A Newbies Adventures in Maintenanceland!

Yeah, I just wanna ride that's for sure! I agree that there is an air leak somewhere, if the mixture screws are bad they would also have been bad the first time I rode it, and I managed to ride it no problem that day other than the oil leak. I will check it out soon and post results, again, thanks for all the help!

So looks like my project is not done after all I went to take the carbs out to try to locate my air leak, and there was gas dripping from the carbs, apparently my petcock decided to go for a vacation this winter, and forgot to come back. I took the tank off and the pet off, but it looks to be in good shape, no rips in the diaphragm or any rubber parts, but the "on" and "res" settings flow fuel freely like the "pri" weird...I will have to look into it further. I also decided that I am going to just get the pods on the carbs now, and screw putting them on later, this way I can find the leak and be done with it.

It's most likely a float valve issue.

While leaking, and with engine idling, rap smartly against the float bowl with a plastic hammer or handle of a large screw driver, and this will sometimes arrest the fuel leakage and restore the valve to proper function.

Good Fortune!

9am53 wrote:

So looks like my project is not done after all I went to take the carbs out to try to locate my air leak, and there was gas dripping from the carbs, apparently my petcock decided to go for a vacation this winter, and forgot to come back. I took the tank off and the pet off, but it looks to be in good shape, no rips in the diaphragm or any rubber parts, but the "on" and "res" settings flow fuel freely like the "pri" weird...I will have to look into it further. I also decided that I am going to just get the pods on the carbs now, and screw putting them on later, this way I can find the leak and be done with it.

Sorry to hear this my friend! But, these bikes are pretty old.
The petcock should only flow gas in the prime position, and absolutely none on the on/res position unless vacuum is present on the fitting.

It probally needs to be rebuilt...

Now for the carbs... Patton is correct on the float valve issue. The float valves should completely stop the flow of fuel once the bowls have filled, wether or not the petcock is flowing.

With the BS34 carbs you have, there is no overflow tubes (like older carbs), which means that if the carbs overflow from old worn out float valves, the gas can go directly into the cylinders! This is bad... for many reasons I wont get into.

Take the carbs right off the bike and drain em'
Flip them over and remove all the bowls.
Pull the float pins out via a sharp knife.
The valves hang on the float tang, and will come out easily when lifted.
Clean the valve seats (the hole in the botom of the brass fittings), and the valve head/tips with q-tips dipped in metal polish - mothers aluminum/blue magic work best.
Get all that metal super shiny, especially in the brass fitting - the whole tube and the tiny hole in bottom especially!

reassemble, then rig a setup so that you can hook up the gas to the carbs off the bike.
let the gas flow and watch for leaks. If the floats are still leaking it could be very slowly, so let them sit overnight.
After that cleaning, they shouldnt leak, but if they do, you may need to order new valves/seats.
You will see gas flowing out either end of the venturi if its leaking...

Good luck man! It kinda sucks, but the carbs deserve the most attention of all. Without them you have nothing!
May as well make sure all the jets are clean/clear too..

And check your cylinders for gas with a flashlight. If there is some gas present, pull off your oil fill cap and sniff for gas in there. you may need to change the oil if the gas was flowing for too long.

9am53 wrote:

So looks like my project is not done after all

It never is! NEVER! :laugh:

OK.

As far as possible air leak... You have re-torqued the head nuts right - this is super critical! After first hot run, everything compresses considerably, and the nuts can get really loose, and well, leak.

Download and study...

kzrider.com/index.php?option=com_docman&...d&gid=461&Itemid=108

I don't think my carbs are even on there...weird. I think I am copping out. I am sending the carbs out to be done by a pro. I got a nice tax return and figure I can afford some peace of mind since I did everything else myself. When I have 2 bikes I will learn about these fandangled carbs, but I would rather enjoy riding this time around. I am just curious why my petcock worked fine last year, but now doesn't. Ah well, what are ya gonna do?

Regarding the pet, is it possible that the round rubber with the holes in it somehow shrank and now doesn't seal against the rotating knob? That is the only way I can explain it, it looks nice and clean with no issues but flows freely in all positions. I will order a rebuild kit I guess

Carb Theory 101 and jetting guide is pretty much the same for all crabs..

Sure yours may be a little different in how they go about it mechanically but the principles are the same regardless...

Which carbs are on your bike again?

I have BS34's, Like you say I presume they would be the same as any CV carb. I know I could put a dynojet kit in my self, BUT I don't mind spending some dough to know it is done right. I mean whats better, me put it in, do a bench synch for the first time, use a diy vacuum gauge for the first time, and possibly have the wrong jets in there etc. and have to pull it apart and start over, all the time stressing the rubber on the carb holders OR spend some money which I have at the moment and have somebody properly synch and colortune the carbs...know what I'm sayin?

Riding time is nigh...

Arrrrgggghhhh... You're killing me bud.... :laugh:

hey man, I know. I look at it as being smart. I am a pessimist, so by def'n I try to avoid the worst case scenario; that being me riding in june only to realize that my carb tuning job was not so good, but I can't afford to start over again since all my tax return is gone. I figure get it done now and forget about it. Should I start another thread called "pussyfooting around carburetors" ? lol

Old Man Rock wrote:

Arrrrgggghhhh... You're killing me bud.... :laugh:

:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: