-LadyDirt-
Active VIP Member
Before any rider (or racer) starts monekying with jetting or the gas/oil ratio - they should do a plug check. Knowing what is causing the plug to foul will allow you to determine what the fix for the fouling plugs is - too much oil or jetting. I'm always hesitant to cut back on the oil ratio, a standard 2 stroke ratio for anything from race bikes to weedeaters and chainsaws is about 40:1. Anything in the 30:1 to 50:1 range is fine IMO, but I would never go higher than 50:1 in any 2 stroke I own.
Not running enough oil will toast your motor and leaning down your bike because it is fouling plugs at idle is not a good idea unless they are certain it's the idle fuel circuit and not the main fuel circuit. Give your bike as much oil as it will take without fouling plugs when jetted correctly IMO. I have over 3000 kms on my one sled motor, popped the head off and measured the bores this year, new clearance on the pistons to the bore was 0.0039", I'm at 0.0040". Wear limit is 0.0048". Virtually no wear after 3000 kms and I use a regular everyday oil (Shell Advance regular - not the synthetic), not a fancy oil. Its about how much you use - not the type IMO. People who skimp out on oil typically wind up with motors as expensive paperweights. A well oiled motor is a happy motor.
I agree, I usually run 45:1..seems to work just fine but like we pointed out earlier, my bike only fouled plugs when it was idling so now that I learnt that I dont let my bike idle and it doesnt foul, but just for precaution my mechanic is going to have a look at the jetting now anyway just to make sure. I was running my bike richer with oil because I was just breaking in the motor, but I think if i bump it up to 45-50:1 it should be ok. I really dont ride my bike very hard.. not to its full potential anyway, but i'm sure as i get more used to it and become a better rider I will so as my riding style changes well then I guess I just gotta start paying attention to other things like jetting, oil ratio, plugs, etc. However, my mechanic suggested I put only KTM OEM parts, including spark plugs..which sucks cause I figured I'd try and get away with the canadian tire knock-off, but apparently that is a no-no haha, but I'm cheap..and really wanted to avoid paying $30 for a fuggin spark plug!