Anyway, I had a couple of questions that are probably basic knowledge but I haven't really been able to find definitive answers to anywhere.
- Turns signals do not flash, they just stay lit until you turn them off. Both sides do it. I think I remember hearing somewhere that that means that a relay needs to be replaced? All bulbs are working.
Could be that the wrong bulbs are installed. They should be 1034 front and 1073 rear. Auto stores usually only stock 1157 and 1156, which fit, but are higher wattage the stock flasher unit doesn't like.
Or, the flasher unit may have gone bad.
Or, your battery voltage is too low on charge voltage to make the flasher do it's job.
Be aware that the alternator doesn't make enough juice to charge the battery at idle RPM. In fact, the bike uses more than the alternator can make at idle, so the battery depletes at low RPM, making the battery voltage lower.
- It looks like some water collected under it over night. It could be something else, but it didn't look like oil. You can see it on the ground in the latter half of the video. Should I be concerned or is it probably some rain water that had collected? I had a tarp over it last night, but it only covered about halfway down the sides.
Learn the routine of turning off the gas valve each time you stop the engine.
If all the water evaporated everywhere but under the bike, then it is likely gas overflow from overfilling the carbs. Not a big deal. Engine run vibration usually makes carb overflow issues with clean carbs a non-issue.
- Little puff of white smoke when she fires up - that's nothing right?
I see a little blue tinge to the smoke indicating oil.
Could be valve guide seals weeping a bit. But, if there is no oil level issues with riding, I certainly wouldn't worry about it.
- The headlight bucket has a LCD digital odometer (the crystal is busted though). Is that stock?
No
I was mostly looking for an old bike to chop, but it appears to be in such good shape that I don't want to mess with it.
Look like A nice bike with a lot of fun left in it.
We've only found minor, normal things so far that need attention, like a small exhaust leak, but ideally I'll have the carbs rebuilt and the motor taken out and gone over once I get the moolah.
I don't understand "fixing" a motor that runs well. Is the inside of the tank clean? That's the first step for clean carbs. Running clean fuel through the carbs will clean them/ keep them clean, so long as it is running properly. I dare say the carbs never need cleaning if they wer constantly run with clean fuel.
What do you expect to fix inside the motor?
One thing that should be done and is often overlooked is the engine breather filter at the bottom of the air filter box. And, of course a new air filter wouldn't hurt. If you don't know the tune up history, then establish a baseline by doing a complete one now.
The other thing to address would be the fuse box clips, make them bright and shiny where contact is made, and be sure they make firm contact to the fuses. Or, wait 'til they heat up and melt the plastic or the fuse ends while you are out cruising. I prefer to do a little PM than roadside fixes.
Then just ride and enjoy the bike and the good deal you made.
Cheers,
