FE550 set up/break in advice

I will be picking up my 2005 FE550 in the next couple of weeks. I was hoping that I could get some input from the members of this site on set up and break in. I know that there has been alot of stuff posted and I will run some searches, but I thought I could start this thread anyway so people could post whatever gems of wisdom they may have. I am interested in anything people may have to say.

The bike is new in the crate...never started. One concern I have is about breaking in the engine properly in cold weather. This area is at sea level and the winter temperatures run between 0 degrees celcius and minus 30. The bike will probably be run for the first times on the frozen lakes and rivers in this area.

Fryguy....you talked to me a little bit about jetting and changing the fork springs. Can you verify what you told me?

Here is the way I was taught to break in an engine, but unfortunately all of my bikes were already broken in.
Mototune

Maybe a bit of cardboard in front of the rad would help in the colder temps.
I'm sure some better advice will follow soon.

Coffin

Run a 42 pilot and the OBDVR needle. Start in the 4th clip and check from there. That is summer setting that my Polish bike had so use in the winter will need more fuel. The manual states 6th clip and the same main jet as the Fe for the Fc, 182. So either way the needle is a neccessary change.

The fork springs are 4.2s and they need to be a little stiffer so they don't dive while deccelerating. Don't go stiffer than 4.4, and even try one 4.4 and one 4.2 to see how you like it. If you overspring the fork, it'll turn like very other bike on the planet, which is not good. My Polish 550 had 4.6 in the front and an 88 in the rear. The thing cornered like a demon, totally predictable, but it was too harsh. Point is to keep the balance while trying to keep it from diving.

Order the adj mixture screw and the shorty clutch lever from the Force parts catalog. The lever clear barkbusters better and the screw is obvious.

And since your spending money, opt for the 06 tank adn the fan kit. And get the ......


fry

Kelso...Great link. Thank you very much.

Fry...Thanks for the tips. I did get the 06 tank. What about gearing?

I am mostly wondering if there are any voodoo rituals with cold weather break-in. I want to make sure this engine gets broken in properly. I'm still traumautized from grenading too many strung out 2 strokes on the ice in years past.

Considering the extreme climate may I suggest:
You alter the jetting, select your oil wisely and pre heat the engine prior to starting.

Install a coolant temperature gage and maintain above 160 degree farenheit.

Regards,
Dale

[email protected]
510 223-9052

Thanks Dale. Any specifics on oil weights or the jetting? I was just reading one of your posts on oil. I like the sound of the temp guage. Any dos or donts with setting up the gauge?

I will look forward to the day I can save enough pennies to ship you the engine so you can spin some magic into it. Until then I probably need to spend my money on a skid plate, rad guards, etc... :?

Coffin said:

Thanks Dale. Any specifics on oil weights or the jetting? I was just reading one of your posts on oil. I like the sound of the temp guage. Any dos or donts with setting up the gauge?

I will look forward to the day I can save enough pennies to ship you the engine so you can spin some magic into it. Until then I probably need to spend my money on a skid plate, rad guards, etc... :?

Click to expand...

"More Fuel For Fire" (pun intended) :lol:
I strongly suggest my Jet Kit. Why? Because it works.

Jet Kit Specifications:
Reverse #49 pilot fuel jet
Adjustable pilot air screw
#150 main fuel jet
Lineaweaver metering rod

Warning:
Do not attempt to use a #150 main fuel jet with "any" OEM Husaberg Metering Rod.

Engine Oil:
link

Temperature Sensor Placement:
Water out, pre thermostat.

Note:
160 degrees will keep the piston from "cold siezing" under load. 180 to 200 most often provides peak power.

Hope this helps.

Kind Regards,
Dale

Another problem you are apt to encounter in cold temps is that the suspension is going to seem really stiff at first until the oil warms up a bit. Heck I have that problem when it's in the 30's and my bike has been travelling in the wind in the truck for a couple of hours.

Be sure and run a full synthetic oil such as a 5W-50 or 60 in such cold temps. I ran the Motorex 10W60 in colder temps out here, 32F to 15F. This will help during starting as the oil will flow much easier. You might leave the gas off, and kick the bike through numerous times (12?) To be sure that the oil has been pushed through the motor. Then KICK start the bike and don't rev it, just let it idle for a bit until the radiators feel warm to the touch. Then, just follow what the owners manual says, no more than 50% throttle and keep the revs low for the first three hours. Go to the downloads section of the Husaberg.se site and you should be able to find the breakin procedure. I used this procedure for my 04 bike, and it is running strong some 65 hours and 1500 miles later.

In fact you might just for the heck of it check your anti freeze with an antifreeze hydrometer to make sure it won't freeze up on ya. I ran my original anti freeze for a short time then flushed the system and put in fresh.

I think the temp gauge is a really good suggestion in such extreme conditions.

My current set up as far as carbeuration goes is a 42 pilot, DVR needle on #5, with the stock main jet which is a 182 I think. And an adjustable fuel screw that you get from various places, mine is a SCR, but others make them for the FCR carb like Ty Davis, or Scott's. I would be willing to bet that you're going to want at least a 45 pilot.

Good luck!!

Re: Something for every taste

For those truly "Arctic" conditions may I suggest "Full Synthetic" DELO 400:

http://library.cbest.chevron.com/lubes/ ... 9a0079d45e

Should he be running synthetic for breakin?
I thought only Dino oil should be used for that.

kelsow said:

Should he be running synthetic for breakin?
"I thought only Dino oil should be used for that".

Click to expand...

Such has proven time and again to be a fallacy.

Sincerely,
Dale

says it all. two men ya respect. one says 182 and the other says 150. it's enough to make you laugh!

i run a 35/38 PJ and everyone else runs a 42-50. what a FUW we live in.

we all agree on DVR being a good needle and indeed my DMS is just a thou larger on the needle straight but the bloody thing is 6 clips too rich!

excuse me while i go invent the wheel again!

back in a while then....

Taffy

All good stuff. Thanks guys. Keep it coming.

Taffy said:

says it all. two men ya respect. one says 182 and the other says 150. it's enough to make you laugh!

i run a 35/38 PJ and everyone else runs a 42-50. what a FUW we live in.

we all agree on DVR being a good needle and indeed my DMS is just a thou larger on the needle straight but the bloody thing is 6 clips too rich!

excuse me while i go invent the wheel again!

back in a while then....

Taffy

Click to expand...

Different paths to a common ground?
The clip most often resides in the middle with my kit. :idea:
How did that happen? Just lucky I guess. :lol:

Kind Regards,
Dale

PS
The Pilot fuel screw most often comes to rest 1.5 turns out from seated.
Strange, in the middle again. :lol:

Feedback from the happy owner of an '05 FS650c:
Fueling "out of the crate new" sucked, bike misfired, backfired on decel, wouldnt "idle" below 2000 rpm, just generally nastyness.
Fast forward to install of One of Mr. Lineaweaver's magic kits.....Wundabar! It literally transformed the entire nature of the ridability of the bike (I hope that last sentence made sense!)
Just one guys experience,
-Rocky-

P.S. I'm also @ sea level.

I agree, you can't go wrong with Dale's jet kit. He installed one on my '05 FE550 last week and the bike runs flawlessly.

Giddy Up!! Just picked her up this afternoon. Can't wait to get some time on it.

Cheers

Hey congrats. I especially like the OCC sissy bar you added. :twisted: cool

So what goodies did you get for it?

Fry,

I have the 2006 plastic and gas tank on their way to me. I also ordered the "high" seat as recommended by Taffy and others and the Husa skid plate...not the glide plate. You can see in the pics that it has the Akro exhaust and you can also see the ice tires in the bed of my truck.

I stocked up on some misc. stuff like air and oil filters and got a fist full of jets. I would also like to order a Lineweaver carb kit and get the rad guards from the BOSS.

I think that is everything so far. I still have to order the 4.4 fork springs and I forgot about the fancy mixture adjustment screw.

Cheers