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Messages - R

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1261
Japanese Bikes / Re: Cold Blooded 1982 Yamaha xj550
« on: December 31, 2012, 10:12:27 PM »
Does the choke circuit on your bike fully work - and make any difference ??
Many bikes simply will not start cold without choke.

The FIRST major thing to look at with starting difficulties is the spark plugs.
They should be cleaned, and gapped to the correct gap.
And if that doesn't help, try one ones.

Along with cleaned (or new) air cleaners, and fresh oil in the engine (if its about due for a change).
And correctly gapped and set points for the ignition (if it doesn't have electronic ignition, don't know XJ550 that well).
Along with wiping clean all the spark plug leads, around the coil and wiring etc.

Carbs all synched and idling well when warm ?
Fresh gas in the tank - old fuel seems to evaporate all the lighter fractions- that make it easy to start.

If it STILL doesn't start, try reducing the gap on the sparkplugs, not by much ( a few thou).
If that works, as a last resort, consult back here.

P.S. Happy New Years all.

1262
American Bikes / Re: Can you itentify this gearbox ?
« on: December 30, 2012, 05:30:24 AM »
What threads are on the studs and nuts ?


1263
British Bikes / Re: Triton Starting
« on: December 24, 2012, 12:24:37 AM »
While urging caution about going to hotter plugs, if the ones in use are a grade too cold, then what other answer is there ?
Assuming is not fouling from oil...

Stale petrol possibility also needs to be sorted out - these days, if all the lighter fractions evaporate off, whats left doesn't seen to burn !

1264
British Bikes / Re: Triton Starting
« on: December 22, 2012, 11:02:53 PM »
First thing to try is new plugs, and see if it starts.
Or clean those plugs, and see if it starts.

If it starts, maybe time to look at the grade of plug - maybe a grade hotter required. Or less pottering around town. ?

Then - does it idle cleanly ?  Adjusted the idle mixture lately - if its chugging black smoke (we can't see your bike running), then definitely a carb problem.

Fuel quality can also affect dirty plugs, burning oil can affect dirty plugs, and weak ignition can affect dirty plugs, so its time to consider those too. Battery voltage still good - measured it as at least 12.3x volts ??
Over to you...

1265
European and Other Bikes / Re: Moto Guzzi Super Alce Pre Falcone 500 Single
« on: December 22, 2012, 10:54:20 PM »
Was just about to question this 'plate', but you answered that.
Indeed, a strap of steel across the 'back' (where we can't see) to strengthen it, and some longer bolts (?), and bobs your uncle. (Where did that expression come from ?).  Looks thin enough its surprising it lasted this long - or did the spares dept do a thriving business in them...

1266
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: Battery charging.
« on: December 14, 2012, 11:48:13 PM »
I do have a nice clean workshop now.

Freshly acid washed. !

This could catch on.
Or not....

1267
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: Battery charging.
« on: December 14, 2012, 12:18:10 AM »
Were your two six volt batteries connected in series or parallel? If parallel it would be still six volts which would explain your explosion.

Says it was the old battery.

And why would 2 x 6v batteries in parallel be a problem with a 6v charger anyway ?

1268
The Classic Biker Bar / Re: Battery charging.
« on: December 14, 2012, 12:14:11 AM »
Good job you were there to clean everything off.
And not in the firing line.

Internal fault, and spark.
Or external fault, and spark.
Who knows,
Heard of this happening under someone (car) bonnet, however...

P.S.Battery acid is very good at cleaning off chrome. Very quickly....

1269
European and Other Bikes / Re: Moto Guzzi Super Alce Pre Falcone 500 Single
« on: December 01, 2012, 10:35:31 PM »
The chrome is hopeless and peeling off everywhere,

Thats a bit different then - but it does look good in red.

Red guzzis seem to vary greatly over the years in hue and shade - if you say it was a tuesday (martedi)  color, none can disagree with that ??

1270
European and Other Bikes / Re: Moto Guzzi Super Alce Pre Falcone 500 Single
« on: November 30, 2012, 10:55:30 PM »
Classic guzzis were red with chrome tanks, anything else is going to be a backward step ?  Perhaps better shaped panelling of red on the tank though.

The army superalces were heading towards butt ugly in mil green, with that split twin muffler.  Purposeful, but still ugly, beauty of line obviously didn't come into it.

And if your wife likes it red, we'd say thats a very broad hint !!?!!

1271
British Bikes / Re: Royal Enfield conrod W15166 wanted
« on: November 28, 2012, 12:04:41 AM »
Should have read down further - all is explained.
Will enquire if someone is perhaps interested in a trade.

1272
British Bikes / Re: Burman BAU gearbox
« on: November 28, 2012, 12:03:32 AM »
Any idea what is different about the BAU to the BA - which are a fairly common type.

1273
British Bikes / Re: Royal Enfield conrod W15166 wanted
« on: November 27, 2012, 11:55:15 PM »
What are you going to put it in ?

This is for something long stroke ?
Someone mentioned one the other day - and may be interested in something shorter.

1274
European and Other Bikes / Re: Moto Guzzi Super Alce Pre Falcone 500 Single
« on: November 25, 2012, 12:00:22 AM »
Been translating an old manual for this bike, mostly to identify left hand threads.  Some are going OK.  This is the engine lubrication. 

I actually think it's not bad for a first attempt.

Its readable, and mostly understandable - with a little technical knowledge to fill/guess the gaps and odd bits.

There is a way somewhere/somehow so that technical terms are added to its vocabulary ?  Avoids things like water cooled, elastic bands, etc.

Imagine what translating something FROM technical english would be like, without a motorcycle specific technical dictionary to assist ??!! 

And some of those longspecialwordsingerman are a laff to try and translate...

1275
European and Other Bikes / Re: Moto Guzzi Super Alce Pre Falcone 500 Single
« on: November 16, 2012, 11:44:40 PM »
I'm picking up my new Moto Guzzi single tomorrow, it's in working order but well used condition.  Anything I should look out for on these bikes?

That you don't wear it out from enjoying riding it ?!!

I think I read somewhere that the idle speed could be set down to as low as 200 rpm on these - but that is too low to ensure enough oil is where it should be.

Enjoy !

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