Topic: Team 3: NM, AZ, CA

[ofreen]

Sorry to hear that, Dave.  Stev-o makes a good point, that's one of the nice things about the 550.  Any chance you could get 'er done by the weekend after next?

[RAFster122s]

Dave, hope the fix does not have any surprises. GZ going low profile into Nevada might not be a bad thing given his new attire might draw unwanted attention. Licensing or something I would imagine is enforced...

[Stev-o]

GZ going low profile into Nevada might not be a bad thing given his new attire....

I heard he's naked and sipping Chardoney in Napa!

[Dave Voss]

Sorry to hear that, Dave.  Stev-o makes a good point, that's one of the nice things about the 550.  Any chance you could get 'er done by the weekend after next?

Thanks for the tip Stev-o.  Greg, work has been busy for me, and is keeping me from having time during the week to do any wrenching, so the repair would have to happen on a weekend.  Since I don't have the parts on hand, I would need to order them, delaying repairs until 6/15-6/16, making my next opportunity to ride the following weekend on 6/22-6/23, and then only if the cause of the failure was also determined and remedied so as not to be repeated.  At this point, I think it failed because the engine overheated from lean running.

[fatmatt650]

This sounds like a job for Scondon. Come on dude, I know your out there.

[scottly]

Sadly, as of this afternoon, I'm unable to participate in the GZ3 Rally.  On my commute from work, the head gasket failed on my CB550 and I barely made it home.  Sorry folks, I was *really* looking forward to Saturday's ride.  If this had occurred a week ago, I might have been able to get it fixed in time, but with only a day left, its just not an option for me.  Seriously bummed...

Dave, are you sure the head gasket is at fault? Is the bike spewing fire between the head and the cylinder block, or oil?

[Dave Voss]

Dave, are you sure the head gasket is at fault? Is the bike spewing fire between the head and the cylinder block, or oil?

After it cooled off (it was running really hot) I checked the compression: 1: 60psi, 2: 85psi, 3: 120psi, 4: 120psi.  All four cylinders were 140psi a few weeks ago.  There is a slight oil leak too, but it seems to be from the end of the rocker shafts under the left side small chrome cover (probably unrelated).

More details are in this thread that I happened to start earlier today before the engine developed issues:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=122569.0

[scottly]

Just got back home(well, work anyway) update to come.

Still waiting for your update...

[ofreen]

This sounds like a job for Scondon. Come on dude, I know your out there.

Sean told me he doesn't have a running SOHC4 at this time.

[scottly]

taking on the vehicle fleet management for the Burningman event is running me ragged. Ironically, I'll be an hour or so north of Fernley this weekend and 6/14-17.

Any chance of sneaking Greg and GZ into the Burning Man area on 6/8?

[scottly]

Heck yeah! I'd love to see a photo of Godzilla on the playa, or even better with the mechanics and one of the fleet trucks!
 The town of Gerlach is 1.5 hors north of Fernley, playa access is 8 more miles and the ranch/workshop is 20 miles from Gerlach. If anyone wants to make the trek, PM me for details.

[Dave Voss]

Any chance you could get 'er done by the weekend after next?

Update:  Cold dry compression check this morning confirmed that the head gasket is still ok, it appears that I was losing compression late yesterday from valve clearances that tightened up while the engine was running too hot.  So, I need to source a set of main jets to correct the hot lean running condition, reset all of the valve clearances, and it may be good to go pending a shake-down ride to confirm that everything else is alright.

So, yes it looks favorable that I could be back on the road this weekend and ready for the same hand-off a week later than originally planned.  I'm sorry about the delay folks, if waiting a week on me is too disruptive to other plans that are made to keep GZ moving, then I'd be happy to ship to the next location, let me know what works best for everyone.

[ofreen]

It works for me.

[curemode2002]

That is pretty good news Dave hope that gets you running. I had some nasty failures last year hopefully this year I am good to go, so I totally understand just keep us in the loop.

[fatmatt650]

This sounds like a job for Scondon. Come on dude, I know your out there.

Sean told me he doesn't have a running SOHC4 at this time.

Didn't he build a new motor the day before the first ride?

[Dave Voss]

It works for me.

Okay, I'll keep on it and let you know how things are going, with the intention of making the ride to Fernley, NV on Saturday 6/15 in lieu of Saturday 6/8 are originally planned.  Thanks for the flexibility, I appreciate it.

GZ should know these bikes as well as anyone, I left him in my garage amonst all of my tools, maybe it'll be running when I get home this afternoon!  Or maybe he's just out wine tasting...

[ofreen]

Sounds good, Dave.  Good luck.

[Dave Voss]

While I made progress on my motorcycle today, GZ made a friend.  Little does GZ know, this cat regularly keeps the local lizard population in check.  Sadie keeps me company anytime I'm wrenching in the garage.

[KCbarsos]

HA! GZ is gettin down! his jacket may be sweeter than Grumpy's  . good luck dave

[Dave Voss]

Unfortunately, I won't be able to ride to from Napa, CA to Fernley, NV on Saturday 6/15 as planned, the carb work went well this weekend, and the engine is running really well (so it appears that the tuning issues are fixed) but the head gasket is leaking a lot of oil in several places (following last week's overheating) and so it needs to be replaced.  As-is, the leak is bad enough to prevent any distance riding, and my plate is too full of other time commitments to be able to spend anymore time on it this week.

I don't want to hold up the Rally any longer, so I'll plan to box and ship GZ to the next participant, as I don't think any other Northern California riders are available to step in.  At least I was able to give GZ a 1-mile ride in Napa from Downtown Joe's to my house!  I'll post over on the Team 4 thread to coordinate the hand-off my mail.

[ofreen]

Dave and I have this worked out.  He will ship the stuff to me.  I should be able to plan something interesting for Oregon and Nevada to get those states and meet up with Motorfist next weekend in eastern Idaho. 

Thanks, Dave. Sorry about the problems with your bike, but let's figure on it next year.

[RAFster122s]

Dave, sorry the problems on the bike have persisted and impacted the planned fun. GZ3 was probably out on adventures while you were gone to work, wine tasting and carousing with soccer moms and unsuspecting females...
GZ will recooperate in the box to prepare for and pace himself for future adventures.

So, which future GZ trip will have a reunion ride of the GZ clan of GZ1, GZ2, GZ3, etc?
David

[fatmatt650]

Actually Ken and I were discussing steeping up and taking GZ to NV if Daves issues couldn't be worked out. I just put a Vesco fairong on my bike and need to break it in.

[RAFster122s]

Pictures or it didn't happen so they claim.
I really like the Rabid Transit fairing...sport windshield I presume.

[fatmatt650]

Scored on Ebay for $200. I've been wanting one for 2 years ever since I learned of their existence. Arrived the day I got back from delivering GZ to Dave. A run to Fernley would be an excellent test of it's aerogotdammit properties. I was thinking I could drop GZ at Motorcycle Madness mid-week for Ofreen to pick up later?