Topic: The highs and lows of old bikes

[Scott S]

 I love old bikes. I really do. I love the way they look, sound and perform.  They're easy(er) to work on. They have soul.
 But, man, do I get tired of the pitfalls that often accompany them!

 My first few vintage bike projects went relatively smoothly, years ago. But anymore, it seems that no matter how careful i am, no matter how much i apply what I've learned, no matter how many times I skip the shortcut and "do it right", there's just always something else that pops up and taunts me.

 I get really frustrated when I use good, quality parts, really slow down and take my time, only to still have an oil leak or a tuning issue that I thought I was addressing before the fact.

 Days like that, I love my Triumph Scrambler. Fuel injection, instant starts, great handling, 900cc's of power. And semi-retro looks without all the headaches.
 Triumph has a huge aftermarket,  too. But they're not as easy to work on and parts are more expensive.

 Yet, I find myself just staring at the old bikes.  They're fun to ride, but often leave me scratching my head. WHY do I still have a hanging idle when I've checked every possible cause? WHY do I have an oil leak when I used all new seals, cleaned every surface and used sealant?

 Sometimes, I really, really consider taking a long break from old bikes. And yet I still check Craigslist every day. I've spent hours looking at modified Z50's, even though that's an absolutely useless bike for a 6'1", 200 lb. man. For what it would cost to do what I'm dreaming about, I could just get a TW200 anc have a better,, more usable bike. And I can't WAIT to hit the swap meet at Barber.
 But then again, now that the new generation of Triumphs are out, used Bonnevilles are getting pretty cheap....

[WhyNot2]

I feel you brother.............................

[Stev-o]

I hear ya Scott.  But I differ that I have zero interest in any modern bikes.  When I got heavily into vintage bikes, I learned quickly to always have a reliable backup bike so when I want to take that ride, if one doesnt start for whatever reason, I would have a backup.

BTW - I've had the same issue, seems no matter what, I have a minor oil leak with new gaskets on Honda, Kawasaki or Suzuki! WTF?!

I am committed to sell a couple bikes this year, trying to keep 13 bikes restored/maintained is impossible for one guy who has half a life outside of bikes.

[754]

 Do yourself a favour, don't ride modern bikes...and everything will seem more normal.,
What has been driving me crazy the last 3 or so years is constant valevtrain problems , have taken out several cams a bunch of rockers a few cam cradles. Went to higher zinc oil, and still 500 miles and I got a few valves ticking loudly again. ...now I am running a black F motor so I guess I deserve it.
 Had way less trouble racing and running the crap out of my 836  shifting at 10 K constantly, than I do now taking it easy on a stock motor, and rarely  seeing redline...?. strange. .

 I really should order  in Pennzoil straight 40 , by the case....like I used before  can't find it by the quart anymore.... would save me labour and parts..

[seanbarney41]

Just remember, newer bikes have problems too.  The only old bike that has ever stranded me anywhere was the newest street bike I have ever owned.  It was not repairable....a clean old vf500f left this world.

[754]

I can't afford to fix a new one if it breaks.

[Scott S]

 I can't get away from hanging idle issues lately and it really pisses me off.
 The last three 550's have had the same problem.

 No intake leaks. Jetting is good. Timing is good. Trim advance springs. Clean and lube mechanism.  Adjust mixture screws. And on and on and on.
 And I don't think it's carb related because if I slip the clutch it will stop.
 I cleaned the mechanism and trimmed one spring yesterday.  Should have trimmed both.
 When my electronic ignition gets here, I'll trim the other, set timing with the strobe and sync the carbs.
 Betcha I'll still have the same problem.

 And what pissed me off this morning was a leaking valve cover gasket. I guess I'm lucky that's an easy enough fix while in the frame. Ordered a new gasket today.

[Don R]

 I have a chrome valve cover that always leaks, I've sanded it on glass, bought Cyclex metal core gaskets, glued trouble spots, a couple sets of valve cap o rings, new tach seal, etc,,,  Next time it's coming off forever for one with no chrome. The good part is, this frame was hacked when I got it and I repaired it with parts from a wreck and a weld in drop out kit. I've had the top end off a couple times in frame.

[754]

Where is it leaking from ? 
 Scott do your carbs have 2 return springs ? Maybe one is off ?

[scunny]

I didn't know "crabs have 2 retun springs"  just jokes.
What I have noticed is I rode my 650 all the time, gave it heaps and it loved it, hardly had to touch a thing apart from the usual maintenance. Enter into the garage a VTR1000F3, the poor old girl hasn't racked up the miles while I enjoy the (90)V twin.
Result, 650 plays up. Remedy, the 650 has got to start getting in some hard yards again.

[Scott S]

Where is it leaking from ? 
 Scott do your crabs have 2 retun springs ? Maybe one is off ?

 My leak or DonR's?
 Mine is from the valve cover near the #4 tappet cover (but not the tappet cover). Did the powder test to identufy.

 The 500/550 carbs use one VERY strong spring. And I also don't think it's carb related because I make sure there's no throttle free play, slop, etc., causing it. Carbs/throttle snap back sharply and cleanly.

[Mark1976]

  Interesting topic, I've never had more than 5 bikes at anyone time and over the years have whittled it down to just one now ('77 cb400f). In all that time the one thing I always remembered when I had more than one bike was, having to do the constant maintenance. Like Scott, I really like vintage bikes just not bunches of them anymore, (less bike time, more wife time. its a whole lot cheaper that way) but as I reduced my inventory that feeling of maintenance "dread" dissipated as there was just that much less to do. Now having to do anything like repairs and chasing down leaks the occasional tune up really doesn't bother me as much, (my 400f hasn't leaked a drop in years) its really the way its always been when you think about it, having more than one bike just amplifies something that as you get older you have less tolerance for. I used to own a 850 Norton, it leaking oil was just part of the experience, I miss the bike but not the up keep or the oil on my garage floor. I can walk away from my bike now if there's a problem and then come back to it when I have the patience, I love to ride and I really enjoy wrenching on them, just not constantly. Now having said all that, Today I just bought a '76 cb550f, orange. its been setting in a barn for 30 years, I pick it up tomorrow.....

[ken65]

I feel ya pain Scott.  Been trying to sort out a major air leak on an old H1 oil pump.
 Just thrown another $550 (AUD) on it . Another pump , nos oil line and another set of stat o seals.
About to go out on the bandit 1250 for a ride. Hardest thing about riding it is putting on my shoes and socks.

[andy750]

I think we have all been there; highs and lows of old bikes. Sounds like you have old-bike burnout.

As for me I have had the same 2 CB750s (72, and 74) for 20 years and before that had a CB750F2 (78) for 7 years. I have had the engines out multiple times over the years and have done extensive work on both the 72 and 74. In 2010 I bought myself a modern bike - VStrom (2003 model) and it was obviously a completely different bike - had its fair share of maintenance issues (fuel pump, starter switch, rotor magnets falling off). But for me a great ride and offered something different to the 750s. But I always go back to the 750s as they are just so much fun to ride. The 72 is out of commission right now as I cant seem to set timing on the Dyna S but the 74 is now at the point of needing nothing (for now) and its a joy to ride. But its also good to know I can customise it, here and there as needed. And its just left 90,000 miles so I excited to get it past 100,000. The 72 is just divine to ride - hot summers day, back country roads and that bike just sings. Bit of a Princess though 

BTW for the me the hanging idle on the K4 turned out to be spark plugs (and yes I chased everything else down).

Good luck!
cheers
Andy   

[Scott S]

 Spark plugs? How? Can you elaborate?

[70CB750]

I hear you.  Last year I chased charging problem in Red for what seemed like forever.   It was the field coil  - checked ok when cold and had a short when warm. 

[ekpent]

 I played with a hanging idle on a 550 I had for awhile. I could push down on the linkage between the carbs on the right side of the bank with my finger by those large hex head caps and it would lower the rpm. Went in and re-synched lowering the synch screws and resetting it all and it helped out.

[Scott S]

 This is Ruby.
 Ruby is a 1963 ragtop that I bought from the original owner in 1994 and did a bare metal restoration.  Two owner, never rusted, never wrecked. Sold new here in my hometown. She also has a stroker motor, 48 IDA's and a Berg 5-speed.
 I did air cooled VW's before I discovered vintage bikes. But now Ruby sits a lot. If it's nice enough to take her out, it's also nice enough to ride.

 It's not good for vintage stuff to sit. We all know that.

 I took Ruby out for a few hours today. Ran like a top but I smelled something..."funky"... the whole time. Got her home and was cleaning her up when it hit me: "I know what that is! Sulfuric acid. ".
 Checked the battery and it's hot as blazes. Did some trouble shooting and the regulator has #$%* the bed. Probably stuck from sitting too much. Probably less than 10k miles on it, but at least 15 years old.
 Luckily, it should be a simple fix and no acid was spilled. It was just venting from the battery. I could still hear it sizzling 30 minutes after I parked it.

 And THAT'S  why I consider selling most of the old stuff. Sell some bikes, keep Ruby and get a new Speed Twin,  and just USE stuff instead of hoarding it.

[scottly]

I've had the same symptoms, and in my case the charging system was fine, but the battery had a shorted cell, making it the equivalent of a 10 volt battery.

[Scott S]

 It was showing 13.3V after sitting for a few minutes. Showed 15+V when revved.
 I disconnected the regulator and checked voltage at the alternator when revving and saw 15.99. My guess is that regulator isn't regulating.

[simon#42]

every so often i think of getting rid of all the old bikes and buying a couple of new ones that will do everything i need without all the fuss of the old ones . i even sit down and look at what bikes to buy , after a few hours of trying i realise that i dont like any of them . this sort of cheers me up enough to go and fix one of the old ones .

[andy750]

Scott last summer with my K4 and new 836cc kit I tried the following for hanging idle:

1. New airbox-carb rubber
2. New carb-engine rubber
3. Checked for air leaks - none
4. Changed carbs to a new rack
5. Fiddled with the air screws - helped a little especially after a long (+20 mile) ride.

Bike would be fine at idle but after a 20 min run -hanging idle.

Looked at the HT leads and spark plug boots - all fine. Eventually replaced the new Densos for new NGK 8EAs and haging idle went away. So while it may have a been a combination of changes that was the one that seemed to "solve it " for me. Plugs looked fine before/after the change but the symptons went away after a change. I dont like the incomplete explanation but Id probably say it was the fine adjustments in the air screws and the brand new plugs that helped the most.

Good luck
Andy

[Mark1976]

Simon#42
+1.
I can relate to that.

[seanbarney41]

I just went for a blast on this...too damn loud and that yoshimura pipe has always made an untuneable (by me anyway) flat spot...but I love it.  I will never sell it.  It will be the last bike I own.  Whether I can ride it or not.

[dave the welder]

sean no such thing as TO DAMN LOUD. that's why they make ear plugs