Let's do it right this time around

Hello everyone,

I'd just like to set up a little corner for myself and my bike and let everyone know who I am, what is going on with the bike, and the work in progress it is becoming.

I bought my bike last year from a guy I went to school with. Had it saftied locally from a guy who USED to work at a car dealership that occasionaly took in bikes, and he set up his own practice out of his home. Long story short, 1 new screw in the MC (old one machined out) 1 new front tire a rear brake check and a new battery and she was on the road.

I was getting married in the summer and had to spend too much time planning to fully enjoy the newest member of the family, or get a chance to take it apart and play. It only got used for the occasional hour long trip and a handfull of times to work and bike, a 15 minutes hwy ride.

Fast forward to now - seperated and lots of idle time on my hands, I have decided to embark on the path of righting wrongs that have been done to the bike. While in decent shape it definitly shows signs of neglect and wear.

It bogs hard when trying to open er up (carbs need cleaning) I often have to hit the turn signal a few times before it takes (electrical cleaning and soldering) Exhaust is rusty and showing age (sanding and painting) paint job as a whole needs a fresh coating. It has old brake lines, (new SS in planning) can hardly see the level in the MC (MC rebuild to go along with new brakes), front brake squeels, and a host of other issues that are more of a nuisance than a necessity.

I also noticed that my rear wheels slowly turns when it's up on its stand and in neutral. Does this happen to anyone elses?

I'd also like to check valve clearances sync and colourtune. Anything on this list I'm forgetting I'm more than willing to lend an ear. I've been reading posts on here for about a year now and decided I should start contributing.

My goal is to be able to do a week(s) long trip this summer and travel the country. Dragons tail is definitly on my list.

I look forward to expanding my knowledge and hopefully be able to impart some wisdom of my own.

G

Oh and pics are definitly coming

 

How many miles on the bike, and how many have you put on it? That will help immensely as far as more specific advice.

The rear wheel spinning when the bike is on the stand and running in neutral is perfectly normal, it's just the transmission's internal "drag" doing it.

Other than that, sounds like a plan.

 

It came with just over 32000 km and now has about 33500

Good to hear that the rear wheel spinning is normal

 

Welcome from NC! Hope you have a good time "tinkering" and getting her right! Some might suggest upgrading the shocks as well, especially if you're going to do longer distances. Keep us posted!

 

Upgrading the shocks to what exactly? Something more cushy, or just 'better' in general?

 

Ive got a 750 and a 900 with just over a 100000k on each, with indifferent maintenance so do it right and you have a great bike for a loooong time and many k's ahead

 

So today was the first chance that I've had to really tear into it. I was down in the city the other day and came across a parts source store. Now where I'm from we have Canadian tire, and a tiny Napa. They are both out of stock of most every day items let alone something for an older bike. Oil filters, oil, spark plugs, compression tester, and a compressor from TSC and I got a new outlook on the cleanup.

I checked the spark, all 4 are firing. They seem very weak, but as I'm reading on here that is typical.

Compression test:
1 - 115
2 - 123
3 -125
4 -128

I poured a lil bit of oil into #1 and it went up to 128.

How much is this going to affect me if I leave this as is? what are the benefits to going inside and fixing what needs to be fixed?

I then removed the carbs. that was WAY easier than I expected, except that someone put the airboot clamps on backwards, so I needed a long screwdriver to hit the screw from the other side of the bike! I don't think they will be going back on that way.

I checked my valve clearances, only 2 of 8 were within spec. the others were just slightly snug. I'll take a trip out to the local dealer that I don't like and see if they'll make a swap.

I tore apart the carbs and they are mostly waiting for tomorrow to be cleaned. I put the jets in carb cleaner for the night and we'll see how they look during the daylight.

I'm loving every minute of this. Except my back hurts... I need a work bench ha!


*Edit I promised pics!
GFB's tear down!

 

So I have cleaned up all of the little parts. It seems to be in pretty good shape really. I've had no issues with any of the screws or jets in terms of getting them out and there has been minimal rust and residue on everything inside. It even goes clunk! Looks like someone was taking good care of this before.

My question is pertaining to the sizing of my jets.

Pilot air 195
main air 55
comp air 36
main fuel 107
pilot fuel 45
Needle jet Y11

I'm trying to understand why they are different. maybe someone could help me out as to what the differences would do to the performance of the bike?