Topic: Early Sandcast Found......

[BenelliSEI]

Started tearing apart a set of early K0 (4 cable) carbs I want to use here, initially. This set is mysteriously missing the main needle, clip and float valve. Does anyone have any bits or suggestions where to order “good” parts? Thanks!

Maybe. Can you send me the tiny number etched around the top of the needle? The real early K0 carbs were changed somewhere around the first of the diecast(ish) K0, and the needles in the carbs changed when they also made the 4th cable a little longer at the factory.

I’ll look for the number. I am using four new needles that came in these very complete kits. So no longer urgent...,,

[BenelliSEI]

Finished up the carbs today. Three full days!

No plating or polishing, but they are scrupulously clean, float heights are set and all four idle screws are on the base setting. Cables and bench sync next.

 I’m going to set valve clearances, points and timing, change the oil and fire this engine up. It’s been sitting for way too long (+35 years)!

[34barab]

Wondering what float height you went with?

[Don R]

 Another thought, check your other bikes for Stanley headlight bulbs. I rat holed a couple for my for early models. I've never bought a new one but found a few even in windjammer fairings. A couple years ago I made a left turn into an opposite side of the street parking spot and a police car pulled up, called me by name and told me my motorcycle headlight wasn't on. I put the key back in and checked, the low beam was out. He just wanted to let me know, no warning or anything. There is a cool cop left.

[Terry in Australia]

Another thought, check your other bikes for Stanley headlight bulbs. I rat holed a couple for my for early models. I've never bought a new one but found a few even in windjammer fairings. A couple years ago I made a left turn into an opposite side of the street parking spot and a police car pulled up, called me by name and told me my motorcycle headlight wasn't on. I put the key back in and checked, the low beam was out. He just wanted to let me know, no warning or anything. There is a cool cop left.

I take it that you're not black Don, or he probably would have shot you.........

[BenelliSEI]

Wondering what float height you went with?

I used a plastic gauge (cut out template) that I’ve had for years. It’s stamped “69-75”..... I also have a stand that I clamp the carb rack too (in my bench vice) then hook them up to a remote fuel bottle. I’ll “clear tube” them as well. Before installing on the bike, I also put the throttle cable on and clamp open the throttle about 1/3 of the way and make sure all 4 slides are at the same height in the carbs. Saves a lot of messing around when they are in the frame.

[BenelliSEI]

Another thought, check your other bikes for Stanley headlight bulbs. I rat holed a couple for my for early models. I've never bought a new one but found a few even in windjammer fairings. A couple years ago I made a left turn into an opposite side of the street parking spot and a police car pulled up, called me by name and told me my motorcycle headlight wasn't on. I put the key back in and checked, the low beam was out. He just wanted to let me know, no warning or anything. There is a cool cop left.

Don..... most of my “older” cb750s have “Tokiko” sealed beams. They last forever and I always assumed they were the original equipment, in Canada?

My favourite headlamp is a French Marchal lens/ reflector that was in a “Super Oscar”, 7” rally light I bought in the ‘70s (had a pair of them on my Cooper S). One got smashed and was totally FUBAR, but the other sat around forever. To my surprise, it fits right into the Honda lamp frame. Fantastic, concave lens, gives amazing light! And a replaceable bulb.

[34barab]

Wondering what float height you went with?

I used a plastic gauge (cut out template) that I’ve had for years. It’s stamped “69-75”..... I also have a stand that I clamp the carb rack too (in my bench vice) then hook them up to a remote fuel bottle. I’ll “clear tube” them as well. Before installing on the bike, I also put the throttle cable on and clamp open the throttle about 1/3 of the way and make sure all 4 slides are at the same height in the carbs. Saves a lot of messing around when they are in the frame.

Thanks for the informative reply.  Sounds like a very efficient setup. 

[Don R]

 I bought a Marchal for the last 400 I did, it had the parking lamp and was great. I always seem to sell my 400's for  750 money.
 Edit, I checked Yamiya has a Cibie and a Marchal headlight for the 750 The Cibie comes with the bucket with extra room. 

[Terry in Australia]

This is the Marschall I bought for my K2 bitsa from Yamiya in 2017, apart from checking it when I wired the bike, I don't think I've ever switched it on, as the poor ol' K2 bitsa has had 3 engines in 3 years, and none of them were good. I'm building one myself this time, but then the K2 is going in a Harley swap, so I'll probably never see how well it lights up the road at night.

Marschall headlight by Terry Prendergast, on Flickr

[BigJimG]

Finished up the carbs today. Three full days!

No plating or polishing, but they are scrupulously clean, float heights are set and all four idle screws are on the base setting. Cables and bench sync next.

 I’m going to set valve clearances, points and timing, change the oil and fire this engine up. It’s been sitting for way too long (+35 years)!

Those turned out looking pretty nice, can't wait to see them in action

[Don R]

 I cleaned my sandcast carbs for two days and then took them to the guy that assembled it new. He still said they were the worst he had ever seen. Full tank, petcock on, stored until the tank was empty. Thank goodness it was when gas wasn't as corrosive, no white powder.

[BenelliSEI]

Finished up the carbs today. Three full days!

No plating or polishing, but they are scrupulously clean, float heights are set and all four idle screws are on the base setting. Cables and bench sync next.

 I’m going to set valve clearances, points and timing, change the oil and fire this engine up. It’s been sitting for way too long (+35 years)!

Those turned out looking pretty nice, can't wait to see them in action

Jim..... Thanks for your help. Swapping those carbs really got me going. Much appreciated!

[BenelliSEI]

Back at it today. After installing a basic start circuit (I used a spare solenoid from my F350 FORD, bolted it to the frame, and a hardware store “horn button”), I mounted up a pair of coils. Fed power to them via a toggle switch, and connected the yellow and blue wires from the points to the coils. Set valve clearances and then filed the old points and set to 0.014”. Confirmed timing with a test light and we are set. Spun up with plugs out, nice healthy sparks on a new set of D8E’s.

Next job is to hang the fresh carbs, hook up the remote bottle, and see if this thing will make some smoke/ noise/ stink! Off Tuesday, back at it Wednesday.

[StockRider]

Back at it today. After installing a basic start circuit (I used a spare solenoid from my F350 FORD, bolted it to the frame, and a hardware store “horn button”), I mounted up a pair of coils. Fed power to them via a toggle switch, and connected the yellow and blue wires from the points to the coils. Set valve clearances and then filed the old points and set to 0.014”. Confirmed timing with a test light and we are set. Spun up with plugs out, nice healthy sparks on a new set of D8E’s.

Next job is to hang the fresh carbs, hook up the remote bottle, and see if this thing will make some smoke/ noise/ stink! Off Tuesday, back at it Wednesday.

Finished up the carbs today. Three full days!

No plating or polishing, but they are scrupulously clean, float heights are set and all four idle screws are on the base setting. Cables and bench sync next.

 I’m going to set valve clearances, points and timing, change the oil and fire this engine up. It’s been sitting for way too long (+35 years)!

I can't wait to hear your results! Mine has only been sitting dormant for 3 yrs., and it's no S/C, but that is still far too long.

On these 4-cable carbs, what is there to bench sync? [I plan to remount mine sometime in the next few weeks and I need all the pro-tips I can get.]

[BenelliSEI]

BENCH SYNC: A little bit hard to describe, but here goes....

1. Set the 4 thumb turn idle screws as described in manual. Wind them in until the sideways “T” mark on the shaft is just disappearing into the carb body and lined up with the raised rib on the carb body (viewed from above). All the slides should now be bottomed evenly.

2. Make sure all 4 top adjuster nuts are screwed fully down into the carb tops. You will notice all 4 outer cables can be pulled in and out of the adjuster 1/4 to 3/8” without moving the slides. Unscrew the adjuster enough to eliminate that slack, without lifting the slides.

3. At this point, I mount the other end of the cable to an old throttle tube, and mount it to an old set of handle bars, on the bench, with a scrap switch housing.

4. Open the throttle, with the twist grip, about 1/3 of the way and lock the throttle tube to the bars with vice grips.

5. Go back to the carbs and use the top adjusters to get all 4 slides the same height off the bottom of the carb through bore. I find a drill bit (the blunt end) that just scrapes under the lowest hanging slide. Adjust the other three to match and lock all 4 jam nuts.

This should be good to get you started. I then sync the carbs at idle, using my Motion Pro sticks, with the thumb turns. Finally, use the cable adjuster at the throttle tube end to take any new slack, out of the main cable. Make sense?.

[StockRider]

This should be good to get you started. I then sync the carbs at idle, using my Motion Pro sticks, with the thumb turns. Finally, use the cable adjuster at the throttle tube end to take any new slack, out of the main cable. Make sense?.

Makes great sense! I was staring at my carbs, sitting on my bench, and things just weren't syncing up.

Now that I see there are a few more parts required I will try to rig/jig up a way to do this with the throttle cable still on the bike, since I don't have a spare.

[BenelliSEI]

This should be good to get you started. I then sync the carbs at idle, using my Motion Pro sticks, with the thumb turns. Finally, use the cable adjuster at the throttle tube end to take any new slack, out of the main cable. Make sense?.

Makes great sense! I was staring at my carbs, sitting on my bench, and things just weren't syncing up.

Now that I see there are a few more parts required I will try to rig/jig up a way to do this with the throttle cable still on the bike, since I don't have a spare.

That will work... it’s so much easier if you can stare straight down the intake when doing this. When your done, gently lift the needle/ slide assemblies out of the carbs. Install the rack on the bike, them put the slides back in..... good luck!

P.S. when you do this, don’t use a spare cable. Use the one you plan for the bike. They are all slightly different.....

[bwaller]

I've been away and am just catching up on the forum again.

This is a very cool project, congratulations. If you're going to change the oil, removing the oil tank for a good cleaning might be wise. There can be all manner of hidden junk in it even with low mileage on the engine. Just another hour or so delay!

Fingers crossed and will watch for your report.

[MauiK3]

When I did all the work to my K3 750 I remember cleaning the oil tank. The bike has a little over 30,000 miles and it was in pretty good shape, if a bit tired. The oil tank had some pretty goopy stuff in it, I think from sitting a lot. Flushed it all out.

[PeWe]

+3 oil tank
Dirt in oil tank will hit the oil pump.
A good advice to clean it and see it is clean. Oil lines too.

I had to clean one tank with degreaser, fuel and whatever I could find to remove bitumen looking stuff.

[Don R]

 Agreed on the tank, there is a low area that makes sort of a sump. I've seen some nasty crud in a couple of them. I've used a shop vac with a tubing extension. After watching mythbusters vacuum flammable liquids and not turning the vac into a jet engine I became less afraid of vacuuming up a little brakeclean. 

[BenelliSEI]

So...... Today was the day. After valve clearances, point gap, static timing check, spun the motor and got a healthy spark. Installed the fresh carbs, and #2 was dumping fuel out the over flow! Discovered the pipe was split all the way up! Soldered it closed and tried again. All good.

Hit the starter and it came on INSTANTLY! perfect idle, smooth, 70-75 psi oil pressure throughout! Ran it for 10-15 minutes and dumped the oil. Filter had some “grey foam” but no debris, so tossed in a new filter, a few litres of fresh oil and will run it again tomorrow. NO primary or cam chain noise, no leaks. What a great day. Did a video, but can’t seem to post. Photos later.... wahoo!

[newday777]

As I was reading through today's reply I was thinking I'd post this was a wahoo day! Ya beat me to it but it still is a Yahoo Wahhoo day! Good to hear it breathes.

[bek1966]

That's great news, congratulations!