In uk.rec.motorcycles.classic The Older Gentleman <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> >
> > > Charging - almost certainly the connections, as the old SOHC fours all
> > > have super-reliable charging systems, in my experience.
> >
> > Thats what I thought. Do you know of a downloadable wiring diagram
> > or BOL, if not I will order a Haynes BOL from Spamazon.
>
> I've got two or three Haynes BOLs in my garage. Drop us your snail mail
> address (my addie in sig) and I'll post one off to you.
> originality.
>

BOL recieved with thanks.
The electrics are now fettled, cleaned up the connections, replaced flasher
and 3 bulbs. Shiny new Varta battery, Total spent so far UKP 40.95.

There is a mild clunking from the chaincase/gearbox area due to
slight uneven running at tickover, it goes away at around 1800 rpm.
A set of new plugs made little difference so my crystal ball is cackling
at me showing amusing images of an oldfart getting frustrated at the
carbs. I just HATE trying to balance four inaccessible carbs.

Probably a good idea to check the compressions, points etc and wave a timing
light at it before tinkering with the carbs though.

The saga continues .....

--
03 GS500K2
76 Honda 400/4 project
68 Bantam D14/4 Sport (Classic)
06 Sukida SK50QT (Slanty eyed shopping trolley)

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> There is a mild clunking from the chaincase/gearbox area due to
> slight uneven running at tickover, it goes away at around 1800 rpm.
> A set of new plugs made little difference so my crystal ball is cackling
> at me showing amusing images of an oldfart getting frustrated at the
> carbs. I just HATE trying to balance four inaccessible carbs.

That sounds like typical Honda clutch/primary chain chunter and it goes
away when the carbs are balanced.

*Could* be knackered primary chain, but only at very high mileage. And
that tends to be a deeper knocking sound that goes away as the revs
rise, anyway.

Balancing 400 Four carbs is surprisingly easy, as long as you've got the
gauges. The nice thing is that there is always enough fuel left in the
lines and carb bowls for bloody ages - seriously, they'll run for an
amazing distance with the tap closed - so you don't need to rig up a
fuel supply.

And yes, always do the timing and tappets before doing the carbs.

--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER Coo, down to just five bikes!
If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it. And RTFM.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

In uk.rec.motorcycles The Older Gentleman <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> Balancing 400 Four carbs is surprisingly easy, as long as you've got the
> gauges. The nice thing is that there is always enough fuel left in the
> lines and carb bowls for bloody ages - seriously, they'll run for an
> amazing distance with the tap closed - so you don't need to rig up a
> fuel supply.

I dont have vacuum guages so I will try my tried & tested method of
presetting the carbs to be identical, set the tickover adjuster so that
the pistons are JUST lifted, tweak to the same resistance to blowing
through each in turn, refit carbs, then measure the rpm drop when
disconnecting each plug in turn with the nice digital tacho on my
ancient SnapOn timing light and tweak to get the rev drops the same.

In theory this method should be just as accurate, I have used it on
V8 cars and the GS500 in the past.
There is probably a cheap set of vacuum testers available somewhere
but why spend cash if I can avoid it.
--
03 GS500K2
76 Honda 400/4 project
68 Bantam D14/4 Sport (Classic)
06 Sukida SK50QT (Slanty eyed shopping trolley)

The Older Gentleman wrote:

> Balancing 400 Four carbs is surprisingly easy, as long as you've got
> the gauges. The nice thing is that there is always enough fuel left
> in the lines and carb bowls for bloody ages - seriously, they'll run
> for an amazing distance with the tap closed - so you don't need to
> rig up a fuel supply.

Pah, call that easy? I've just balanced the throttle bodies on the MV.
Attach Carbtune hoses to the four ports on the side of the bike (2 on
each side), twiddle air bypass screws (which point out the sides & are
really easy to get to), job done. Took about 3 minutes.

--
Krusty

'03 Tiger 955i '02 MV Senna '96 Tiger (for sale)
'79 Fantic Hiro 250 (for sale) '81 Corvette (for sale)

On 4 Jul 2009 13:17:45 GMT, "Krusty" <(E-Mail Removed)>
wrote:

>The Older Gentleman wrote:
>
>> Balancing 400 Four carbs is surprisingly easy, as long as you've got
>> the gauges. The nice thing is that there is always enough fuel left
>> in the lines and carb bowls for bloody ages - seriously, they'll run
>> for an amazing distance with the tap closed - so you don't need to
>> rig up a fuel supply.
>
>Pah, call that easy? I've just balanced the throttle bodies on the MV.
>Attach Carbtune hoses to the four ports on the side of the bike (2 on
>each side), twiddle air bypass screws (which point out the sides & are
>really easy to get to), job done. Took about 3 minutes.

I've only ever balanced carbs on two bikes: an H1, and the Wing.

Special tools for the H1: three teaspoons.

Vac gauge for the Wing, one screwdriver, and an afternoon's plastics
removal time.
--
Salad Dodger

In uk.rec.motorcycles.classic The Older Gentleman <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
> > There is a mild clunking from the chaincase/gearbox area due to
> > slight uneven running at tickover, it goes away at around 1800 rpm.
> > A set of new plugs made little difference so my crystal ball is cackling
> > at me showing amusing images of an oldfart getting frustrated at the
> > carbs. I just HATE trying to balance four inaccessible carbs.
>
> That sounds like typical Honda clutch/primary chain chunter and it goes
> away when the carbs are balanced.
>
> And yes, always do the timing and tappets before doing the carbs.

Looks like I dont need to balance the carbs, the timing was out by a
country mile, sorted that one and the noise has gone.
OTOH, it was not possible to get the points gap right and the timing within
the adjustment range at the same time. Either the points or the
unobtainium advance mechanism must be worn. Closing up the points a tad
gives just enough retard to reach the F timing marks.
Just a tiny amount of timing chain noise now, not enough to justify a
major engine strip to fix.

--
03 GS500K2
76 Honda 400/4 project
68 Bantam D14/4 Sport (Classic)
06 Sukida SK50QT (Slanty eyed shopping trolley)

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> Just a tiny amount of timing chain noise now, not enough to justify a
> major engine strip to fix.

Not when there's a work-around involving sticking a screwdriver down the
tensioner tunnel.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER Coo, down to just five bikes!
If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it. And RTFM.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

> I dont have vacuum guages so I will try my tried & tested method of
> presetting the carbs to be identical, set the tickover adjuster so that
> the pistons are JUST lifted, tweak to the same resistance to blowing
> through each in turn, refit carbs, then measure the rpm drop when
> disconnecting each plug in turn with the nice digital tacho on my
> ancient SnapOn timing light and tweak to get the rev drops the same.
>
> In theory this method should be just as accurate,

Don't bank on it. 400F carbs are horribly finicky.

>I have used it on
> V8 cars

I bet they didn't have four carbs.

> and the GS500 in the past.

And I know these don't.

> There is probably a cheap set of vacuum testers available somewhere
> but why spend cash if I can avoid it.

Don't be a pikey. Buy the gauges. Once you have 'em, you have 'em for
life, and they're hyper-useful.


--
BMW K1100LT Ducati 750SS Honda CB400F Triumph Street Triple
Suzuki TS250ER Coo, down to just five bikes!
If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it. And RTFM.
chateau dot murray at idnet dot com

On 21 June, 21:50, totallydeadmail...@yahoo.co.uk (The Older
Gentleman) wrote:
> <c...@NOSPAM.netunix.com> wrote:
> > Having flogged the LE and the CB250RS I had some vacant space.
>
> > First the not-quite-so-daft bit, my cage is 2.5 tons of Renault Master
> > minibus chewing 90 quid in diesel every month, and half of the miles
> > are short trips to the supermarket which is not good for the engine but
> > ICBA to get a bike out and put it away again for a 5 mile round trip.
> > Enter a (sort of) bargain. A chinese scoot with only 680km in 3 years
> > for the price of 3 months diesel. All I need now is a top box and I have
> > a disposable plastic shopping trolley that can live outside ready to go.
>
> Um, it may have only done 680km because it keeps breaking down.
>
> > The next bit is a bit of an unknown until I collect it, a 400/4 project.
>
> The wheels are off a 250 Super Dream.

Gawd, those wheels look gash in black.

I have several sets of good order silver s/dream wheels (and tyres) if
you want 'em.

Paul.

In uk.rec.motorcycles.classic The Older Gentleman <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
> >
>
> > There is probably a cheap set of vacuum testers available somewhere
> > but why spend cash if I can avoid it.
>
> Don't be a pikey. Buy the gauges. Once you have 'em, you have 'em for
> life, and they're hyper-useful.

What do you suggest ?.

--
03 GS500K2
76 Honda 400/4 project
68 Bantam D14/4 Sport (Classic)
06 Sukida SK50QT (Slanty eyed shopping trolley)