And so it begins...GR650 carb teardown

[oldrookie]

Way better on the road, but not quite fettled just yet. Slight surging at steady throttle and it isn't entirely happy pulling beyond about 4k rpm. It'll do it, but it is slightly uneasy about it. May try half a turn more to see if a bit more flow will help it when under hard throttle. Suspect that'll be more than enough to see if the remaining issue is related to that setting.

 

[Guest]

Mate you're making excellent progress

 

[oldrookie]

Sure feels like it! Now I've got to drop the project for a while to deal with some other things.

 

[Guest]

Awww man! Just when you were getting so close! I'd knock those valve adjustments off real soon if you can spare the time, from what I understand it may just well be the icing on your tuning cake...

Unfortunately I never knew about valve adjustments when I was actually riding my 450, and going by how hard it was to start at times I reckon it would've run a decent amount better if I had've read up as much as I have now and adjusted the valves...

 

[oldrookie]

I know...but family first

I'll definitely check the valves, but this starts almost at the touch of the starter, so if they are out they are probably loose if anything.

 

[Guest]

Yes very true!

With the valves though, the wear is generally to the seat, meaning the valves move up towards the camshafts, so wearing can only make the gaps smaller...

But yes, do what ya gotta do, I ain't gonna bust your balls over it, that's your significant other's job

 

[oldrookie]

Quick update: Spent last week with my feet in the Gulf of Mexico enjoying the cool breeze while my fellow Hoosiers sweltered, so not a thing got done on the bike.

Have been riding it a bit around the neighborhood (haven't left the subdivision yet) and getting used to how it handles and rides. I think I'm going to like it.

I've been pricing out the materials and parts needed to get the bike ready for the real roads. Thinking the following, brakes (Griffin checked out the fronts--down to metal), tires and valve cover gasket. Mechanically, I think the valve adjustment process needs attention and then a carb sync. I have to go pick up the new intake boots (ordered before vacation) and I'll install those this week too.

I will say, the carb cleaning that Griffin helped with seems to have done the trick. Starts almost instantly and runs very well. Pulls hard, but gets pretty "vibey" between 4k and 5k rpm. Not sure whether its the valves or the carb sync.

 

[Guest]

Mate that sounds great! Holiday and a running GR

If you've been running with metal on the pads, I'd suggest a close look at the front disc as well in case it's gotten too scored or anything.

As to the vibe, yeah I'd be getting the valves done and carbs sync'd and you'll probably find it purrs all the way til it screams at redline

 

[oldrookie]

Here's hoping so, Pete! Very pleased to this point.

 

[Guest]

Glad to hear it

I'm hanging so bad to hear mine running... less than 3 weeks... ray:

 

[oldrookie]

Like waiting for Christmas as kid, isn't it? I knew I was getting this bike almost three months before I could get the time free to go get it. Delicious agony.

Your bike is really going to be something special. If I ever decide to mod this one, it'll be a scrambler as well. This one makes me weak at the knees when I look too long. Even with the low pipes it just does it for me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v640/hatchethairy/blog/StevenHolland005.jpg

 

[Guest]

It is indeed! And yes, I know that waiting game... all too well unfortunately

Thanks for the kudos, I'm hoping I can do the pipe justice with the rest of the bodywork and painting... that's going to be the biggest challenge I think. Bits I can buy and stick on aren't so much of an issue...

That is a nice XS for sure! But if it was mine, I'd be straight off to Tranzac

I want those tyres...

 

[Steve]

You'll wanna do the valves for sure, there have been many reports of very large improvements after proper valve adjustments...

Most of the "large improvements" are if the bike is hard to start now.

I'll definitely check the valves, but this starts almost at the touch of the starter, so if they are out they are probably loose if anything.

My bike has been starting VERY easily, but I have put on about 5000 miles since I got it last year. It has been running quite well, actually returning about 49 mpg during my Muffin Run a couple of weeks ago.

Last night, ArtByScars came over to my hotel, to help me adjust my valves and learn how to do his. FIVE of my valves were too tight to put a .0015" feeler in (yes, I use inch feelers ). After changing shims, we checked clearances again and found that two valves were still too tight. Yep, two valves requred two shim sizes to bring them in spec. Will sync the carbs tonight and see how much "improvement" there is. Will be taking it on the New England Ride this weekend (and riding two-up :dancing, so it needs to be "right".

The moral of this little novels is: don't put off adjusting your valves "because it's running just fine".

.