Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
Cause anymore rapid deterioration of the rear tires recently? Did you ever order the 3.50s and locker?
Looks like you found good use for the LC’s Mud Terrains. They are stuffed into those wheel wells, looks straight up awesome!
How snug are you hoping to get the ATV to the underside of the RTT rack?Did an oil change in Redee, think it had been almost 2-years, but less than 5,000 km. I had hoped the fresh oil would help Redee shed a few degrees of engine temp, but that did not happen.
Today I cruised to Orangeville on purely paved roads, with unlocked hubs, and still was running hotter than I would like. It’s not the actual temp that concerns me, but the inability to bring the temps down that gets me.
So, I ordered three new fans today off ebay. one 16″ as a direct replacement PUSHER, and two 9″ which I’ll put on the PULL side on a separate switch. Really hope I won’t need the 9s, but a little extra cooling couldn’t hurt. Thinking of a way to put it on a timer, so I can run the fans for 1-2 mins after I turn off the ignition. Again, this may be overkill once the old dying fan comes out.
Today in The Shop, Redee got an oil change! I did my best to recall just when the last oil change was, and after 30 mins I decided it had been “too long”. Although I’ve only put about 5,000km on Redee since Road Legal in May ’19, but that oil is at least from Sept ’18. The Fumitomo valve made quick work of draining (once I re-remembered how to open it) and the old filter spun off with ease.
Next week the Katana will get some more attention as the Amazon people say the battery should arrive on Monday.
Yesterday (or the day before) my parents visited and my Dad caught sight of the Katana in The Shop. Over the course of the next half hour, he proceeded to convince himself that the physical size and displacement is just what he was looking for, and suggested I call him for a test ride when the battery arrives. My Dad is not new to Katana’s, in 2003 he bought an ’89 Katana 1100 to reduce his commuting costs (and time) between Brampton and Toronto. That bike was only around for a season or two, cause he replaced it with a Harley Davidson FLHT (Electra Glide Ultra) FireFighter edition. That was a sweet bike, think he put 70,000km on it in a couple years between commuting and adventuring for a few days at a time. Then, 2 kids in University and a third to start soon put an end to bikes. Fast forward 10-years, Mom and Dad are both retired, downsized their house, and enjoying Grand-parenthood and golfing. Time for another bike!!
I wish I had a picture of the HD, the colour was an awesome “Fire Engine Red”, and I don’t ever recall seeing it dusty, or water spotted, let along dirty. A far cry from my Red beast haha.
Yea, the kit looks decent. Hoping to make a lil cash off this tool once it arrives.
Today in the shop, the Katana again until the new battery arrives.
I also pulled Redee out, but not for exercise, just to rearrange some stored stuff and sweep the floor. Real exciting stuff today.
The bike is too tall for my buddy, he did not take it out for a good thrashing.
The bike is being plagued by weak spark and I’ve grown tired of charging the battery, so we ordered a new one online, and a set of ‘carb sync gauges’. Both will arrive early June, so it’s more waiting now.
Hooray for new tools, now please hurry CBS border people. There was a similar gauge set for sale in Ontario, but for $20 more I got an extra dozen adapters and a molded plastic case. An easy upsell.
Attachments:
I agree, but the cruiser doesn’t really appeal to me. My buddy is a few inches shorter than me, pretty sure his ability to touch the ground will be quite the determining factor for him.
On the curb this morning, needs a battery and tires.
Think my Buddy Ratul is coming by in the afternoon to give the Katana a rip. He’s keen to buy it and has a kijiji person coming to check out his Virago this morning.
Today in The Shop, a running Katana! I decided I would buy 4 new spark plugs and remove the bank of carbs to take a better look.
The old plugs looked decent, but not worth keeping. $15 ea for new ones, they had better be worth it.
Once getting the bank of carbs out, and dripping gas everywhere, I started my investigation. Each carb was set back to spec, and got its jets cleaned.
The first carb was too lean on the idle screw by over 1 full turn. And the idle jet on carb 3 was almost completely clogged. I didn’t dare mess with the linkages between the carbs, but I suppose the next improvements can be made there….once I buy or rig a gauge.Reinstall the carbs, linkages and airbox, Temp install the tank, prime the fuel bowls, FIRE! Great on choke, but dying going full OFF. Fiddle with the idle speed, blip the throttle, rev rev Rev FREAKIN’ REVVVV!!!! Smooth idle.
Reassemble everything. Parked at the door. Ready to hit the curb tomorrow.
Today in the shop, the Katana had some layers removed. Off came the seat, tank, upper and lower fairings, coils and plugs. With help from my daughter, we got a version of a compression test completed.
The motor had not been warmed up and the battery is weak, however all 4 cylinders came in above the minimum spec and within allowable deviation.
Cylinder #2 was cold to touch the other day after test firing, was afraid it made no compression, but it tested highest today. The plug was also wet and stinky of gas. All good signs.Later today, or perhaps another day I’ll check valve clearance on all cylinders, hoping cylinder #1 with lowest compression is just a bit tight valve clearance.
Otherwise I’m looking at testing each coil resistance, and finally pulling the bank of carbs to get a real good look.
Fun day playing with new toys, er I mean tools, glad the new compression tester was compatible.
You might not have done any work, but you did facilitate some exercise. Does the dodge leave a healthy set of stripes behind?
Agreed, it looks quite sharp. Should sell quick when camping is allowed again.
Your kijiji trailer looks pretty solid to build off of. Have fun buddy!
Today in The Shop, three machines all received a little attention.
First up, the Katana. Knowing that the bike WANTS to start, I made some efforts today to promote starting.
First up, I put the OEM fuel tank petcock back in, as the generic aftermarket one did not fit the clearance hole of the fairing at all.
Secondly I replaced the fuel line, removing a kink that was in it blocking flow.
With everything put back together the bike started, but would not idle without choke and was surging quite a bit. Afterwards one of the exhaust headers was noticeably colder than the rest, no combustion.
Plan of attack: compression test, if OK get plugs, and clean carbs starting with the cold one.Next up, my buddy Ratul popped over on his Yamaha Virago. We brainstormed out a solution to a problem he noticed, and put it in place. He adjusted the throttle cable linkage to balance the idle speed across both cylinders. Starts faster, idles smoother.
Third up in the shop, Matt’s 4th gen. Out came a set of used up iridium plugs, in went the new set. His primary air filter was damn clean, so the new one is still in the box. But while in there, Matt took the time to cut out the secondary charcoal filter.
That’s it for today.
