Hey everyone, new rider here. I bought a 1996 VT 600 C "bobbed" without knowing anything about Hondas. After getting a little more familiar with the bike, I've realized that it has a velocity stack as well as back draft exhaust, (the really short slant exhaust). I also learned those Backdraft exhaust pipes have more restrictive airflow, so the velocity stack and the exhaust system on this bike are working against each other. Rightfully so it doesn't run well. It starts and idles perfectly but I can't get a smooth acceleration, it sputters too bad to enjoy the ride. I don't know what to do other than try and return to stock airbox, filter and all. Problem with that is, I've been informed by a local shop that manufacture parts have been discontinued for my bike. I am a brand new rider, I've been an enthusiast my entire life But only recently have gotten my shit together and can afford to ride. if there's anybody out there that can give me some direction it would be greatly appreciated.
Hey Adam, the backdraft exhaust as long as it doen't have any baffles installed should actually reduce the exhaust restriction. Pair that with the wide open air intake you have with the velocity stack means your bike is probably running super lean. You'll need to pull the carb off and see what it has for jets. Generally you'll need bigger pilot and main jets with a setup like you have, I have a VT750 with dual carbs so I can't for sure tell you what jets you'll need but this website will put you in the ballpark;
https://carbjetkits.com/CJKCalculatorV3.php?num=2&d1=115&d1p=40&maintype=393&pilottype=21&bname=Honda%20VT600c%20Vt600CD%201995-1998
@Adam Hardy As mark said, the open intake and exhaust compliment each other, ( backdraft exhaust are wide open, zero restriction) they do not and cannot fight each other, it really sounds like you need to rebuild the carbs, its suuuuper easy! i actually have a LOT of youtube videos on tuning and a 4 part series on rebuilding the dual carbs! they go step by step and walk you through a successful carb rebuild!
heres the link to the video - https://youtu.be/gYLGWX_y_v8?si=yJK1K-8AzPFfU751
at tjbrutalcustoms.com we also have the correct kit for a rebuild. https://shoptjbc.com/products/complete-carb-performance-rebuild-kit?_pos=2&_sid=727d792c9&_ss=r
This kit has everything you need to properly tune your 96 VT600. including the slide diaphragms which in your case, are well beyond their usable life span.
dont forget to replace the intake boots!
if you pull the carbs to tune, you will not be able to seal the old intake boots, they are rock hard at this point and guaranteed to give you grief when you try to tune.
we also have the carb boots kit on tjbrutalcustoms.com =)
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