Subject: Maiden Voyage Woes
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Apr 22, 2005, 9:52 AM
Post ID: 1718744738
Got the tank 2 days ago and installed it. Had some trouble keeping it
straight - as the bolts tighten up, the tank would dip down towards the
left. Played with a bit and it's pretty straight, not perfect, but
it'll do. Gassed her up last eve and threw the battery charger on it.
Just went out to fire her up for the 1st time since the restoration
project started back in Nov. Gas on, blip the throttle a few times,
turn the key, she fired to life after a few cranks with no choke! Got
into the std spit here and there for the first few seconds, then settled
right down into a nice steady idle. Nice. Took her for a quick ride to
warm her up and get a feel for what needed adjusting.
1. Front brakes feel near useless. I can pull the handle to the bar
and she won't lock up. Need to look at that again, perhaps this new
cable with switch is not good.
2. Oil light: Well I got it working with the new switch, problem is,
it does not go out! What should I check to see why the light is not
going out? How can you tell if the oil pump is working? How hard is it
to replace?
3. Need to adjust the heel toe shifter, getting some missed shifts.
4. Right blinker stopped working, gotta check the wiring and flasher
unit to make sure I am getting juice, bulb looks to be ok.
5. Smelled gas and realized the left petcock was leaking. Tried to
tighten it, helped a bit but it was still weeping, tried tightening it
more and it wouldn't tighten, felt sort of stripped. I'm draining the
gas now. I guess I need some washers on it? Looks like there is just
some teflon tape on the threads.
6. Planned on synching the carbs but realized I didn't have the right
size adapter, then realized my 15 year old carb stix had no mercury left
in them! Must have leaked out somewhere in the garage! Will be heading
to the cycle shop after I hit "send" on this message to get a new set.
Not a good day thus far, but she did run nice on the road. Boy is there
wind though without that full Harley style screen!
Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ