"Rescue" went well, I think.
I was worried that a bent adjuster screw meant a bent valve stem. I thought they were tougher than the stem. But, personal inspection didn't seem to be the case.
So, we put on the used adjusters I brought with me. And then set the lash. The engine wasn't cold exactly, but had been sitting for three hours-ish. I decided to check the rest of the tappets. Good thing. The lash was all over. And all but one was not tight enough to be trusted. Moved on to set up gap and timing on the points. Took me way more time than usual. I really missed my simple light bulb. The volt meter gives the right information. But, you need chameleon articulating eyes to see both the meter and the timing marks while rotating the crank. Eventually got that done, and it was time for start up. It was a struggle and sounded bad when it finally sputtered to life. Number one pipe was cold. Same one that had adjuster issues. Then Dan, standing on number one side, found the number one spark lead was not on. So, it was really running pretty good on two cylinders. I don't know why it was ever removed. With the ignition system whole, the bike fired right up, and sounded good. He took it for a little ride, and it was a bit burbly under load. I tried a ride and it was pretty doggy. Turns out rhe choke was left partially on. With the choke off it was certainly better. But, still pretty anemic for a 550. Handled like a truck, too. (More later)
The bike has pods and a kerker and 069a carbs, so I asked about jetting. 38 pilots, 100 mains, and the original needles in an unknown position.
Pity I didn't drive it when at my house. Probably could have corrected the jetting there. I think the needles need to be raised, and would prefer the needle profile of the 022a carbs, for the pods and pipe change done to this F model. Dan said it had about the same power as before the tappet incident, and would ride on with it the way it is. I brought the trailer for no good use. Oh well.
I had drooled a bit over the Lester mags on the bike. But, the 110 metrics on the front makies turning a chore. The 550 is naturally very responsive. Even a serious head lean will begin a gentle turn. Not this bike. Even a body lean and this bike will go straight until you wrench the bars for turning.
I suppose the head bearings could be too tight. Wasn't time to investigate to conclusion and affect a cure. Now it is up to Danny to apply attention to his bike when he choses.
Had I known, he could have ridden one of my 550s, to feel 5-10 more horsepower, and a neutral responsive, agile bike in stock configuration. On the otherhand, he might have kept riding off toward the east! 🙂
Got a msg from Danny a few minures ago saying he'd stopped for the night in Springerville, and the bike was running great.
cheers,
