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Hi, I have a 01 falco, not had it that long and have a few questions. What should it idle at? It's currently around 1.5k according to guage. Which I think is a little high.
When pulling in the clutch lever there seems to be like a point where it gets a little stiffer then goes back to normal almost like a clik halfway through the lever travel.
The very odd time you press the ignition button it doesn't seem to do anything, leave it a few seconds or move it and then it starts fine?
When pushing the bike when cold, normally in first with the clutch in it feels like something is stuck on, push it a little and then it feels fine.
What rpm do you typically cruise at? Around town in slow moving stuff it seems that there is a massive ratio difference between 1st and 2nd, so either end up revving quite high or insecond sounds like it's going to rattle to bits at low rpm.
Is it normal for neutral to be a pain in the bum to find when stationery and motor still running?
None of these things are causing any issues but would be nice to do some tweaking to get her set up a little better.

falcono wrote:Hi, I have a 01 falco, not had it that long and have a few questions. What should it idle at? It's currently around 1.5k according to guage. Which I think is a little high.
When pulling in the clutch lever there seems to be like a point where it gets a little stiffer then goes back to normal almost like a clik halfway through the lever travel.
The very odd time you press the ignition button it doesn't seem to do anything, leave it a few seconds or move it and then it starts fine?
When pushing the bike when cold, normally in first with the clutch in it feels like something is stuck on, push it a little and then it feels fine.
What rpm do you typically cruise at? Around town in slow moving stuff it seems that there is a massive ratio difference between 1st and 2nd, so either end up revving quite high or insecond sounds like it's going to rattle to bits at low rpm.
Is it normal for neutral to be a pain in the bum to find when stationery and motor still running?
None of these things are causing any issues but would be nice to do some tweaking to get her set up a little better.

I can get my Falco to idle at under 1300, but it takes a little tweaking to get that to happen. Sync the throttle bodies & such.

Clutch lever sticking? Never had it on mine, but I did have a seal in the slave cylinder jam preventing the engagement of the clutch. Food for thought.

Take that ignition switch off and give those contacts a good squirt of cleaner. The kill switch can be finicky as well.

Cruising RPM?? What is cruising?

Seriously, there's not much you can do with the ratios except change the final gearing. The countershaft sprocket and/or wheel sprocket. Are you still running stock gearing (16/41)? Drop in a 15 tooth countershaft sprocket and be amazed!

Yes, neutral is a pain. I usually attempt it while coming to a stop. Usually when the speed is below 10mph, but before stopping. Otherwise, seek out the #40 oil jet (search the forum, there's a thread for that somewhere).

Many thanks, I think it is on stock gearing, only had a few light mods such as derestrict, heated grips and different exhaust

If I remember correctly, the recommended idle speed is 1200 rpm. At present mine ticks over about 1500 and I'm not finding that a problem.

No idea about the clutch lever click - never seen that.

As Twinkie says, check contacts on starter button re not wanting to do anything when you press the starter.

Clutch can drag a bit which would explain the pushing when cold issue and part of the problem when trying to find neutral.
For neutral selection, check the clutch is bled well and you have enough travel on the lever (adjusting to minimum span doesn't help). The 40 oil jet is another thing that helps.

Riding through town I usually cruise between 2000 and 3500 rpm - mainly 2500 - 3000 I guess.
Here a 15/41 final transmission ratio helps as does good throttle body balance and a Gabro chip.

Hope this helps

At around 2000 if I give it quite a lot of throttle it sounds horrible until the revs pick up, is that normal?

falcono wrote:At around 2000 if I give it quite a lot of throttle it sounds horrible until the revs pick up, is that normal?

Why would you give it a lot of throttle around 2000 rpm? That's never going to work. At those low rpm we're talking finesse with the throttle.

If you want to give it a big handful then drop a couple of cogs - but that's hardly "cruising around town"

I probably worded that wrong, anything much above a slow acceleration and it no likey, above 3.5k and it's fine

As D said 2.5 to 3 k is quite manageable for rolling along and slight acceleration suitable for in traffic situations. Cracking the throttle open at those revs is not going to be kind the the big ends and main bearings etc. and will not feel good either. There is a rpm to throttle opening proportional relationship you need to respect for smooth progress.

Cruising revs I always reckon is around the tourgue peak which on a Falco is more a plateau, between 6 and 9k, so on standard gearing from 105 mph up. Another reason why it doesn't hurt to reduce the gearing some so 6k is a little over 90...[/i]

My two pence

Mine idles at 1000.

I generally cruise at around 4 - 5k unless in top gear and going quicker than that.

Around town. Especially centres, 20 mph-ish. Yes it will do that if you're not smooth with the throttle. I think any bike will it's just more pronounced on a two cylinder bike than a four.

Thanks guys n gals