Post by hopwheels on Sept 10, 2006 14:50:32 GMT -5
Hey guys. Well, with some major head-scratching, cursing, and alternating between resignation (I can't figure this out!!) and indignation (I should be able to figure this out, dammit!), I got the '78 running again. It is now entirely back to stock, except for running a K&N air filter in the stock air box (a bit lean right as the throttle is cracked, but I've got a #330 main jet on the way and hope this balances it back out, if not I'll pop in a stock air filter).
I rebuilt the stock carb myself (first time!). I bought a Keyster carb kit and went to work. I had another 34VMSS on hand (not great shape but complete), so I could see how things worked, while the better one was apart.
Here's the dilemma. The float needle that came in the rebuild kit had no collar on the "pin" so that the wire clip could fit onto it and back over the float armature (hopefully that's clear enough). So, not trusting my gut, I installed the new float needle and didn't attach it to the float armature. Put it back together, no start.
Still not placing the blame on that replacement part, I chase a bunch of other ideas as to why it won't start. For a couple of days, I'd go out and fiddle with it, get frustrated and leave it.
Finally, I figure that it just doesn't seem likely that that part was so different than the original. So, I tear everything back off the bike to get at the carb, open the carb up, and compare it again to my second carb float, and how it works. Clearly, the new float needle isn't right. It seems it must be engaged via the small wire clip to the float to work properly. I removed the new one, put the old one back in and reassembled everything.
Guess what... bam it fires up on the second try. As I said after adjusting the idle and letting it warm up past 120° F, it's got a hesitation right when you crack the throttle (again I'm guessing that having the K&N in, but no revised jetting that that is the issue... hopefully), but it does RUNNNNNNNN!!!!!
Woohoo is all I can say. I am much better at the cosmetic and ancillary stuff (brakes, forks, etc.) than the actual mechanical engine workings, so this was very satisfying to get it running again! It was off to a mechanic this week otherwise.
Sorry for the long post, but thought I'd give an update. On top of getting it back to stock, I completely restored the front end (including hand painting the black enamel paint on the front rim that was worn and faded). But, I didn't want ANOTHER nice looking bike that WON'T START! (Already got one in my '79 thank you very much!)
Now to get 'er out and ride 'er!!!
Cheers gents!
Gary
Hopwheels
I rebuilt the stock carb myself (first time!). I bought a Keyster carb kit and went to work. I had another 34VMSS on hand (not great shape but complete), so I could see how things worked, while the better one was apart.
Here's the dilemma. The float needle that came in the rebuild kit had no collar on the "pin" so that the wire clip could fit onto it and back over the float armature (hopefully that's clear enough). So, not trusting my gut, I installed the new float needle and didn't attach it to the float armature. Put it back together, no start.
Still not placing the blame on that replacement part, I chase a bunch of other ideas as to why it won't start. For a couple of days, I'd go out and fiddle with it, get frustrated and leave it.
Finally, I figure that it just doesn't seem likely that that part was so different than the original. So, I tear everything back off the bike to get at the carb, open the carb up, and compare it again to my second carb float, and how it works. Clearly, the new float needle isn't right. It seems it must be engaged via the small wire clip to the float to work properly. I removed the new one, put the old one back in and reassembled everything.
Guess what... bam it fires up on the second try. As I said after adjusting the idle and letting it warm up past 120° F, it's got a hesitation right when you crack the throttle (again I'm guessing that having the K&N in, but no revised jetting that that is the issue... hopefully), but it does RUNNNNNNNN!!!!!
Woohoo is all I can say. I am much better at the cosmetic and ancillary stuff (brakes, forks, etc.) than the actual mechanical engine workings, so this was very satisfying to get it running again! It was off to a mechanic this week otherwise.
Sorry for the long post, but thought I'd give an update. On top of getting it back to stock, I completely restored the front end (including hand painting the black enamel paint on the front rim that was worn and faded). But, I didn't want ANOTHER nice looking bike that WON'T START! (Already got one in my '79 thank you very much!)
Now to get 'er out and ride 'er!!!
Cheers gents!
Gary
Hopwheels
