cost of repairs

[dancran]

Wow that would be awesome!

I'll freely admit that I'm nervous about just tearing apart my carburator havnig never worked on one before.
It gives me visions of being the proud owner of a 500 pound motorcycle shaped paper weight.
I am interested in learning though!

Yeah I'd love to take you up on your offer.
Drop me an email at cheezo3@yahoo.com
We can work out the details from there.

[Billy Ricks]

I'll be pretty busy for the next few weeks, but after that I should have plenty of free time. I'll PM you my info so you can stay in touch.

[dancran]

That's just fine. I'm not in a giant hurry.
I'm riding the bike right now, I just smell like gas when I'm done, which keeps me from being able to ride to work.
Man. I apreciate this.

[Billy Ricks]

No problem, that's what we're here for.

[Billy Ricks]

Got your contact info, just get back with me in a few weeks. At my age, 51, I get forgetful so I may need a reminder. Don't be afraid to contact me because if I forget it won't be that I've changed my mind or anything.

[dancran]

Great. I'll do that.

[gspaul]

Nice one Billy!.............('')

[dancran]

Here's something I"m wondering about,

I was just out trying to start my bike - unsuccessfully. I had been reading about the problems people have had with the #4 plug getting fouled. I noticed that I smelled gas, but only one exaust pipe smelled like gas. So I thought hmm, and pulled the #4 plug out and sure enough it was black. checked the others and they were fine. Cleaned it off and put it back. I had also read somewhere about someone lightly tapping on the body of the carb to jar a sticking float loose. So I decided to try that. Just very lightly tapping on the #4 carb.
Well I tried to turn it over again, but my battery didn't have the juice to give more than a about 3 or 4 turns. (see bellow) but interestingly, the right hand tail pipe no longer smelled like gas.

Now, on to the battery...
About week or so ago, I was really itching to ride and I flooded the bike trying to get it started. I got impatient and kept trying to start it and really weakened my battery before it finaly cranked up. I rode around for a while, but aparently not enough to fully charge the battery.
Jumping back to today, it just didn't have the juice to turn it over more than a couple of tries.

so here is my question. I have one of those battery jumpstart units that I keep around for the cars. Would it be possible/advisable/dangerous to use that thing to try and get the bike started?

[SqDancerLynn1]

It should work fine

[BriTXbike]

I talked with BWringer about the Valve Cover Gasket and for the sake of maintenence reasons I went with a Silicone gasket so I can remove the cover if I ever need to. I also purchased Allen head replacement bolts. Since these types of gaskets need little to no torque and allen bolt is easier to tighten without over doing it. Haven't had any leaks so far but it helped me find the tack cable connection is leaking :?
http://www.realgaskets.com Guy is really nice and been in the business for many many years.

Let me know how else I can help. I've done allot and as a newbie the guys on this site are the best pit crew to have around.

[KEITH KRAUSE]

Very good of you Billy! Three cheers!

dancran, just wondering about the carbs/gas smell. Do you see any leaks anywhere? Heavy "varnish" stains on any part of the carbs? Any fuel in the airbox or coming out a dump line? See any fuel around the petcock or fuel line ends?

[dancran]

Keith: I have not noticed any of those things. I pulled the petcock vacuum hose off and it had the slightest hint of gas. I smelled all around the area to try to locate any leaks, though I did not specifically look at all of the spots you mentioned. I will specifically look at each of those spots tomorrow.
The main source of the gas smell, seems to be the right hand exaust pipe (if you're facing the handlebars).

I was looking around on ebay and at some parts websites. I see "carb kits" that consist of a gasket, and a few other parts. I've also seen posts from people saying that you don't need no stinking kits.
What's the deal with that? I'll get them if it will make my bike run better and last longer, but if they're truely not necessary then....
These kits aren't that expensive, I could see it being worth having replacement gaskets if nothing else.

[Billy Ricks]

Try a few ounces of Berryman's Chemtool in a couple of tanks of gas. It may clear up your problem. You could have fuel getting past the o-ring on the float valve seat. An hour or so on the carbs and they'll be good as new. You may or may not need an o-ring set. If it's just valve seat rings I know what to substitute. When we do it if you have the tank and airbox as far out of the way as you can get it things will go smoothly. It would only take maybe half an hour to retorque the head and run valve clearances.

[Billy Ricks]

Don't bother with a kit, they don't have anything in them that will improve much of anything. I have quite a few mains I can bring along but even they shouldn't be needed. I have a set of sync guages so we can check that too.

[snowbeard]

if you need the orings, robert barr has put together a great set that pretty much covers it for the carbs (CV anyway, and working on the VM?)

http://www.cycleorings.com

welcome!!!