2 Petal Reed

[chixwithtrix]

My husband's new Kawi 1100cc build has stock 4 reed petals, but recently bought Carbon Tech carbon reeds and they have 2 petals.

Being relatively new to these 1100 builds, I'd assume this is normal and preferable?

 

[RMBC Freeride]

Yes, normal. I'm no expert but my take is that reed manufacturers will do this to acheive the stiffness that they are looking for based on the material used and desired performance. Go ahead and install if you havent already!

 

[chixwithtrix]

Kinda what I figured, always good to check. Thanks!

 

[TheBuzzard]

if the stock reeds aren't bad , I wouldn't install them. they aren't going to make any difference in power and you then run the risk of breaking, stripping or having one of the screws fall out and chew the motor. reeds are a waste of time and money unless you have huge carbs and motor.

 

[chixwithtrix]

if the stock reeds aren't bad , I wouldn't install them. they aren't going to make any difference in power and you then run the risk of breaking, stripping or having one of the screws fall out and chew the motor. reeds are a waste of time and money unless you have huge carbs and motor.

It is a bored and ported 1100. But not my build, he is building to specs recommended by Hagest as far as I know. I just have the forum logins haha.

 

[Big Kahuna]

Stick with what Hagest is saying. Do not question.

 

[Big Kahuna]

I have 13 year old carbon tech's if it tells you anything about durability.

 

[37]

It is a bored and ported 1100. But not my build, he is building to specs recommended by Hagest as far as I know. I just have the forum logins haha.

That info would have been very good to know upfront.

Your particular motor needs stiffer reeds. The CTs in your photo above are perfectly fine. This is one case where stock reeds can get outrun by a high-signal, high-RPM engine. If it were a stock 1100 then stock reeds work phenomenally and last forever.

To answer your original question about petal count, two large petals typically reduce flutter at high RPMs. Stiffness is determined more by the actual material (fiberglass vs. carbon fiber), the layup of said material and the overall thickness of the reed. You can have the same stiffness in a 2- and 4-petal reed but the 2-petal will almost always reduce flutter. HTH

 

[chixwithtrix]

That info would have been very good to know upfront.

Your particular motor needs stiffer reeds. The CTs in your photo above are perfectly fine. This is one case where stock reeds can get outrun by a high-signal, high-RPM engine. If it were a stock 1100 then stock reeds work phenomenally and last forever.

To answer your original question about petal count, two large petals typically reduce flutter at high RPMs. Stiffness is determined more by the actual material (fiberglass vs. carbon fiber), the layup of said material and the overall thickness of the reed. You can have the same stiffness in a 2- and 4-petal reed but the 2-petal will almost always reduce flutter. HTH

Honestly I wasn't looking for advice on the engine setup, just if 2 petals was normal for aftermarket reeds before he installed them.

But for what it is worth I think those are the high tension Carbon Techs. Like I said, not my build, asking for my husband who has little interest in forums unlike myself.

Great info though, thank you, good to learn a thing or two! Makes sense, but always good to ask since there can always be something esoteric with two strokes laying in wait to fk up your thought process haha.

 

[Half flip95]

Stick with what Hagest is saying. Do not question.

baaaaa, baaaaaaa, baaaaaa (sheep noises)

 

[Big Kahuna]

baaaaa, baaaaaaa, baaaaaa (sheep noises)

LMAO.

If your taking advice from one person. Do not waiver, odds are you will mess up a package that has already been proven. That the point.

 

[chixwithtrix]

baaaaa, baaaaaaa, baaaaaa (sheep noises)

Seeing as this is the Internet anything seems fair game.

But still. I work at a car dealer. Sales people don't have titles under their belt and passion for a sport that goes deeper than most of us can ever touch. They are just looking to make a paycheck.

I think @Big Kahuna's reply was more tounge in cheek than serious. It was a jab at the keyboard masses for giving advice without the credentials. Experience does matter for something, but after all...it is the Internet so...pinch of salt...etc etc etc.


I may be ignorant about many things pertaining to two strokes and skis. But I'm no sheeple, and I'm not afraid to look like an idiot asking questions to learn more. Thanks for the help y'all!

 

[Half flip95]

Its all just for fun

 

[Big Kahuna]

Its all just for fun

Baaaaaahaaaaaaa

 

[88kawi5fiddy]

If they are carbon tech ht reeds, they will last longer. Although... 200 hour motors that haven't been cracked open still have had awesome reed seal.

Now if he's after power, the only way to tell is slapping an accelerometer, 10 rpm tachometer with logging, and a gps, back to back as fast as possible between changing out reeds.

Either way to answer your question, bolt er on, loctite em, and run it.