what did you wrench on today??

[Gorminrider]

still trying to get the beaterbike running properly on two cylinders without choke and without spending much $ on it....made a haywire pair of float gauges by necking some clear tube with a heat gun to fit the carb-drains. Works. Both are close enough to being the same.amusing,but helps not. running out of ideas. ...next I'll have to wrap that lean side manifold with duct tape to see if there's a leak I CANNOT yet find another way.

ps you made a flickable bike from that,mharrington!

 

[SVSooke]

Got a little done on the KDX engine http://kdxrider.net/forums/viewtopic.php?f=77&t=13338

 

[rlbaker]

pulled and cleaned the carbs

 

[allojohn]

Fitted an Eastern Beaver fuse box and headlight relay mod. A bit expensive but top drawer gear.

 

[Guest]

Wasn't really happy with the 1100 lately, so I thought maybe I should do some tweaking here and there and maybe all those annoyances would go away.
Since I hadn't been riding it much, not becuase the weather is bad, it's beautiful here, 80's no rain, but I got the flu and it doesn't want to go away. First thing I did was charge the battery.
If there's any wind at all it has a tendancy to walk all over the road, that's OK I guess if you're going slow but at 70mph and over a little gust and you're outta there. It's kinda like riding the bike with overinflated tires. So, I adjusted everthing, damping, fork air pressure, pre-load and tires to it's lowest setting, hoping this will make it hug the road better.
Also, there was the problem of fuel starvation running in "Prime" so I thought I ought to pull the tank and petcock off and look at it.

Can you see that little "clip" that holds the selector knob on? and how it's become free on one side. Maybe this is the problem, don't know, but I snapped it back. The petcock once pulled was clean as a whistle as was the inside of the tank, looked brand new. I did drain it in "Prime" and the fuel wasn't coming out as fast as I thought it should, at least not as fast as the 1000 petcock. Not really sure if it's a problem or not. Didn't make a difference whether the fuel cap was on or not, but I only had about a gallon in the tank. Replaced the petcock sealing washers, one was broken completely.

Since I had the tank off, I decided to try to fine tune the air screws, so I got it running and adjusted them. I was only able to make minor changes as I must've had them really close, (high RPM method).
My bike likes Arizona Sweet Tea! She's running in these pic's, very quiet!

See that fan ahead of the bike keeping it cool. An absolute must if you're gonna let it run any length of time.

Hopefully, she'll run a little smoother, track a little better, and not starve for fuel, at least in "Prime." The next step is to take her out on the road!

 

[Guest]

Steve,
How did you get he fuel to feed with that remote tank?

 

[Guest]

Steve,
How did you get he fuel to feed with that remote tank?

I siphoned it to get it flowing then quickly attached the hose to the other side of the barbed coupling.

 

[8ball]

I worked on my rear brake linkage for my rearsets on my 79 550:

Cut off the pedal:

Made a tab for the linkage:

Shaped, drilled and welded the tab to the brake pedal clamp:

Cleaned it up a bit (had to grind off the rest of the chrome for paint eventually):

Here it is installed with the link attached:

...but why, you ask, did I use a shackle with a removable pin instead of a heim joint?
Well, I'm glad you asked! The kick starter cant be used with the rearsets in their normal position:

...so I made it so you fold the peg, and disconnect the linkage (without tools) and flip the brake pedal out of the way, and Voila! The kicker is functional!

 

[bonanzadave]

If there's any wind at all it has a tendancy to walk all over the road

Steve, have you ever replaced the fork bushings ?

 

[Guest]

Steve, have you ever replaced the fork bushings ?

I have not.
I think the problem I've been experiencing is because the '82 GS1100E is a higher profile bike, higher center of gravity, sits high.
I notice this immediately when I switch over to it after riding my GS1000.
It's just more vulnerable to being blown around more in gusty crosswinds.
I don't ride as fast as I normally would if it is a little windy, and I surely wouldn't want to ride alongside someone else.
The bike has around 15K and the front end is tight.
It has the exact same size tires as my GS1000, Avon roadriders, and set to the same pressure.
I set all the damping, pre load, front and back to their lowest setting and reduced the air in the front shocks. I'm thinking a saggy suspension will help. I'll take it for a spin tomorrow weather permitting.

 

[steve murdoch]

Welcome to the site, 8ball.
Great "wrenching" and great first post.

 

[Steve]

Sorry, no pictures, but I rebuilt the starter on "Ratbagger".

One of the two brushes was worn enough to not touch, so it wasn't working at all. Looked at Stocker Starters, a pair of brushes was $10. I could get the entire plate that holds the brushes, too. That includes the plate, brushes, springs and the large bolt that sticks through the case. That package was $25. Then I noticed that, for just $5 more, I could get a complete rebuild kit that also included bushings for each end of the armature, oil seal, the skinny o-rings for the case ends and the thick o-ring that goes on the snout that goes into the crankcase. I splurged and got the full kit.

Ordered it on Friday, received it on Monday, can't complain.

Replacing everything was rather simple. The hardest part was removing the bushing from the closed end cap. I found that using a 10x1.5mm tap worked perfectly. Just thread the tap in. As it cuts threads in the bushing, it continues on to push on the end of the cap, which then pulls the bushing right out. When the bushing is out, it unthreads off the tap very easily. A socket and hammer removed the bushing from the open end cap.

Re-installed the starter, primed the carbs. Had to top off the battery charge (bike has not been run for several months), it fired right up.

Now I am waiting for some new drive belts for a Unimat lathe so I can turn down some mounting posts for the windshield. They should be here before the weekend.

.

 

[8ball]

Welcome to the site, 8ball.
Great "wrenching" and great first post.

Thanks. I've been lurking for a couple of months, and have gotten quite a lot of good info from here. I will be putting together a build thread soon, so maybe I might contribute.

Cheers,
Butch

 

[Gorminrider]

I'm here to tell you that torture does work.
The gs400ex now has both cylinders firing and the tach is perky! (also fixed). ....a very short ride is in order; short, because the tires are cracked and old, the chain is a loop of blackened scab, the powdered rims may crumble ...
That's right, No pix, because this nag has been neglected...brutalised and it's too much for caring soul to see....

 

[Guest]

Since getting the exhaust repaired and re-coated, it's definitely been re-assembled to be somewhat freer flowing with the associated small increase in the audible entertainment.

Unfortunately it has also led to increased popping under decel with a closed throttle, so I wound the mixture screws out half a turn before the ride to work this morning thinking she might be a little leaned out.

It seems to have made a difference but still getting some, so I'll do the other half turn tomorrow and see what happens.

Ideally I'd love to find some time to stick the Colortune in and see what it says, but I can't see that happening too soon...

 

[Guest]

I have not.
I think the problem I've been experiencing is because the '82 GS1100E is a higher profile bike, higher center of gravity, sits high.
I notice this immediately when I switch over to it after riding my GS1000.
It's just more vulnerable to being blown around more in gusty crosswinds.
I don't ride as fast as I normally would if it is a little windy, and I surely wouldn't want to ride alongside someone else.
The bike has around 15K and the front end is tight.
It has the exact same size tires as my GS1000, Avon roadriders, and set to the same pressure.
I set all the damping, pre load, front and back to their lowest setting and reduced the air in the front shocks. I'm thinking a saggy suspension will help. I'll take it for a spin tomorrow weather permitting.

Alright first things first. Steve where have you been? I would suggest visiting Bo Jangles down the road to gain some weight, especially if you've been sick with the flu. Good to know you alive and kicking. P.S. I bought 2 more bikes since we talked last.

Since getting the exhaust repaired and re-coated, it's definitely been re-assembled to be somewhat freer flowing with the associated small increase in the audible entertainment.

Unfortunately it has also led to increased popping under decel with a closed throttle, so I wound the mixture screws out half a turn before the ride to work this morning thinking she might be a little leaned out.

It seems to have made a difference but still getting some, so I'll do the other half turn tomorrow and see what happens.

Ideally I'd love to find some time to stick the Colortune in and see what it says, but I can't see that happening too soon...

Now for Pete, Eric asked me to suggest, raising the needles and increasing the main if that doesn't do it. He says the air adjustment screw wont cure your ills. PM for his email, if you would like a direct link.

 

[Guest]

I've been a little buzy lately. I reciently bought 2 bikes. 3 weeks ago I pickf up a 750ex out of St. Pete for $200. Was going to restore it for my wife to ride but it's to tall. I'm not the biggest fan of the rectangle headlights and it will need alot of work, so I've decided to part it out to help the collective. I'm going to keep the engine for my '82 750t project. I got it running by throwing the carbs from the t on it. The bike had obviously been sitting for quite some time. I took off the carbs and pulled the bowl and diaphrams lids. Diaphrams were good but the needles were varnished closed, same with the floats, float needle and main jets. Clog-a-reno, I can barely see the pilots. Sprayed some PB Blaster on them and everything that is still stuck. Oh yeah, one broken float pin perch, repair will be attempted but I want to see if I can get everything apart and cleaned first. Pictures and more later, have to get back to work.

 

[Guest]

Alright first things first. Steve where have you been? I would suggest visiting Bo Jangles down the road to gain some weight, especially if you've been sick with the flu. Good to know you alive and kicking. P.S. I bought 2 more bikes since we talked last.

I have been here all along. Haven't been riding much at all with this flu, but finally I think I'm getting over it. But did get out yesterday.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=185599

If you got two more bikes you must be running out of room.
I do not like the way this year is starting at all. Computer crashed and replaced, car problems, the flu and last nigh I broke a molar, looks like it's gonna be a new crown, but.......................... I'm not complaining one bit. Not at all! All these things do is take my money and my time.
I can deal with that. Besides one hour out on the bike and all is well.
I consider myself truly blessed!

 

[Guest]

Good to hear, I sent you a couple of emails, but no responce. Thought maybe you went up north and was visiting family. I mainly bought the '81 750ex for the engine and a possible bike for Bonnie. Even though I hate the thought of parting out a bike with an open title(N.C.), if it was a 1100ex I wouldn't, but it needs to much invested in it for me to mess with. Butt ugly seat, ape hanger like handle bars, filter box missing, cut/broken rear shocks, this and that, better to help out the hive. It does have an almost mint tank, tail and one good rt. side cover. The tank fits on the '80 1000S(cooley), but just isn't right, so I'm willing to trade for a 79 or '80 1000 tank if a member wants to.

The other bike is an '81 550t that was a steal at $200. I need to replace the starter, a little wireing, cut a new stator gasket, carb cleaning, and fork seals, but I'm going to try changing the fluid first. It came with a cover and a Clymers. I just did most of the same work on an identicle bike for the local guy that bought my '77 750 cafe project. I got the tank and cafe seat/tail back from the guy that bought it from him. He turned it into a bobber and has sold it again. I missed out on a cheap but nice '80 1000G that you might have seen on CL around xmas. It was missing the carbs. A new member here (blueplatespecial) bought it, so it's all good. As far as room goes, I have moved three of the projects out back for working room. Yeah I know they are all projects. lol I'll have the 550t done in a weekend, it's that nice.

 

[Guest]

Now for Pete, Eric asked me to suggest, raising the needles and increasing the main if that doesn't do it. He says the air adjustment screw wont cure your ills. PM for his email, if you would like a direct link.

Thanks Eric by proxy

The needles are already up one notch and the mains are 8 sizes up (probably too far) and the original issue I had was bogging just as you crack the throttle, and it's still a little bit boggy but not as bad, but the big difference is the extra popping under decel with a closed throttle. If I hold the throttle open a little, no issue.

I really do need to spend some time... Colortune and plug chops are definitely required here!