Topic: Finally on the Road!!!!!!!!!

[Heironymous Josh]

So, my 77' 750F has been sitting next my house, forgotten in a long list of projects I had this summer.  When I bought it, it barely ran and was mired by electrical problems.  Now, I've got it on the road for the last few weeks of summer!  I had a few questions for you guys though.  Yesterday, was the first day of riding after 4 months of sitting.  Before it sat, I changed the oil, adjusted the valves and gave the carbs a good cleaning.  The tank did have some old gas in it, maybe a half a gallon which got mixed with the gallon of new gas I put in it.  After 10 or so miles of riding it started to lose power, felt like it was running on less than 4 cylinders and eventually died.  After the highly scientific spit on the thumb test, sure enough cylinders 1 and 4 weren't firing like the middle two.  I suspected fouled plugs, replaced them this morning and it runs great but I've only been out for a mile.  I poured 2 oz of BG 44k in the tank and filled 'er up to help clean the carbs that have been sitting with rotten gas for months.  My question is, would old gas be enough to foul the plugs?  Also, I have removed the insert from my pseudo-kirker 4-1 exhaust awaiting glass and I'm getting really loud popping when I decelerate.  I'm not sure if it's a full on backfire but it's loud.  It will kind of crackle and pop when the motor winds down.  Is this normal?  Thanks for the help guys!

Josh

Also, I almost forgot.  The shifter is sticking.  It doesn't return to the middle like it should.  I'm having to use my toes way more than practical.  I did remove the cover to get the the front sprocket I replaced a few months back.  Any input would be fantastic!!!

[shields102]

To put you mind at ease to some degree; popping on deceleration is called "afterfire". Its unused fuel igniting it the exhaust and is harmless.  A "backfire", is fuel ignition in the head and is very, very, bad.

It is somewhat common in open exhaust systems on any vehicle to hear afterfire popping on decel.....I kinda like it personally.

BTW, afterfires are also common with rich conditions between shifts.....see race / rally cars.

Hope this helps.

[UnCrash]

You can hear the afterfire on my 78 750F on deceleration and I'm getting nearly 50mpg.  It's all good.

[S-Dog]

You can hear the afterfire on my 78 750F on deceleration and I'm getting nearly 50mpg.  It's all good.

and your bike is BALLSY!!!

[Heironymous Josh]

I definitely dig the afterfire, especially with the open pipes.  I had the fouling problem again today after only a mile or so on fresh gas.  Any ideas on what could be causing the plugs to foul so quickly?

[smccloud]

not sure on the plugs fowling, but when you had the cover under the shifter off did you put a gasket under it?  i took mine off to replace some seals and had to coble the old gasket back together with some high temp rtv......

[Heironymous Josh]

Yeah the original gasket fell apart.  Luckily we have a bike shop in town that cuts gaskets on demand so I got a replacement.

[smccloud]

Yeah the original gasket fell apart.  Luckily we have a bike shop in town that cuts gaskets on demand so I got a replacement.

might no be thick enough.  i dread having to pull that cover off mine (and i have to) so i can check the automagical chain oiler, or should i say oil puddle former

[Heironymous Josh]

So, are you saying that if the cover presses too far into the motor it binds up the shifter?  I hadn't thought of that!  I'll try loosening the bolts and pulling the cover out a teensy bit to see if the gasket is indeed too thin.  Thanks for the input!

[smccloud]

So, are you saying that if the cover presses too far into the motor it binds up the shifter?  I hadn't thought of that!  I'll try loosening the bolts and pulling the cover out a teensy bit to see if the gasket is indeed too thin.  Thanks for the input!

took me half an hour to figure out, and i pulled that cover many times.

[Heironymous Josh]

Update:  smmcloud, thanks so much for your input.  I went back to my cycle shop and had them cut me a 1/32 gasket (the 1st was 1/64) and presto!  The shifter returns to center without fail.  I took her out for 130 miles yesterday, no problems.  She's firing on all four, runs smooth and is getting good mileage (about 40, could be better I know).  ToDo list: timing checkup, carb sync, exhaust work.  I noticed an exhaust leak from the block to the headers, mainly on cyl 1.  I backed the bolts out to take a look and all 4 gaskets are non existent.  Any ideas on where to find these on the cheap with out buying a whole gasket set?  Also, I've yet to affix the front fender that was in need of repair.  How dangerous is it to ride these bikes without it?  I know the fender acts as a brace for the forks but I've seen numerous guys go without.  I plan on putting it back on but will delay future long rides until I do so if it's really a big deal.  Thanks everyone for your input!

Josh

[smccloud]

Update:   smmcloud, thanks so much for your input.   I went back to my cycle shop and had them cut me a 1/32 gasket (the 1st was 1/64) and presto!   The shifter returns to center without fail.   I took her out for 130 miles yesterday, no problems.   She's firing on all four, runs smooth and is getting good mileage (about 40, could be better I know).   ToDo list: timing checkup, carb sync, exhaust work.   I noticed an exhaust leak from the block to the headers, mainly on cyl 1.   I backed the bolts out to take a look and all 4 gaskets are non existent.   Any ideas on where to find these on the cheap with out buying a whole gasket set?   Also, I've yet to affix the front fender that was in need of repair.   How dangerous is it to ride these bikes without it?   I know the fender acts as a brace for the forks but I've seen numerous guys go without.   I plan on putting it back on but will delay future long rides until I do so if it's really a big deal.   Thanks everyone for your input!

Josh

check your spokes too, I had 2 rear wheel spokes break on me while I was riding

[Heironymous Josh]

Would wiggling each of them be a sufficient test?

[spitfire]

Try slowly spinning the wheel and dragging a screwdriver on the spokes, loose spokes sound flat.

Cheers

Den

[smccloud]

if you find any loose ones, find someone that knows what they are doing to check the wheel over.

[andy750]

For exhaust gaskets - any Honda dealer or somewhere like BikeBandit has them. Not so expensive.

cheers
Andy

[smccloud]

this is funny, you get yours on the road and i take mine off the road.  pulled the rear wheel off tonight, its easier to pull it off when 3 spokes are broken and the tire is flat.

[Heironymous Josh]

You know what, I'm retarded.  You said spokes and I reverted back to my bicycle building days.  It didn't even occur to me that being a 77 SS, it has aluminum Comstars!  Thanks for the advice guys!