Subject: RE: First ride
Author: Keith Ruff
Date: Apr 30, 2005, 11:54 AM
Post ID: 1718791593
Hey Charlie,
Ain't it great taking that first ride after spending all your time (and
money!) restoring these old loops! First time I fired up the Ambo (last
week), I tried the Ethridge way of starting, just blip the throttle 2-3
times and push the starter, no choke, then hold the throttle open a bit
until she steadies. I flipped open the petcock, watched the fuel fill
the in line filter, blipped the throttle 3 times, turned the key to the
"on" position, said a little prayer, then cranked the motor (with the
key - no starter button on my Ambo). She fired right to life and a
minute later settled into a steady idle. Nice.
Got the left side leaking petcock re-installed, used some teflon tape
AND some Blue RTV sealant (that is fuel resistant) on the threads.
Letting that set since last eve, will fuel up tomorrow to see if the
leak is gone. If not, I'm in trouble. If it works (I think it should)
I'll take her for another ride to check the front brake adjustment and
tranny adjustment I did after the maiden voyage, and get the engine
heated up to normal op temp. I picked up the mercury refill and 6mm
adapters for my carb stix. I'll synch and adjust the carbs after the
ride, though they seem to be right on. Mark said the sidecovers and
tank/fender decals are on the way, so barring no setbacks, the project
should be complete by the end of next week.
Keith Ruff
70 Cafe Racer Ambo
Manahawkin, NJ
Charlie Mullendore wrote:
Took "Sophia" out for her first (35 mile) shakedown run this evening and it went very well. A lot different than the well-worn '69 in most every aspect. Much less vibration overall, rides much more firm, shifts more precisely, seems more willing to change direction quickly. Braking power is nearly identical (no surprise as I used o.e. shoes). Gotta' learn to shift with my left foot and brake with the right again after 7 years of the opposite! No leaks so far! (knocking on wood) A few things that need attention did show up. In the 55 degree temps of this evening, she was very cold blooded. Only took about a mile or two to warm enough to run without the enricher, but then it never really warmed up enough for a trustworthy idle until it sat running for a few minutes and warmed up a bit more. A step up in the pilot jet may be necessary, a warmer day will surely help! Front end was bobbing like a ship on rough seas, so I checked to make sure the tire was completely seated on the rim. It was, but found instead that the rim was out of true. Okay side-to-side, but not up-and-down. Should be remedied tomorrow morning by the shop that did the work originally. Hope to get the Wixoms reassembled and installed, along with a bunch of other minor details done tomorrow. Then if all goes well, Sunday morning she'll lead the 2nd Annual MD/DC Spring Ride. Great to finally enjoy a bit of the "fruits of my labor"! Cheers, Charlie http://www.loopframeguzzi.com/ |