Another Lesson In Humility.

The best supervisor I ever had used to say "Every now and then we need a lesson in humility". Here is mine, experienced over the past three weeks. In that period I have found: a bent valve; a tach that did not seem to work; a non-charging electrical system; and, odd problems with jetting.

The good parts: I have not found one leak in the new oiling system and the many lines. And the brake system seems good. Things are fitting in nicely.

First the bent valve: Low compression in a cylinder forced me to do a leakdown test. Hear a loud WOOOOOOSH from the exhaust valve. It was bent, and I have no idea when or how this happened; it was new. Guess which cylinder is was --- of course, the vertical! So, out comes the engine and apart comes most of the bike --- it seems.











In goes a new valve and everything is back together. 150+ lbs compression on both cylinders now. And it wants to start, sorta. Check the timing and decided it was advanced a bit, and off comes the exhaust and the alt cover and that gets changed. Started with 140H/145V main jets. LEAN! Red hot exhaust, especially the H cylinders. At this point I am now at 185H/175V; higher that I could ever expect, and backwards from the usual setups. And increased the atomizer to 268 from 265. H cylinder still wants more. But, it starts, runs fine, and kinda idles. No more red-hot exhaust, with pipe temps at 400 to 550F (according to my Harbor Freight pilot-blinding lazer light) in the garage with a fan on the engine. OK. Would appreciate thoughts and comments about such high jetting.

During this period I noticed that the tach was not taching. Wobbled a bit, and then nothing. Tried more than one combo of cables and 90 degree drives and tachs. "Damned after-market stuff", I said, and can't remember where I got it from. Touched the H cam wheel and noticed that the plate behind the cog was loose a bit (my bad?). Tightened the locking nut (again?), and now I have some RPMS! Good to go.

Then it is time to check the voltage regulator, and it was AWOL. Getting nothing. Switched to a used modern 2-phase regulator (1994-1997?) from the NEW older 2-phase version (Paso, 750 Sport and SS), and got 14.4+/-. Bingo, we got juice. I am going to post something in the TT Technical section about this, because this is the second time this has happened, and I am over-supplied with the wrong version it seems.

Finally, three weeks after, two weeks later than planned, I can start on painting the bodywork.



MikeV

WOW!!!!! Good job!!!

No Carlo, I should have done it right the first time! Might be some pilot error in there. MikeV

Lou requested extra straps.

Ciao MicheV.... you are too strict with yourself !!!

Well, here are the body panels hanging in the torture room. Clear coated and hardening now. Always looks like a tornado struck inside after I am finished. You better ramp up Boucher. You too Lou! MikeV

As always Mike very nice!!
Paul

Hi Mike...
Looks factory perfect. Does your reference to "torture" have anything to do with the yellow panels and black striping?
Very nice work.
Regards...
Flattop

Everything about painting is high stress for me. But, yes, some of the decreasing radius turns of the tape were tough. Still the best I have done so far. MikeV

I like it