Topic: The highs and lows of old bikes

[ken65]

In the last few days I've rebuilt and been testing  my vacuum fuel tap for my H1.
I flatted and polished all the mating surfaces and it still leaks albeit about one drop every minute or two out of a couple of lines.
I've had it apart a dozen times and this is the best result.

One word - Pingel

http://www.pingelonline.com/motorcycle-fuel-valves/triple-outlet-8210-t-ah.asp

Okay, so you have to turn it off & on, but hey, I have a twin-shock CBX, so it's second nature...

How come it looks like there is  a reducer from the pengels   5/16ths outlet to a 4 /16ths pipe??
is that necessary ??

[simon#42]

not the most elegant solution i have ever seen . i am sure it works though .  i used a single outlet pingel   and two t pieces it looked a bit less cluttered

[grcamna2]

In the last few days I've rebuilt and been testing  my vacuum fuel tap for my H1.
I flatted and polished all the mating surfaces and it still leaks albeit about one drop every minute or two out of a couple of lines.
I've had it apart a dozen times and this is the best result.

One word - Pingel

http://www.pingelonline.com/motorcycle-fuel-valves/triple-outlet-8210-t-ah.asp

Okay, so you have to turn it off & on, but hey, I have a twin-shock CBX, so it's second nature...

How come it looks like there is  a reducer from the pengels   5/16ths outlet to a 4 /16ths pipe??
is that necessary ??

Probably reducers to get the correct diameter lines to the carbs..  Also make sure to straighten the cables that are twisted on the carb tops:you don't want any sticking throttle cables ! 

[Stev-o]

not the most elegant solution i have ever seen .

+1.  Looks like a plumbers nightmare!

[Scott S]

 Started removing the valve cover on the 550 to address the oil leak and found a loose screw. I could actually see the valve cover move as I tightened it. Could I be so lucky!?

 Nope.
 Tightened it down, set the timing and synced the carbs. And the leak was still there. Pulled the cover and found a pinched and broken O-ring. Replaced it, using 3-Bond to hold it in the groove. Adjusted the valves and installed bodywork. Went for a ride.

 And now it's leaking from the other side. Just shoot me.

[ekpent]

BANG !!   

[WhyNot2]

Started removing the valve cover on the 550 to address the oil leak and found a loose screw. I could actually see the valve cover move as I tightened it. Could I be so lucky!?

 Nope.
 Tightened it down, set the timing and synced the carbs. And the leak was still there. Pulled the cover and found a pinched and broken O-ring. Replaced it, using 3-Bond to hold it in the groove. Adjusted the valves and installed bodywork. Went for a ride.

 And now it's leaking from the other side. Just shoot me.

I feel the same way......can't get any of these darn things running right.

[Trevor from Warragul]

How come it looks like there is  a reducer from the pengels   5/16ths outlet to a 4 /16ths pipe??
is that necessary ??

The outlets for the Pingel are 5/16, the inlets for the Mikuni are 3/16.  You can heat the 3/16 clear fuel line & stretch it over the Pingel outlets, however, the fuel line hardens over time & can be a bugger to get off.  I got the reducers for pure convenience sake.  The clamps are not absolutely necessary.

make sure to straighten the cables that are twisted on the carb tops:you don't want any sticking throttle cables !

I'm not quite sure what you mean.  None of the throttle cables are twisted, and they all have a straight run.  The middle throttle cable has a sharper curve, because the aftermarket grey cable is a bit shorter than it should be.  Maybe the separate side choke cables are confusing things...

Looks like a plumbers nightmare!

There are 3 throttle cables, 3 choke cables, 1 oil pump cable, 1 clutch cable, 3 fuel lines & 3 oil pump lines behind the motor.  It can be a bit tricky to route it all!

[grcamna2]

My perspective could be a little off morini,I'm just looking from the side,only way to know is when You have the tank off.

[andy750]

Started removing the valve cover on the 550 to address the oil leak and found a loose screw. I could actually see the valve cover move as I tightened it. Could I be so lucky!?

 Nope.
 Tightened it down, set the timing and synced the carbs. And the leak was still there. Pulled the cover and found a pinched and broken O-ring. Replaced it, using 3-Bond to hold it in the groove. Adjusted the valves and installed bodywork. Went for a ride.

 And now it's leaking from the other side. Just shoot me.

I feel the same way......can't get any of these darn things running right.

Dont give up as when they run, you cannot stop smiling. I had an amazing 300 mile ride on Saturday on my 1974 CB750 and I am still thinking about it. Then on Sunday I solved the problem of why my CB750K2 was not firing after a DynaS install...the test drive was pure joy! Like I said dont give up its worth it.

cheers
Andy

[scottly]

What was the fix, Andy?

[Trevor from Warragul]

My 1976 Morini 3 1/2 Sport started making a "clanking" noise late last year.  I changed the oil, replaced the cambelt & adjusted the valves.  The noise was still there.  No metal in the oil though.  The bike made it through the move to Warragul, but I haven't ridden it since.  I finally got around to delving into the motor.  I dropped the oil, and there were silvery metal bits present.  Crap!  I pulled the front cylinder off, and the rings & bore look really good.  Damn, I was hoping for a broken ring!  It's probably a loose nut on the primary drive pinion.  Clutch needs to come out, then the left inner drive cover can be removed, then I can get to the oil pump & primary drive pinion.  If it's not that, then the motor has to come out.  It's vertically split, which is a pain.  Fun & games!

Trevor

[WhyNot2]

Started removing the valve cover on the 550 to address the oil leak and found a loose screw. I could actually see the valve cover move as I tightened it. Could I be so lucky!?

 Nope.
 Tightened it down, set the timing and synced the carbs. And the leak was still there. Pulled the cover and found a pinched and broken O-ring. Replaced it, using 3-Bond to hold it in the groove. Adjusted the valves and installed bodywork. Went for a ride.

 And now it's leaking from the other side. Just shoot me.

I feel the same way......can't get any of these darn things running right.

Dont give up as when they run, you cannot stop smiling. I had an amazing 300 mile ride on Saturday on my 1974 CB750 and I am still thinking about it. Then on Sunday I solved the problem of why my CB750K2 was not firing after a DynaS install...the test drive was pure joy! Like I said dont give up its worth it.

cheers
Andy

oh, i know........just loved it when it ran good enough to ride.

[andy750]

What was the fix, Andy?

One of those embarassing mistakes:

1. Installed Dyna S ok
2. Wired it all up ok
3. Timed it by static timing
4. Put gas tank back on and tried to fire it up - nothing
5. Checked spark on all plugs - yes (checked a few times to make sure and even changed plugs)
6. Checked fuel was getting to carbs - yes

So why wouldnt it fire?

Turned out when putting gas tank back on the power wire to the Dyna s was coming loose. Once that was fixed and gas tank back on it fired right up with a rock steady idle. Test run confirmed it with a big smile. Only small tweak I think I need to make is probably strobe time it as a get a slight gurgle (not quite a pop) on decel. However pulls hard up to 70mph. Need a proper highway run to confirm all is well and also check colour of plugs. But big relief as I followed all instructions and so couldnt understand why it wasnt firing.

This 810cc K2 is a pure joy to ride.

cheers
Andy

[Stev-o]

What was the fix, Andy?

One of those embarassing mistakes:

1. Installed Dyna S ok
2. Wired it all up ok
3. Timed it by static timing
4. Put gas tank back on and tried to fire it up - nothing
5. Checked spark on all plugs - yes (checked a few times to make sure and even changed plugs)
6. Checked fuel was getting to carbs - yes

So why wouldnt it fire?

Turned out when putting gas tank back on the power wire to the Dyna s was coming loose. Once that was fixed and gas tank back on it fired right up with a rock steady idle. Test run confirmed it with a big smile. Only small tweak I think I need to make is probably strobe time it as a get a slight gurgle (not quite a pop) on decel. However pulls hard up to 70mph. Need a proper highway run to confirm all is well and also check colour of plugs. But big relief as I followed all instructions and so couldnt understand why it wasnt firing.

This 810cc K2 is a pure joy to ride.

cheers
Andy

Perfect example of the lows and the highs!  Glad it was minor.

[Scott S]

 I'm done. I think I'm gonna sell all the old bikes and buy a Jeep or Bronco or something. Top goes down, GF and dogs go in. Go riding and hiking instead of wrenching and chasing old-bike problems.

 - Finished the Hippy Bike CB500/550. Valve cover end caps leaked. Changed O-rings and crush washers. Still leaked. Tried different end caps. Still leaked. Ordered $25 worth of genuine Honda O-rings. One end still leaks. And this is a '77 engine with the upgraded cover, so the ends shouldn't be wallowed out.

 - Swapped cables on the CB450 since I put on lower bars. Genuine Honda cables. Lubed up, made sure they move freely (b/c they are used). Studied shop manual and owners manual for routing. F*&$#ng things still want to hang up and bind.

 - Been starting the Suzuki GS550/Katana every few days to keep it running until I can get to the dyno, because it needs carb tuning. Start one day, rev, idle. Three days later...won't start. Turns over, has spark. I suspect the vacuum petcock. I don't want to work on it.

 - Get a #$%*ty comment on my Bring A Trailer listing. "$3K opening bid on a no-reserve auction for a meh-model mid-’70s Honda. Interesting strategy." #$%*. So don't bid. When CT70's, CT90/110's are bring twice that much, I think that's an OK bid. I've seen "lesser" bikes bring a lot more. Yeah....it's the internet and social media, but it takes the wind out of my sails.

 Anybody want a bunch of old bikes?

[ekpent]

 Does your Suzuki 550 have a 'prime' setting on the petcock like its bigger brothers so you can bypass the vacuum and get a direct flow ? Hopefully your luck gets better soon on these old bikes or do what I do sometimes and walk away from them for awhile and do some other fun stuff.
  Some excellent material though for the "pissed off" thread 

[Scott S]

 Unfortunately, no. No prime prime position. I know how I can test it....I just don't want to work on it anymore.

[spotty]

Know where you're coming from there, after today's little episode on the vmax where I hit a pothole and the electrics crapped out im getting kind of sick of fragile old sh1t, I'm stood on the side of the road waiting for a bus when I should be home drinking beer and cooking chilli sauce ( my own secret recipe if anyone wants it )
What should have been a pleasant afternoon ride chasing new Camo pants and beer has turned into the day from hell
If nothing else it inspires me to finish Terry's zzr11 and see what 90s biking was like

[WhyNot2]

I'm done. I think I'm gonna sell all the old bikes and buy a Jeep or Bronco or something. Top goes down, GF and dogs go in. Go riding and hiking instead of wrenching and chasing old-bike problems.

 - Finished the Hippy Bike CB500/550. Valve cover end caps leaked. Changed O-rings and crush washers. Still leaked. Tried different end caps. Still leaked. Ordered $25 worth of genuine Honda O-rings. One end still leaks. And this is a '77 engine with the upgraded cover, so the ends shouldn't be wallowed out.

 - Swapped cables on the CB450 since I put on lower bars. Genuine Honda cables. Lubed up, made sure they move freely (b/c they are used). Studied shop manual and owners manual for routing. F*&$#ng things still want to hang up and bind.

 - Been starting the Suzuki GS550/Katana every few days to keep it running until I can get to the dyno, because it needs carb tuning. Start one day, rev, idle. Three days later...won't start. Turns over, has spark. I suspect the vacuum petcock. I don't want to work on it.

 - Get a #$%*ty comment on my Bring A Trailer listing. "$3K opening bid on a no-reserve auction for a meh-model mid-’70s Honda. Interesting strategy." #$%*. So don't bid. When CT70's, CT90/110's are bring twice that much, I think that's an OK bid. I've seen "lesser" bikes bring a lot more. Yeah....it's the internet and social media, but it takes the wind out of my sails.

 Anybody want a bunch of old bikes?

I feel ya brother............same boat here, have 2 sohc fours, and neither one of them will run.

750 and 350 fours, have owned them for years and haven't been able to ride them at all.

sitting in the darn garage, taking up space.

the little 100 runs, not well, but does run, so i play with it in the back yard, the 350 twin is spread out in the shed, garage, and house.

[dave500]

#$%*?i must have good darn luck?ive only had the odd little leak and #$%* over a few rebuilds/resurrections?even with old chainsaws and #$%* i find?i cant win lotto though?or those #$%*en secret sounds they have on radio programs?mostly the low i have with old bikes is getting parts at a reasonable price?

[Kevin D]

Riding down the 8 lane M5 recently, car on my left, passenger window goes down and iPhone comes out. Young guy passenger has an ear to ear grin as he makes a video of my CB rolling down the road at 55mph. Never had that happen before. 

[dave500]

thats a good high!

[seanbarney41]

I got 5 old bikes ready to ride at the moment...worst thing is choosing which one and the fact that I need to sell 2 of them and that doesn't much happen in Michigan these days unless you want to gift 'em.  And then I just bought another kz1000 for $750...

[PeWe]

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.

Tough looking bike! The color match the black very well.
Yamiya sell diffuser that might fit the 4-1
https://www.yamiya750.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=142_88&products_id=833&language=en