Choke Question
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 566
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From: rural ontario
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: GA
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Very informative thread - thanks. I'm getting a good stream of fuel into the carb when I crack the throttle although the thread suggested taking out the in-line filter and checking the petcock first. Are these good starting points before I venture into removing the carb for a rebuild?
I turned a brass ****, then drilled a hole sized to create a tight push fit, shoving a spoke nipple into the brass ****.
I cut off a length of spoke to make the rod and threaded the end into the nipple.
The scary part is drilling the hole into the carb body then tapping that hole with #8-32 threads for the allen head screw to fit in.
There is plenty of body there to accept a drill bit for tapping the hole.
pg
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: rural ontario
Very informative thread - thanks. I'm getting a good stream of fuel into the carb when I crack the throttle although the thread suggested taking out the in-line filter and checking the petcock first. Are these good starting points before I venture into removing the carb for a rebuild?
does it idle well?
start easily?
fresh plugs?
check push rods
timing
fresh gas
plug wires in good shape, contact points are clean (at each end of the wires)
ignition components are all intact and appear to be functioning
if everything checks out ok, then go back and look closer at each component...start with the carb if you want. try making adjustment to the mixture; try and drive it--no change? better/ worse. set it where it works best.
then open it and see if the o-ring on the jet has deteriorated, float level...etc
only focus on one thing at a time. If you make multiple changes and it gets worse or better or stays the same you won't know if your heading in the right direction and one change might fix it but the others make it worse. You will end up chasing your tail.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 27
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From: GA
Scottfisher - That's sound advise and was the route that I was planning on taking. I recently purchased the bike and from what I was told it has sat for awhile (3-4 years) and ridden only about 10 miles during that time.
One thing I did notice this morning was that the petcock and carb were both very damp and a small amount of fuel had accumulated on the top of the motor below the carb. I small a very slight leak from the bottom of the bowl. I checked the petcock and it was in the off position (lever horizontal). I removed the fuel line from the carb and placed it in a clean mason jar. I thinking that if the petcock is not working in the off position, then it may not be functioning properly in the on position either. I don't have my parts catalog yet so does someone have the part number and a good source to purchase a new petcock. I might as well start with the obvious.
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info and happy Memorial Day.
One thing I did notice this morning was that the petcock and carb were both very damp and a small amount of fuel had accumulated on the top of the motor below the carb. I small a very slight leak from the bottom of the bowl. I checked the petcock and it was in the off position (lever horizontal). I removed the fuel line from the carb and placed it in a clean mason jar. I thinking that if the petcock is not working in the off position, then it may not be functioning properly in the on position either. I don't have my parts catalog yet so does someone have the part number and a good source to purchase a new petcock. I might as well start with the obvious.
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info and happy Memorial Day.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Scottfisher - That's sound advise and was the route that I was planning on taking. I recently purchased the bike and from what I was told it has sat for awhile (3-4 years) and ridden only about 10 miles during that time.
One thing I did notice this morning was that the petcock and carb were both very damp and a small amount of fuel had accumulated on the top of the motor below the carb. I small a very slight leak from the bottom of the bowl. I checked the petcock and it was in the off position (lever horizontal). I removed the fuel line from the carb and placed it in a clean mason jar. I thinking that if the petcock is not working in the off position, then it may not be functioning properly in the on position either. I don't have my parts catalog yet so does someone have the part number and a good source to purchase a new petcock. I might as well start with the obvious.
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info and happy Memorial Day.
One thing I did notice this morning was that the petcock and carb were both very damp and a small amount of fuel had accumulated on the top of the motor below the carb. I small a very slight leak from the bottom of the bowl. I checked the petcock and it was in the off position (lever horizontal). I removed the fuel line from the carb and placed it in a clean mason jar. I thinking that if the petcock is not working in the off position, then it may not be functioning properly in the on position either. I don't have my parts catalog yet so does someone have the part number and a good source to purchase a new petcock. I might as well start with the obvious.
Thanks to everyone for all the helpful info and happy Memorial Day.
What I have to ask is what are your issues?
(1) Is the bike running and starting well?
(2) Do you have some specific problem?
If the answer is yes to the first, and no to the second question....then leave it alone.
Working on it is going to kjust screw a good running bike.
pg
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: rural ontario
there is a small 'overflow' hole on the back of the carb. It is prob not leaking bu rather overflowing.
That being said.
It seems pulling the carb and giving it a good cleaning may be a good place to start.
The symtoms you indicate are a sign of a rich running motor (among other things) and a leaking carb can cause this.
You may find the float needs adjustment, or/and the needle valve is worn/not seated properly causing the bowl to over fill.
I get parts from a local indie, local dealer, J&P, ebay, swapmeets, barnett, etc etc.
I try and get the best quality parts rather than the cheapest. J&P, for example, has brand name and no-name parts available. It is worth the extra cost and ride, rather than save now and push later.
That being said.
It seems pulling the carb and giving it a good cleaning may be a good place to start.
The symtoms you indicate are a sign of a rich running motor (among other things) and a leaking carb can cause this.
You may find the float needs adjustment, or/and the needle valve is worn/not seated properly causing the bowl to over fill.
I get parts from a local indie, local dealer, J&P, ebay, swapmeets, barnett, etc etc.
I try and get the best quality parts rather than the cheapest. J&P, for example, has brand name and no-name parts available. It is worth the extra cost and ride, rather than save now and push later.
Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
You didn't specify if the bike ran long enough to warm up. Compensating for a cold engine with throttle could cause it to backfire (through the carb or pipes?) and run rough. But my guess is that the carb needs a thorough cleaning to remove gum and possibly a rebuild if parts are worn or "O" rings or gaskets are dried out. A rebuild kit is cheap enough and comes (usually) with a nicely detailed instruction set. The choke should be replaced, you'll need it. You can rig something yourself but better to find the correct parts. Fasten it to the left side. It makes it easy to adjust while riding by letting you keep the throttle working until fully warm.
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Advanced
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 72
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From: Paris, KY
As for your leak...Check the drain plug on the bowl. People feel the need to overtighten them and it cracks the bowl. It is real easy to do. You can patch it with gas tank repair and it will hold for a couple years. I just pick up a couple bowls at a swap meet to keep on hand.
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 27
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From: GA
As for your leak...Check the drain plug on the bowl. People feel the need to overtighten them and it cracks the bowl. It is real easy to do. You can patch it with gas tank repair and it will hold for a couple years. I just pick up a couple bowls at a swap meet to keep on hand.
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