Cali 1400 Secondary Air System - Pros/Cons

[LeakyLogic]

The new Eldorado has a secondary air injection system which is said to help throttle response in the lower RPMs. I always thought a SAI was a negative thing and a popular item to remove to improve performance. I assume the SAI will become standard on all California models soon due to increasingly tougher emission standards. Anyone have experience with SAI???

[Kiwi Dave]

I could be wrong, but I think this must be new to the Eldorado.  If my 2014 Custom 1400 has this feature, I'm unaware of it.

Sounds similar in function to the stepper motor on CARC models, and possibly may help with the horrible idle.  For my 1200 Sport CARC bikes, I inserted a pneumatic switch in the hose between the air box and the stepper motor, to turn the function off once the motor has warmed.  When the stepper motor is "off", there is a significant increase in engine braking, which I appreciate.

[apex1397]

Typically secondary air injection bleeds air into the exhaust to help a complete burn of exhaust. I have only seen a picture of the secondary air switching valve that Guzzi will use. It looks typical to the ones used on Asian bikes I have seen. Air injection is used to reduce exhaust emission and I believe it extends cat converter life. Seems like they are already planning for tighter emission standards. Swapping to aftermarket mufflers on bikes with air injection typically means disabling it because of excessive popping on decell. There are all kinds of aftermarket parts for disabling it on the Asian  bikes I have seen (Hondas and Yamahas.)

[Vasco DG]

Not according to the parts list it doesn't?




and yes, that is the right bike.

[Kiwi Dave]

I've spotted them on Triumph Bonnevilles (the later ones) as something plugged vertically into the head on each side.  Well, that's what I was told they did, I never doubted the answer.

[Vasco DG]

Nuovo, nothing in the heads.

Is the OP mistaking the Lamda sensors for an air injection system?

Pete

[apex1397]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/moto-guzzi/2016-moto-guzzi-audace-first-ride-review.html

[apex1397]

If you scroll to the very bottom of the previously posted article there is a photo of a AIR management valve.

[Vasco DG]

Ah. It's currently specific to the Audace it seems. Injects into the ports. I can put up a pic of the system when I get home if people are interested?

Pete

[Larry]

http://www.motorcycle.com/manufacturer/moto-guzzi/2016-moto-guzzi-audace-first-ride-review.html

Quite an impressive review.

[JeffOlson]

On my 2014 Triumph Thruxton, I removed the entire secondary air injection system and installed a resistor to fool the ECU so it would not illuminate the check engine light. Of course, there are billions of easy to use after-market bits for Triumph Modern Classics, not so much for Moto Guzzi. But the idea should translate.

No more popping on deceleration.

I also installed British Customs Predators, removed the O2 sensors, installed more resistors, and re-mapped the ECU. Runs like a champ and sounds like a British cafe racer should.

[apex1397]

I sometimes do dyno tuning for a local shop. To get a accurate reading on your exhaust analyzer you have to disable the air injection. It is as easy as pinching off the rubber hose with a pair of hemostats. I have seen some guys disable it by cutting the head off a suitable size bolt and sticking it in the hose as a plug and leaving everything hooked up. There is a lot of handy guys on this list. As this system becomes more common I can see someone with a lathe  producing a insert to plug the air injection hose.

[pat80flh]

Secondary air injection is typically used to pump fresh oxygen into the exhaust during a cold start, to promote further burning of hydrocarbons. Strictly an emissions thing.

[elvisboy77]

Ah. It's currently specific to the Audace it seems. Injects into the ports. I can put up a pic of the system when I get home if people are interested?

Pete

Yes, please!

[Kev m]

If you scroll to the very bottom of the previously posted article there is a photo of a AIR management valve.

[Aaron D.]

You may want to reconsider removal, all reviews I've seen say the bikes with that system run better.

It's for Euro IV, I believe.

And you know, it's been a long time since it was "the right thing" to just yank off any "emissions crap".