Couple of quick questions ...

[hikermikem]

All relative to my '82 GS850GL restore project.

When you remove & replace a wheel (to change tires), is it necessary to grease up the axle? I've cleaned & lubed the rear spline gears with the Honda moly paste, then cleaned all the associated spacers & such. I didn't see a need to grease up the axle (it doesn't move in operation).

Presently doing the same for the front axle (minus the spline gear lube).

Is this correct, or shoud I just apply a light coating of anti-seize??

The other qusetion is thus - I've cleaned the carbs correctly, changed all the o-rings & such, and the bike will idle all day long at 1K, quite smoothly & I haven't yet done a carb sync. However, I have the mixture screws out about 4-4.5 turns each & the #1,2, & 4 plugs are still lean with #3 rich. Everything is stock except for a drop-in K&N cartridge filter & I raised the jet needles essentially one notch. I sealed the airbox well. Like I said, the idle is great - doesn't hang or drift.

Is this normal?

Anyway, just wondering if I'm in the margins here - the bike so far runs quite well - carb sync this weekend.

Thanks,

Mike

[Nessism]

A light coating of grease or oil on the axle will help it slide into place smoothly but I don’t know that it’s necessary per say.

The pilot screws won’t have a whole lot of effect on the plug color since this circuit is for idle and slightly above; I wouldn’t mess with the pilots thinking this is the way to adjust plug color. I suggest you set the pilot screws to 2.5 turns and then vacuum sync the carbs. After you get the sync close tweak the pilots to achieve the highest idle speed and verify the sync is holding. Don’t play with the pilots after this and see what happens with the plugs.

[hikermikem]

A light coating of grease or oil on the axle will help it slide into place smoothly but I don’t know that it’s necessary per say.

The pilot screws won’t have a whole lot of effect on the plug color since this circuit is for idle and slightly above; I wouldn’t mess with the pilots thinking this is the way to adjust plug color. I suggest you set the pilot screws to 2.5 turns and then vacuum sync the carbs. After you get the sync close tweak the pilots to achieve the highest idle speed and verify the sync is holding. Don’t play with the pilots after this and see what happens with the plugs.

Will do - back to 2.5 turns (where I started).

Thanks

[bwringer]

A stuck axle is a bane upon mankind.

Just add a light coating of plain old brown grease to keep it from corroding in place. Future generations will thank you.

[Baatfam]

A stuck axle is a bane upon mankind.

Just add a light coating of plain old brown grease to keep it from corroding in place. Future generations will thank you.

Agreed......Just a couple of weeks ago I had to drive an axle out of my 1100E with a brass rod because someone did not do this....not fun.

[hikermikem]

A stuck axle is a bane upon mankind.

Just add a light coating of plain old brown grease to keep it from corroding in place. Future generations will thank you.

Well then, we won't leave them any social security money, but at least they'll have unstuck axles!!

[seuadr]

Well then, we won't leave them any social security money, but at least they'll have unstuck axles!!

wait, do we get to choose?