Yamaha TDM Riders

I post on Carpe TDM, just added my .02 on jet kits. I consider changing the emulsion tubes as routine maintenance, when they oval out the first symtom is less gas milieage, then poor low speed throttle response. "Factory Pro" in SF bay area sell nickle plated ones that last 3-4 times longer than stock and only cost a few dollars more. $24 a piece! Not too difficult to change just time consuming getting to them. Pull the carbs off to get access to the diaphram and the gas bowl, you can leave all the throttle controls in place. If you need more I can PM you. I get around 50 mpg. The electric fuel pump is another great mod. No more "Yamaha blow job" to prime the vacuum one. Now have 56,000 miles on mine and still does not use any oil. I just ordered a new windshield for mine 2 inches taller with a flip at the top.
Rolling Thunder, that is one clean TDM.

Very nice bike RT. What is that tailpipe?

Itsatdm, I just looked all over at Carpe, can't find no jet kit posts. Like to read it. Where is it? What is your handle there?
Mine is same as here & other places.
I was afraid I'd have to pull the steenking carbs. I have 39,325 miles on mine & am getting 41-42 mpg. No running problems though. Wonder if someone already changed them. Doubt it. I think I could tell by looking into the top of the carb.
Those emulsion tubes come with new needles too? I think they do, but the Factory Pro site does not say so or show them.
Winter work.
I guess RT don't want to trade. Gee, wonder why? That's the prettyest TDM I have seen pictured. Mine is the only one I have seen in person.

Have a friend that said he wanted to sell his TDM, a 1992 model. Took it for a two day ride over most of eastern Oregon and fell in love!! Unfortunately, got back and he decided that he didn't want to sell after all. Would love to own one.

AL58s TDM a couple of weeks ago - I likem

'nother TDM rider here. My '93 doesn't look anywhere near as sweet as Rolling Thunder's. But it's been a reliable daily driver for 40,000+ miles. It's starting to show its age. I'm prolly gonna sell it soon (when I find somebody to buy my jeep) and get a wee-strom.

I've always wanted one, but could never find the right one at the right time. I wish Yamaha would import it again. With the expanding Adventure bike market in the US, it might be time to try it again.

At that mileage if they have never been changed you are overdue. The longest I have gone is 20,000 miles, but I was running the Factory pro needles too. They sell a complete jet kit, but also sell the componants alone. You can find my response on Carpe TDM here: http://www.carpe-tdm.net/ipb/index.php?showtopic=1309
You might detect the ovaling by looking into the carb, but it is hard to detect as it doesen't take much. The throttle response issue is really evident at high altitudes, might not be so noticable at lower elevations

Hi Dessert Storm. Thanks for the compliment. The tailpipe is stock. There is one on each side.

Thanks Itsa-
I didn't mean that I could detect the ovaling by looking into the carb, but I sure should be able to tell if they are the brass or the nickel plated ones. Also, from the sounds of your post on Carpe, I should have no problem & may even be better off sticking with the stock needles. Good, as I never did see the needles on the Factory Pro site, & less $$. : )
I have never had the running problems that you mention, but it sounds like it would get better in any case. However the prior owner said that he never used or needed the choke for starting & wondered if it had been jetted. Looks like I will be finding out. I do use the choke if it is dead cold, first start, but sparingly.
Yeah, that diaphragm vacuum powered fuel pump has to go. What a pain. Never had a bike that needed a fuel pump.
I did have a running problem due to carbs once. It was strange, as it appeared after running one season with no problem. Then it cropped up. One of the air screws/jets was way off. IIRC it was only out 1.5 turns instead of 3. WTF!?
I think I ended up @ 2.5 turns on one carb & 3 on the other. Hmm. :huh Guess I should sync the carbs after installing the new tubes.

Sounds like we have the same pipe/can. I hate the way it sounds. Been described as obnoxious. Prior owner also claimed that he took it off & tried the stock pipes, but lost power. Stock setup is also a lot heavier. So-- (EDIT: Wait, you went back to stock pipes?)

Your bike sure looks familiar.

Had one. Loved it. Sold it.
Thought about getting another one.... But My Uly does everything it could do... and a bit more.

I didn't mean that I could detect the ovaling by looking into the carb, but I sure should be able to tell if they are the brass or the nickel plated ones.

Yoiu can tell that by pulling off a float bowl while on the bike. That metal tube sticking into the bowl with a collar and screw in the end is part of the tube.

Here, here .....

My TDM is my primary ride ......... it's a 93 with 14k on it .... I'm out in Oregon, but would love to hook with other TDM owners.

I can't really explain it ..... but I really love that bike more than my others I currently own.

Here's a pic of her ................

I have throttle response issues with my TDM. I guess it makes sense since you said it is more evident at high altitudes. Flagstaff, Arizona is at 7,000 feet. Tom S what altitude are you at?

BTW, the red ones sure look pretty!

Nice looking bike mandango45. How do you compare your TDM to your Tiger? How does the ride compare? Also, what brand of tires do you have on your TDM? They look like they would be good on dirt roads. Thanks

<meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type"><title></title><meta content="text/html;charset=ISO-8859-1" http-equiv="Content-Type">

RT, I am very close to sea level. My house is at 400', on "The Hillside" & most of my running around is at lower elev., near sea level.
Red? Any time you want to trade bodywork, let me know!

So I was reading through some archived emails I have from the TDM mailing list and ran across a few praising the upgrading of the carbs to 41mm Keihin FCR's. Anyone here done that? If so was it worth the $. I've always thought the TDM would be perfect with just a bit more power.

Also, on the subject of upgrades, my shock has about had it. Who's upgraded their shock? I'm thinking about the Wilber model 640 ($516).

The previous owner upgraded the suspension on mine. The rear is a works suspension shock with a remote nitrogen cannister. Adjustable for preload and rebound. Receipt does not show the model # but it was $550 in 1997.
The front springs were replaced also, but again do not know with what.
Unfortanately l can't compare to stock as I never road on one. This set up is pretty sweet, supple but controlled. Small changes in the settings can be felt immediately.

Re: fork springs. I upgraded mine with RaceTechs a few years ago. It helped with the radical fork dive this bike is known for, but didn't get rid of it. I wish I would have done Gold Valves at the same time. Still, fork springs were well worth the $.