TOPIC:

Just got this 81 with a J motor. I just heard this noise today coming from the clutch area. The noise goes away when you pull in the clutch lever. Now this doesn't seem like it should be normal to me but I'm also new to these bikes. Just looking for opinions on where to start.

Sync the carbs first and then adjust the idle rev up to 1100 rpm/min.

Scirocco wrote: Sync the carbs first and then adjust the idle rev up to 1100 rpm/min.

Well according to the guy I got it from (who built it) the carbs have been synced. I did raise the idle up some cuz it seemed to low to me. I believe I'm right around 900ish rpm tho. My tach needle jumps so it's not a perfect reading...I gotta get that fixed, i know lol.

You raised the idle up to 900 ?

If the PO had it set lower than that, I would be very suspicious of his claim that they are synchronized. As a rule of thumb, assume that everything that comes out of a seller's mouth is a lie.
I would raise the idle up to around 1100 as Scirocco suggests. Then I would double check the synchronization. These engines will make quite a clatter if those two things are not tended to.

P.S. The 1100 suggestion assumes a stock engine. If the engine has some drag race type cams, it may need to be a bit higher.

TexasKZ wrote: You raised the idle up to 900 ?

If the PO had it set lower than that, I would be very suspicious of his claim that they are synchronized. As a rule of thumb, assume that everything that comes out of a seller's mouth is a lie..

Exactly! If the previous owner had the idle set below 900 rpm, which is still very low, I seriously doubt he had any clue at all about synchronizing the carbs. In fact, why not ask him to show you the sync gauges? Ed

I'm assuming 900 but its probably more around 1000. With my needle bouncing I don't know the exact reading.

So far everything he said he did was done and the things he saw that needed attention are correct. But I always go over everything I buy cuz I know people will lie.