Topic: What did you do to your bike today ?

[Burvis]

Started it for the first time!  I have been building it for almost a year, and today it fired for the first time.  Here's a link to my blog about the bike, a 1971 Honda CB500 - j4ckcampbe11.tumblr.com



So, it's running on 3 out of 4 cylinders - badly.  I have to leave the choke on to run at all, it seems to run best on about half choke, and it won't idle, despite the idle screw being all the way in.

We pulled the #4 plug, checked gap, verified spark, then I checked the float bowl, it's getting gas.

The engine is rebuilt - bored +3mm to 560 cc, new everything, plugs (Ndea7 gapped to .032) points, condenser, etc.  Valve clearances set and checked.  The coils, plug wires and caps are all old but functional.

Any ideas from the hive mind why it doesn't run any better?

[calj737]

Open a topic on the Bike or Project thread with your issue. Plenty of ideas available

[seanbarney41]

...ditched the previous owners shidt pod filters and installed HA Breadbox with fresh UNI foam, runs nice with 4-1 and 120 mains

[DaveBarbier]

Not my bike, but my friend has a 2002 Harley and I'm nice enough to help him out. He said that his rear lights were working strangely and didn't know why. So we pulled the rear fender and found this:



Apparently PO's F-up all bikes, not just SOHC4s!

When I had my 2005 Sportster 1200R, I found that the wire harness going to the rear tail light and turn signals was run under the fender, so it doesn't surprise me that the harness in the picture looks like that.  Since most HD owners lower their bikes, it was probably months/years of the tire rubbing against the harness, or something like that, and there's the result.

Yeah, it seemed like that happened here. But it was also filled with bullet connectors and electrical tape, so that didn't help.


---
1978 Honda CB550K

[PeWe]

I'm now with my CB750 project where I should have been 1 year ago!
Last problem a Dyna ignition wire with intermittent failure, engine cyl ran bad not completely off. This have caused problems most of 2014.

I have had more problems last restore (engine start end of 2013) than all years I have had with the bike before, 79-90 when  I just took it appart and back together again, started on first attempt running fine. (Except for a piston melt down due to lean carbs, maybe together with ignition)

This is the engine tuning related only since end of 2013 until today
- Ign advancer springs too sloppy causing really bad idle when full adv at 1500rpm
- Flowing carb floats (My old VM29). Some pitch black spark plugs due to these 2 first issues.
- New Ultimate coil had weak wire attachment, screws just broke from it with wires, ended up in fried Pamco unit (2-3). No warranty when I bought it over 1 year earlier. Used it 2-3 months winter time mostly not running bike.
- Bought new Dyna-S ignition with 5 ohms coils and Dyna suppressed wires, one of the wires must have been bad from the beginning or almost making carb jetting impossible. Too late for warranty, I might have broken it.
- Carb jetting during 2014 (Mikuni VM29) ended up in new much better carbs 2015, Mikuni TMR32

Upon this broken HD cyl stud, changing cams several times, bad new CycleX valves, new rear brake switch had bad plug insulation that fell off that ended up in short cicuit twice-  bike stopper. Threads in head bad, need helicoil and big-sert when helicoil went bad holding cam.
Problems riveting my new a very tough chain with solid link. Hollow link next time.

Finally runnig almost OK and no oil leak. I had one big last week, it was the front bolt on breather cover on valve cover that was not tightened at all. Oil all over the engine and my left leg. I was close to lift valve cover, cam and cam towers to fix rubber pucks and reseal cam holder stud(s). Happy to not need that. Every removal/assemble of valve cover and cam holders is a major risk getting a stripped thread or 2, 3.

[Ace]

I'm now with my CB750 project where I should have been 1 year ago!
Last problem a Dyna ignition wire with intermittent failure, engine cyl ran bad not completely off. This have caused problems most of 2014.

I have had more problems last restore (engine start end of 2013) than all years I have had with the bike before, 79-90 when  I just took it appart and back togehter again, started on first attempt running fine. (Except for a piston melt down due to lean carbs, maybe together with ignition)

This is the engine tuning related only since end of 2013 until today
- Ign advancer springs too sloppy causing really bad idle when full adv at 1500rpm
- Flowing carb floats (My old VM29). Some pitch black spark plugs due to these 2 first issues.
- New Ultimate coil had weak wire attachment, screws just broke from it with wires, ended up in fried Pamco unit (2-3). No warranty when I bought it over 1 year earlier. Used it 2-3 months winter time mostly not running bike.
- Bought new Dyna-S ignition with 5 ohms coils and Dyna suppressed wires, one of the wires must have been bad from the beginning or almost making carb jetting impossible. Too late for warranty, I might have broken it.
- Carb jetting during 2014 (Mikuni VM29) ended up in new much better carbs 2015, Mikuni TMR32

Upon this broken HD cyl stud, changing cams several times, bad new CycleX valves, new rear brake switch had bad plug insulation that fell off that ended up in short cicuit twice-  bike stopper. Threads in head bad, need helicoil and big-sert when helicoil went bad holding cam.
Problems riveting my new a very tough chain with solid link. Hollow link next time.

Finally runnig almost OK and no oil leak. I had one big last week, it was the front bolt on breather cover on valve cover that was not tightened at all. Oil all over the engine and my left leg. I was close to lift valve cover, cam and cam towers to fix rubber pucks and reseal cam holder stud(s). Happy to not need that. Every removal/assemble of valve cover and cam holders is a major risk getting a stripped thread or 2, 3.

Gee wiz PeWe, a run of things not going your way. Finished up 1am this morning putting the engine in the bike and connecting things. Still have the air box, pipes to go and then I'll run it and sync it. I've had the problem of poor valve guide seals, oil getting past rings and fuel in the air box. I think that maybe from too rich idle mixture?? Haven't looked into that one yet. Good luck with your ride.

[MoMo]

After I got back from the Ephrata Breakfast I had to take the battery out of the Pacific Coast(better known as the golf cart).  What a PITA!    Had to remove half the right side of the bike just to get at the battery.  All the following had to come off


just to reveal this

[canonball]

replaced a fuel line that was leaking, new headlight installed, new battery is charging at the moment and then that will go in, I've also got a new chain and sprockets waiting to go on as well. Getting a late start on prepping the bike for the great weather we're starting to get around here.

[Ace]

Put fuel in the carbys, hit the started and away she went after a rebuild. Sounded better than before. Ran for 15 mins about 2000 rpm. Later on warmed it back up and sync'd the carbs. All back together again. Knocking back a cold one now and pleased with my efforts. No leaks yet 

[PeWe]

Ace: Nice that your bike is OK too after the rebuild.
I had bad combination of errors. Not tuned carbs with unknown need of jets and interrmittent ignition wire at the same time. If carbs were known to be OK, I should have replaced the wires much earlier.

Bike is running better and better. Now rather smooth idle, nice handling cruising around without jerky throttle responce when starting from standing still.
Did 2 test runs today with different main jets, both in the right direction going leaner. Changed them again one step smaller, I'll test them tomorrow.

[Ace]

Ace: Nice that your bike is OK too after the rebuild.
I had bad combination of errors. Not tuned carbs with unknown need of jets and interrmittent ignition wire at the same time. If carbs were known to be OK, I should have replaced the wires much earlier.

Bike is running better and better. Now rather smooth idle, nice handling cruising around without jerky throttle responce when starting from standing still.
Did 2 test runs today with different main jets, both in the right direction going leaner. Changed them again one step smaller, I'll test them tomorrow.

I had my bike tuned by an engine builder/racer many years ago who knew his stuff. Since then, I haven't had to change the jetting. I've done the emulsion tube mod as suggested by Hondaman and that's it. Sometimes it pays for someone else to do it if you can find someone who you trust that has all the right gear and knows their stuff.

[Tintop]

Changed the bars for a Renthal super bike set. Should save my back somewhat. Got lucky and all the custom short cables made for the flat bars work OK.  Ordered a Yosh copy 4-1 for it.  The police are doing db checks, and it wouldn't have passed with the 4-4 mega's.

[calj737]

Changed the bars for a Renthal super bike set. Should save my back somewhat. Got lucky and all the custom short cables made for the flat bars work OK.  Ordered a Yosh copy 4-1 for it.  The police are doing db checks, and it wouldn't have passed with the 4-4 mega's.

You.l probably have more issues with the 4:1 then. They tend to be much louder 

[seanbarney41]

Changed the bars for a Renthal super bike set. Should save my back somewhat. Got lucky and all the custom short cables made for the flat bars work OK.  Ordered a Yosh copy 4-1 for it.  The police are doing db checks, and it wouldn't have passed with the 4-4 mega's.

You.l probably have more issues with the 4:1 then. They tend to be much louder 

the Yosh might be loud...but an sohc4 with 4 open megas is really fargin LOUD, ear splitting loud, sonic reducer loud, women and children running and crying loud, grown men gnashing their teeth loud...

[Tintop]

the Yosh might be loud...but an sohc4 with 4 open megas is really fargin LOUD, ear splitting loud, sonic reducer loud, women and children running and crying loud, grown men gnashing their teeth loud...

and that's at idle

At least now the Harleys will get stopped for the db check, not me.

[evanphi]

Re-re-routed the fuel lines.


Airbox mod.



Also built myself a new fuse panel for ATC fuses. No pics, though... all tucked away now!

Got some final touchups done on my headers. All black again now! Going to properly bake on the paint this time.

[DaveBarbier]

Just waiting on a shorter clutch cable from Motion Pro...stuck in Cali right now. Hope it makes it's way to the east coast soon! Also I've been looking into getting an English wheel to try my hand at making a new seat with a hump. Should be fun!


---
1978 Honda CB550K

[evanphi]

Something came in the mail today! Thanks Rafi! (aka edwardmorris)



Shop night on Friday!

[70CB750]

Started to sort wiring in headlight bucket for good.  Now that's a sixpack job if I ever saw one.

[Tintop]

Started to sort wiring in headlight bucket for good.  Now that's a sixpack job if I ever saw one.

Do yourself a future favour and buy some of those little stick-on numbers for all the connections.  If you ever have to go back in makes life simple.

[InAquaVeritas]

Picked up most of my engine today.
Got it ported, lapped, milled and cleaned. It got a new matte black finish, top to bottom.
Can't wait to start building this thing back up! Any pitfalls to look out for?





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[evanphi]

Picked up most of my engine today.
Got it ported, lapped, milled and cleaned. It got a new matte black finish, top to bottom.
Can't wait to start building this thing back up! Any pitfalls to look out for?





Verzonden vanaf mijn iPhone met behulp van Tapatalk

If you're going to use the 8 cylinder dowels between the jugs and head, make sure they're not any taller than the surface of the jugs. If you had the surface honed, they may stick out and make difficulty sealing the head gasket.

[ekpent]

Holy crap the head is pretty !! ^^   Was just going to say I have rode my everyday rider I worked on a little this winter and throw up some pics for you voyeurs. New tapered  steering bearings, fork seals, fork boots, correct front turn signal stems, tach seal,, 12 pack,couple bottles of hooch, cleaned front brake, set tappets,more wood in the woodstove, another drink,  new plugs, pull carbs and clean, more booze while spraying K&N filter. Probably more I forgot. Still needs waxing. Was thinking about bolting up some stock pipes but they interfere with my nylon bags not pictured. Bike runs good on to the next. Hit my crusty Z1 and the 750 so far this spring on the road and am shooting for a quickie spin on my unfamiliar GS 1000 next sittin' by the front door. Only got like 4 miles on it so far. Gonna be a busy summer and some things have to got to go also, like some bikes and get my truck out of storage to move thing around!!  Hello Spring.

[goldarrow]

Erik, with all those beautiful bikes and you covered them up???

[ekpent]

Erik, with all those beautiful bikes and you covered them up???

  Those are a few but I have enough blankets to maybe open a shelter someday,most bikes get one. Keep them covered and cozy and clean for the next owner someday and less polishing for me.  My old German Shorthair here at the house likes a binky on it also at night.