pe175 performance questions

[twinrock]

Hi guys i have been lookin for a lil bike to club rego and ride off road.. i have a dt200 motard set up that i love but its a pain swapping wheels over , i have been lookin at dt175 250 IT175 and the like but thought id consider a suzuki , im about to pick one up.. very clean twinshock 81 model sounds and runs nicely..but i was expecting more bottom end..well at least some bottom end....it seemed very flat untill it came on pipe..and took awhile to get there..does this seem indicative of the power characteristics..are there ways to improve bottom end pull..im happy to sacrifice a lil top end for some more off throttle response.but not looking at doing major work..sometimes easier to buy a different/bigger bike thanks very much

[skypig]

I have an '81 RM125X, and was similarly dismayed.
1. Check your ignition timing.
2. Carb/jetting? Mine had a replacement carb. An off the shelf Mikuni in stock size. I made useful advances with jetting changes. Basically after getting it as close to stock as I could. NOS needle for e.g. I found raising the needle made improvements with each change. I ran out of grooves and bought the next richest needle jet, which should put the clip back in the middle so I can continue experimenting.
3. You get used to it and keep the revs up. 

[Paulos]

I had an 81 pe175 and although it wasn't an arm-tearer, the power was very linear, and had decent bottom-end. I'd be checking your carb etc

[LWC82PE]

Why not check out what the magazine tests said back in the day here

https://onedrive.live.com/?id=407D7EF0965D3991%211089&cid=407D7EF0965D3991

[twinrock]

Ahh thanks for that..yeah well the magazine review also concurs with my thoughts of the power characteristics ...well is there anyway to improve things or just accept and ride

[ITDOG]

buy an it175

[Krikey]

buy an it175

Or better yet, buy an IT200

[XRH348]

Chapter eleven of the Clymer manual discusses performance improvements for the PE models

[twinrock]

buy an it175

Or better yet, buy an IT200

yeah i had initiallytried to find a good 175 or 200 but budget didnt allow it. i traded pe175 for another bike so no cash was exchanged ..like i said i have a very well sorted dt200 , pipe ,carb ,reeds, which makes great power everywhere but i hve to swap to dirt wheels over when off road ..i do really like the idea of something simple and dedicated to total off road use..thansk for your input guys.. i may just move the pe175 on..

[shelpi]

Nothing wrong with a well set up PE, back in the very early 80's we did a lot of carnage to everything including open class on a PE175C, me thinks it was the suspension set up that did it! then again it was an ex Chris Gizza setup! just my opinion

[rocketfrog]

I would say a pipe mod would be worth investigating if you dont mind trading off a bit of top end for bottom end. Speak to Lozza, for some suggestions if you are open to a few mild complimentary mods for the PE. I would tend to think a lean towards a 'Plonker" pipe design would offer a better bottom end. Take a look at most ag bikes (2T) and you will notice the longer thinner mid pipe section, see the Suzuki TF range for ideas.

[rocketfrog]

Take a look at this TF125 Pipe

http://moto.zombdrive.com/images/suzuki-tf-125-4.jpg

Obviously designed to perform best with the TF gearing and porting, ignition etc. but sort of illustrates how the AG bikes get good tractable power from a 2t engine. Perhaps a mild tweak could help customise the power characteristics you prefer?

[twinrock]

Yeah i agree about the pipes and their design purposes .. i did have a lil chat with lozza the other day he suggested a 250..i would swap some top end for more bottom..i realize there us no free lunch... anyway i get the bike on friday ill go over it make sure its all as it should be before i do anything else thanks again

[pokey]

Pe175 was never designed for bottom end. However a Ts185  was.  Porting isnt as sharp so it pulls ok for a tiddler and it shares the same flywheel as the 250.

[Oldfart]

The trick is to remove the Muffler restrictor / or use an aftermarket muffler. Next thing get your jetting sorted as they tend to run a bit rich.
Pe 175 perform better higher up in the revs,  and once you have the flywheel spinning they are a fun thing to ride.