Even more needles

[jboomer]

So, I followed RJ's post and nothing really made sense. I pulled my needle out of my KX and stamped on it is NAFF. The manual says this is the stock needle. But, it doesn't give any part number or anything to reference to choose a richer or leaner needle (my clip is in the top position and still runs rich at 1/2 throttle). So, I went to the kawasaki web site and looked up their needles and this is what I came up with:
16009 16009-1914 NEEDLE-JET,N3WD 1 (OPTION)
16009A 16009-1916 NEEDLE-JET,N3WF 1 (OPTION)
16009B 16009-1917 NEEDLE-JET,N3WG 1 (OPTION)
16009C 16009-1919 NEEDLE-JET,N3YD 1 (OPTION)
16009D 16009-1920 NEEDLE-JET,N3YE 1 (OPTION)
16009E 16009-1921 NEEDLE-JET,N3YF 1 (OPTION)
16009F 16009-1922 NEEDLE-JET,N3YG 1 (OPTION)

I'm guessing, according to what I understand from the other post, that either needle referencing an "F" at the end would be similar to mine. But, the "W" and the "Y" is throwing me off. Is either the "W" or the "Y" a half step leaner needle? How do you know which it is? If I buy the N3YE needle, is going to be the next full step leaner than my needle (assuming my needle is the equivalent of the N3YF or N3WF)? Since my needle is too rich in the top position, if I bought the next leaner needle then I would be in the adjustment range right? MXA in their May 2001 issue say they run a N3WE in their KX. But, Kawasaki.com doesn't show this as being offered in their parts diagram for the '01, but they do offer it under the '00. This is the same needle right?

How do you pull a needle number from this code? I know everyone's getting tired of seeing these posts, but jetting is so dang important -- yet they make it so dang difficult! Thanks for everyones help!

 

[jboomer]

Well, I was looking through the part diagram on the kawasaki website and found another section listing needles for my model. This is what they had:
16187 16187-1122 NEEDLE-JET,N3WC 1 (OPTION)
16187A 16187-1123 NEEDLE-JET,N3YC 1 (OPTION)
16187B 16187-1154 NEEDLE-JET,NALD 1 (OPTION)
16187C 16187-1155 NEEDLE-JET,NALE 1 (OPTION)
16187D 16187-1156 NEEDLE-JET,NALF 1 (OPTION)
16187E 16187-1157 NEEDLE-JET,NALG 1 (OPTION)
16187F 16187-1158 NEEDLE-JET,NALH 1 (OPTION)
16187G 16187-1159 NEEDLE-JET,NAFD 1 (OPTION)
16187H 16187-1160 NEEDLE-JET,NAFE 1 (OPTION)
16187I 16187-1161 NEEDLE-JET,NAFF 1
16187J 16187-1162 NEEDLE-JET,NAFG 1 (OPTION)
16187K 16187-1163 NEEDLE-JET,NAFH 1 (OPTION)

My NAFF needle is referenced in their as stock. In this case, the NAFE is the next leaner needle right? So, what would be the difference between the NAFE and the N3WE? Is the N3WE a triple tapered needle? If so, does this affect the power delivery of the bike? How so? Is the NAFE a single tapered needle? Now I'm really lost! Help!

PS -- I gotta get this right! My dealer want to charge me $27 for a frickin needle! I know MXSouth carries them for $5, but I can't decipher the codes.

PSS -- They're $19.95 from MXSouth, just called them. I guess Kawasaki has done something "weird" with their Keihin carbs. He said that because of the way they are built that aftermarket jets/needles sometimes won't work in them, so you HAVE to buy the factory jets. Anyone heard anything about this? Anyone tried an aftermarket needle or jet in this carb?

 

['00kx250spode]

I went around a few times jetting my 2000 KX310. I have several needles and I'd be glad to loan them to you so you can see what works.

Let me know which needles you're interested in. I have the W and Y versions (1/2 clip pos different) of N3xC through N3xF. I settled on the N3WE in the 2nd clip pos from the top.

 

[jboomer]

That's exactly what the MXA test ended up with. I know I'm too rich with the stock NAFF needle, just unsure which to go with the NAFE or the N3WE. How did this needle effect your bike? Did it change the power delivery any?

 

[bscottr]

Boomer,
Current Kawasaki needles have a triple taper in the KX. I've tried the double taper needles from carb warehouse with limited success. I did notice less “hit” with the double taper which isn’t all bad in the woods. But I’m still not satisfied. I ordered the NAFE needle last week to give it a try.

The NAFF needle is stock (as you stated) and the NAFE is a clip leaner. The NALF is a half clip richer than stock and the NALE a half clip leaner.

I’m not sure what the temps are currently in Pensacola, but I’ve found running a 158 main and 50 pilot works well for 65-90 degree temps here, then tune with the screw and clip position. For 50-65 degrees I’ll run a 52 (stock) pilot and drop the clip. Cooler than this, such as now, I’m running the stock setup 160 & 52. There other factors to consider, but this may give you a starting point to fine tune from.

Good Luck,
Scott

 

[jboomer]

I put the stock silencer on with my PC pipe (I think I told someone mine wouldn't fit, but it does and I hope they read this!) and it changed the jetting some. I did some plug chops yesterday and this is what I've come up with: 155 main (It may be a 158, I know I told the dealer the next smallest size, but I thought he said 155, I'll go check later) (gives me a quarter inch ring around the base of the plug porcelain), NAFF needle clip 2nd pos from top (30 second plug chop with about an 1/8" ring around the plug at half throttle) and 48 pilot. It's in the mid to upper 50's here, right at sea level. I still get tons of smoke at 1/4 to 1/3 throttle, but the bike actually runs crisp and I get near perfect throttle action (doesn't run or sound rich). I checked the reeds two nights ago and they are perfect. I've got the AS turned all the way out (2 or 3 turns is all it will go), so I imagine I could stand to drop the pilot a couple sizes (46 or 44?). So, I'm really close now. Thanks!

 

[bscottr]

Originally posted by jboomer
I still get tons of smoke at 1/4 to 1/3 throttle, but the bike actually runs crisp and I get near perfect throttle action (doesn't run or sound rich).

Crisp is great, throttle response is great and SMOKE is great too!


2 stroke baby. :yeehaw:

:)