I refer the gentleman to my earlier answer :- the return pipe does just that but will not cause turbulence in the tank when revs are raised as it's only returning excess fuel when it's surplus to requirement - i.e. at idle. I can't wait for the next 900SS fuel query just so I can throw in a 916 answer and see if it helps AL
Was there any need for that Chris? Sour grapes again? For some unknown reason you think its a competition (that only you can win) I was trying to assist the OP, not compete with you. You said the 916 was injected and that meant (to you) there wouldn't be a return flow........Well it appears the OP reckons it is...... Whatever........... I reckon if we do ever meet...well, f*** my asthma.....You really push your luck at times. AL
I am genuinely shocked that you took it so hard AL - didn't you see the smiley at the end of the post? but if we have to talk straight then I can't see how post #10 was supposed to help here - the split pipe problem is well documented in many places - I fixed my first one 20 years ago and (i think) it's important to focus on the known problems without throwing in an unknown extra and from what I know of you I would have thought you would have agreed with this and also would have recognised when I was taking the mickey by now.
Not had time so far to check fuel pipes etc. but did get spark plugs out and checked they were sparking ok against the head - looked ok at turnover. My logic may be flawed but on inspection the plugs were very black and wet/oily which to me used to mean that it is running rich - too much petrol and not enough spark. I'd expected white and dry for lack of petrol. Does that make sense?
Yep you're correct, generally: Dry/black/sooty = Rich Wet/black/oily = Oil Browny grey = Ok White = Lean However your symptoms in your first post are typical of fuel issues, have you got one of those little round mirrors on a stick so you can see inside the tank when it's running. The black on the plugs could be oil from being sat that's not been burnt off or it could be rich, however fuel injectors need a constant pressure supply to meter correctly, surges caused by a leak can make them pump too much fuel.
I've had a number of plugs that have passed the sparking on block test and still turned out to be duffers, so don't discount the plugs on this test.
Thanks for all the useful advice and knowledge past on through the replies, I have been slow in replying as wanted to make sure the bike was fixed for sure. So after a successful track day on Wednesday I am happy the bike is now sorted and thanks to Phartycr0c who appears to have been on the money. I installed a new pair of plugs and the bike ran better but still not 100% so added some injector cleaner to the petrol and after probably 10 miles running it was fine. Now she is running like a dream. There is fuel returning into the tank and it does swirl around a bit but this seems normal for a 916 at tickover. Thanks again......
Sunny day at Castle Combe circuit - not the most challenging track but nice 'cos they only let about 12 riders on track at once so good for us beginners.
Did bikesafe there earlier this year which included 15mins on track. Hoping to get there later this year when my bike is back together.