Topic: F2/K1 Frankencafe

[AbbyRider]

Found a good spot for my neutral light.

[AbbyRider]

Yesterday I quickly mocked up with tank and seat, for no other reason than to keep me motivated. Seems to have worked. Got my coils and new plug wires in. Rear brake mounted and new Slingshot hose installed. New front master with upper hose on.

Still lots to do, but feel like I'm getting somewhere.

[AbbyRider]

Rotors drilled.
And painted.

[AbbyRider]

Got a bunch more electrical done this weekend.



Ran into a snag that I hadn't even thought about - the intake ports on the K1 head that I swapped in have a smaller diameter. So my carb boots are the wrong size. Briefly thought about using some heat resistant tape to bring them up to size but then remembered that I need to do things right. So I guess I'll shell out the $70 and order a new set. Old ones will probably go on eBay and hopefully I can make some of that back.

[AbbyRider]

Wow. Been a while since I posted. Things have progressed a lot further over the last month, despite not much time in the garage.
- electrical complete
- headers and exhaust mounted
- carbs mounted
- points gapped properly and static timing set
- oil pump primed and pan mounted


Went to start the bike for the first time and there was nothing. Quickly realized I had a float issue. After much investigation I came to the conclusion that my #3 carb float is not floating. Valve seals when I push the float up and turn on petcock, but when I screw the bowl on and turn gas on it comes gushing out. So I've ordered new float and needle as well.

In meantime, to make sure that everything else is in order, I fired bike up with starter fluid. Sounded sweet. So now I just need to bleed the brakes and make sure everything is tight. Float should be here Monday so I'm thinking that this time next week I might have a finished, running bike. Just in time, as the wife and I are headed to Vegas for the vintage motorcycle auction, where while everyone is focused on the Broughs and the Vincents I'm hoping to sneak in and pick something up cheap.

[AbbyRider]

Well, it's a sad night. Had the bike running last night, but was having carb float issues and was only able to start with starting fluid. Adjusted the problem float, went to start it, and it ran for 10-15 seconds, coughed, and then died. Left it for a day, then went into the garage this evening to do a float level test. Went to try starting it quickly, and it wouldn't kick over. Tried turning at the points plate but felt like I was going to shear the nut off. Bike is not in gear at all.

Will try pulling the plugs and putting some WD40 or something in and let sit overnight. Worried that for some reason I may have starved the top end, even though I had removed one of the tappet covers and checked to make sure oil was getting up there. How long would it take for the bike to seize if an oil jet were plugged? I recall reading about someone getting glass beads stuck in the jets.

Oil pressure was good while it was running. Was consistently at 60psi. If anyone has any other suggestions I'm all ears.

[AbbyRider]

Well, it's been a while since I've been on here. All my spare time has been spent either in the garage or on my bikes. But figured I would come on here and post some finished project photos to cap off the thread. Thanks to Harrisuluv carbs were working like a gem. Bike's been running great and it's on to the next project (KZ650).

[AbbyRider]

Some more.

[koendd]

turned out great!

so what was wrong with the engine?

[AbbyRider]

There was nothing wrong with the engine. Everything had to do with fuel deliver. Tank had some disintegrating spots on inside and rust particles were getting through the filter etc and clogging up carb. Cap vent was also a bit clogged. So everything was making the bike run so lean that it was overheating. No permanent damage done though, and with carbs getting properly overhauled it made huge difference. Full Caswell tank coating took care of the rust issues.