what did you wrench on today??

[Guest]

I've been learning a LOT about the finer details of the carbs on my 850. Last week I resolved the high idle issue by installing a new un-bent throttle butterfly on the #3 carb (apparently these bikes don't like potato chip-shaped butterfly valves). Then the #3 cylinder wouldn't fire for the first 3 or 4 minutes after I started the bike. After studying an animated graphic on Youtube, I realized that at low RPMs, the engine is running solely on the pilot circuit, so I checked everything in that circuit and low and behold, discovered the choke pickup tube was clogged. Several good blasts from both ends with carb cleaner got it cleaned out nicely (I cleaned the other three while I had the carbs off as well - just in case). After my first improperly performed bench sync yielded horrible results, I redid it, then used another member's Carbtune Pro to balance them, and have finally gotten the bike to idle reliably at 1100 RPM. So right now, the bike still sputters and backfires a bit, so I'll install new plugs next and see if that fixes the problem.

Also, after comparing the brass adapter tubes for the Carbtune (which have rubber o-rings) to the hex screws in the vacuum ports on the intake boots (which did NOT have o-rings), I realized that may have been a source of a vacuum leak. After consulting the parts fiche online, I learned that there is indeed supposed to be a gasket on those screws, so I added them.

For those who may be interested in the Youtube video mentioned above, here is the link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wyspAHrMbb8

 

[chuck hahn]

A timing light on the #1 and #2 plug wires will also show if there is continuous uninterupted spark. I do this all the time just to visually see the sparking pattern the coil is sending out. Nice and steady then fine. But if it stammers a bit its time to look for loose or bad connections and on bikes with points its time to check their conditions and the gaps.

 

[jjbmxer]

I polished some chrome and stuck some off the electrical stuff back on her as some po had removed it.

 

[Carter Turk]

Went to the local Restore to find some metal light fixtures, to see if I could fabiricate some sort of convex collector inside the can of a Yosh Series I.
It was just a large outlet baffle inside can with nothing leading to baffle and super loud.
Amazingly, the narrow part of collar on the light fixture was a perfect snug fit around the baffle.
Cut two metal light fixtures with tin snips to fit inside and send gases thru the baffle and support it from the front end.
Pipe is still too loud, but may have quelled the noise a tad.
Went for a 100 mile ride and the low rpm hesistation/burble seemed minimized.

 

[Sandy]

Starting to work through the remaining parts I have for the 750 and got around to swapping in a new set of black covered stainless steel brake lines and did the caliper seals at the same time. Brakes feel real good now, now to do the GS1000.

 

[Guest]

A timing light on the #1 and #2 plug wires will also show if there is continuous uninterupted spark. I do this all the time just to visually see the sparking pattern the coil is sending out. Nice and steady then fine. But if it stammers a bit its time to look for loose or bad connections and on bikes with points its time to check their conditions and the gaps.

I read elsewhere on the forum that the spark plug boots/caps are prone to failure after 36 years (imagine that!), so I pulled all four of mine; two of them were nearly 20k ohms, while the other two were near 10k ohms (the upper limit). I ordered a new set of NGK 5k ohm caps on Ebay and they should arrive maybe by this coming weekend. I then measured the coil resistance: between 1 and 4; 12k ohms and between 2 and 3; 12k ohms. From what I read (on BassCliff's website I think), that is normal, so I'm calling my coils good for now. I also have a set of "45" Mikuni pilot jets on the way on the advise of another member, so I'm hoping that between those and the new plug boots, that will resolve my bad running issues.

Next on the list: going through the Stator Papers and troubleshooting the overheating R/R wires.

 

[Guest]

All four of my new spark plug boots arrived today (early!), so I installed them after work - along with all new spark plugs. After sitting for a few days, I pulled the choke lever all the way and the bike started instantly, but it's still not running the way it ought to. Some more fiddling with the carb balance is in order I suspect - but it's getting there!

 

[Redman]

All four of my new spark plug boots arrived today (early!), so I installed them after work - along with all new spark plugs. After sitting for a few days, I pulled the choke lever all the way and the bike started instantly, but it's still not running the way it ought to. Some more fiddling with the carb balance is in order I suspect - but it's getting there!

Good. Progress.

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Started tearing into the little Geo Tracker I bought as a trail mule. LOTS to do. The right rear brake cylinder is puked, the suspension is worn out, the idle is too low and there doesn't seem to be a working AC idle boost, and it needs cosmetic love.

I love projects like this!

 

[Redman]

Got generator running after about 10 years sitting.

Got generator running after about 10 years sitting.

I bought a 10HP 5000Watt Generac generator for cheap in 2001.
Ran if a few times about then, made a cable to backfeed panel. Did run it and power a few things things in the house for about half hour once.
And then just ran it about once a year for next 4-5 years just to run it.
And then it has just sat since then, about 10 years. Did have put stable in gas, and did make plastic cover for it.

Was storms last night, lots of power outages in the area, okay here at home though.

So I got out the generator. Gas in tank looked like about half a gallon of think syrup.
Took off the carb bowl, and after a minute or so the thick gas started to drip out.
Let it drip out for a while, and then added another half gallon of fresh gas and let that dripp out too. THEn put carb bowl back on, added about a gallon of gas.
One short spritz of starter spray, one pull and she started right up.

Called a few friends, and they were okay, one was out but had a generator.

Man, that Stable is good stuff.

Adde more Stable, Put the cover back on, and pushed back into back corner of garage.


>>>Later Note: Then about 20 minutes later, contacted someone else, and was getting generator out to them. (so another late night).

And today, will be taking out to church building, for the freezer. And wire into main panel, to power just enough for Sunday service. (Yes, I know what I am doing, well, enough.)

 

[cowboyup3371]

Finished installing new rear turn signal mounts on my bike tonight and put the tank and seat back on. I'll fire it up tomorrow and try to go for a ride for the first time since Brown County

 

[dorkburger]

Ha, I just finished the same to fix the attempted escape of my rear turn signal the other day.
New mounts, and relocated slightly forward and farther apart so they are in no danger of touching the wheel at suspension compression. They stick out farther then I like, but it will do for now.
I needed a quick fix as I may take a quickie ride tomorrow morning before the days "fun".

 

[sam000lee]

Installed new tubes and tires on my GS750, replaced the fork seals and installed some sonic springs...and `mounted' milk crate to my luggage rack.

 

[chuck hahn]

Changed a leaky fork seal on the 650. Then ordered two new petcock gaskets for the 73 TX750. The black rubber deals with the 4 holes in them. Seems two years in storage and they drip a little. Got the bike home and dumped in a gallon of gas and she fired right off. Nnly problem was the drippy petcocks. Changed the oil in the TX to the Honda HP4 synthetic blend. Hopefully this oil will withstand the foaming and I can get some enjoyment out of riding it a while....without the worry of eating another cam nagging in my brain.

 

[Baatfam]

She was about 3K rounds overdue for a spring replacement...
Beretta Spring Replacement by Bob Thieda, on Flickr

 

[jjbmxer]

Put a battery in my gs and got it to run. now i got bunch of other stuff to do

 

[GS1150Pilot]

Changed the transmission filter and fluid along with a headlight bulb on the Buick. Hot as balls out there.

 

[Buffalo Bill]

So I had to find a new car after my 2010 HHR was declared a total loss…!!!!!
Looked at a few cars, really wanted another HHR or Ford Focus. All the HHRs are 10 years old and have more than 70,000 miles.
Found a 2014 Focus with 19,700. Lovely.
Bought and bolted on a new trailer hitch from Curt;

 

[Burque73]

In an attempt to stabilize the Vetter side bags, and add a little more cargo room, I mounted a luggage rack today. I tossed the original mounts the chrome backrest/ rack came with and made some to attach on top of the Vetter brackets.

The bags still wobble a little but I'm glad to have the rack and also the option to use a taller backrest for my wife.

Trying out google drive, hope it works. Well crap, edit copy and paste worked but man these are huge pics!

 

[Burque73]

Another attempt to post pics. I hadn't messed with it since photobucket pooped on us.

I had to modify my key since the rack almost covered the seat lock. I didn't like how it looked holding the rack up high enough or back far enough for the key to fit. Any further forward and the Corbin backrest wouldn't fit, so this is where it landed.