now.

Just wondering if there's any other way to do the balancing without the tool?

I think all it does is negate the idle speed control valve, so would disconnecting it from the bike before doing the synchronisation work?

[Bibio]

cool, so it works. might just have to invest in one

i think the tool locks the valve so it cant self adjust itself. i think disconnecting it would stop the bike from running. could be wrong though.

i take it you took the airbox lid off and not the whole airbox?

how much was the throttle bodies out by?

Originally Posted by Bibio

how much was the throttle bodies out by?

And, if I may add, after what sort of mileage?