My first bike

Thanks. It was my first time as well but whatever the PO had done up was embarrassing. I didn't feel like repairing the original fuse job, glass fuses are very sensitive.
I really like the way it looks and since doing it I've had no issues.
And I only did it because I took advice from posts I've read on this site.
Cheers

-EM

 

It's a must-do with these bikes if you ask me.

 

If you need this, was helpful for me...
http://xjbikes.com/forums/threads/how-to-install-an-aftermarket-fuse-box.6350/
Chacal has everything you'll need.

 

Agreed. The only thing holding me back right now is money. Got a power steering issue in my wife's vehicle. There goes a few jobs I had planned.
I'm posted to a new unit where I'll get alot more cash though starting in August so I'm very hopeful lol
Sorry to get off topic. But if I can voice anything to you it is this... Be patient with an old bike. It will be good to you if you're gentle with it.

 

Did you have any trouble getting the seat to close over the taller fusebox? It looks awesome!

 

The fusebox isn't so tall that the seat won't fit. You may need to shave the bottom of the fuse block depending on which manufacturer you by from. They vary in height by a few mm.

 

Ah cool, thanks.

 

Many things have been accomplished lately:

Conversion to blade fuses per Gamuru's instructions (thanks Earmachine for the link)

Stainless brake lines (thanks Chacal!)

Complete caliper rebuild and new stainless brake pistons

Rebuilt master cylinder

New master cylinder sight glass

The steel lines make the brakes feel like a vise clamping down on the rotors now, so much better. Also the old brake pistons were pitted and rusty.

I scored some BMW touring boots for $75 from a guy in Seattle who owned a 550 seca back in the day. Then I rode around Vashon island in them with a huge smile on my face.

 

A little less than two weeks ago I rode the ol' hoss from my house out to Ocean Shores WA along back roads. It was so enjoyable! I felt very calm and relaxed and happy, and saw many neat small towns and beautiful scenery along the way.

Today I tensioned the cam chain. Maybe it is just placebo, but the bike felt snappier than before.

I also checked out the spark plugs and they were still white, not tan, so bigger jets are in order before I ride her much more.

 

Money is very low right now, and looks to stay that way for awhile.

As far as this bike is concerned, there are still many things I need to do before it is "finished"

These are primarily a chacal grade carb rebuild, a bunch of little things, and finally repainting the entire bike.

However my attention is also beginning to wander project wise...

That all being said I would like to get the bike in good shape mechanically and do some two day tours on my weekends. I feel much more sane on the road than sitting at home.

 

I got the bowl drain screws out. Then I built a carb stand. Then I wet set the float levels. They all seemed fine. I put the bike back together. That's all for now.

 

Removed the airbox... uh oh...

It is still in one piece however.

 

Alright I'm sort of back. The interim time was spent messing with a Datsun B210 which should be sold soon.

2 fun occurrences have taken place:

1: I bought a wideband oxygen sensor and welded a bung into my collector. However before I could get very far with tuning:

2: The engine started making a bad knocking sound once every revolution. If you crank it with a wrench you can feel a spot in the rotation that is like a hump, very hard to turn, then it gets over the hump and is easy again for another rotation until you get back to the same spot.

I did the valve shims 500 miles ago, although I haven't re-checked them yet.
I couldn't see anything wrong with the cams.

A wise older man thinks there could be something inside one of the cylinders getting squeezed each stroke, but we could not see any damage to any of the piston faces.

Any ideas before I tear the head off?

 

The spot you're feeling is most likely when you hit the compression stroke, unless you have the plugs out when you're spinning it. There isn't anything that will squeeze a piston.

The knock could be from the altenator chain slapping against the case, or from the cam chain not being tensioned properly.

 

I'm not so sure about that It really feels like there is something jamming somewhere, because the compression stroke for the other two pistons is a totally different feeling. I'm pretty sure the noise is connected to this problem, but I've been wrong plenty of times before.

I did have plugs in all four cylinders, but I can try again with them removed.

I really can't think of any good explanation for it.

I appreciate your help though

 

Just to be sure, you are turning the crank counterclockwise?

 

OOH, I was wondering about that. I can feel the problem spot both directions, but I wasn't sure which direction was the right one.

Don't worry, I have a manual I just hadn't thought to look inside for that little bit of info.

Thanks for your help!

 

IT might be that there is a chunk of the alternator chain guide that has broken off and is causing the jamming feeling.
Drain the oil, and take the shift cover off.
You'll see a big hole by the shift drum, and another smaller hole just behind it. Take a flashlight and look through those holes for chunks of black plastic in the crankcase.

 

That sounds promising! I'm going to be busy for a little while but I'll post an update as soon as I take a peek in there.

Thanks kmoe