What did you do to your bike today?

[IanDMacDonald]

Ras- I was extremely nervous pulling the pins on mine the other day, just knowing Murphy was hovering over my shoulder. Every prod, tap, rotation, pull made me envision one of those posts snapping off. Got lucky. And, I was surprised the floats held their measurement at EXACTLY 25.7 mm.

[jetmechmarty]

Ras- I was extremely nervous pulling the pins on mine the other day, just knowing Murphy was hovering over my shoulder. Every prod, tap, rotation, pull made me envision one of those posts snapping off. Got lucky. And, I was surprised the floats held their measurement at EXACTLY 25.7 mm.

I use an automatic center punch to push the pins. I may have learned that trick from Fred in S'toon about a hunnert years ago. It hasn't failed me.

There is a special tool for that as well. Randakk's Cycle Shakk

[IanDMacDonald]

I have a few auto punches at the shop, one with adjustable pressure. However, I feel like that'd deliver quite a shock to those posts. I won't be in those carvs for awhile, unless the 137.5's are too lean.

[Rasputin]

I just use a pair of pliers that I ground to what I needed, and a heavy plastic spacer. I have probably removed over 50 pins with it and no problems at all (knock on wood). I did post about it a long time ago, but everyone has their own ideas as to what is best.
I can pull all 4 pins and float assemblies in under 4 minutes easily. The best part is that it has been working so well that I do not even worry about pulling pins except for that brief flash just before I pull the pliers shut.

[Schming]

To alleviate the worry of a possible broken float post, before I reinstall the float pins, I twist a proper size drill bit, by hand, through the bores, so the pin is just snug, as it can't fall out when the bowl is in place.

HTH YMMV

[natemoen]

Those float pins are flared out by the head. I grind off the flare and then they don't stick anymore. Safer than drilling out the holes.

Also, I use a small butane torch and the pair of sidecutters to get under the head and twist and pull as I heat the post to melt the crud. 4 sets of carb's and never had one break yet.

[IanDMacDonald]

Those float pins are flared out by the head. I grind off the flare and then they don't stick anymore. Safer than drilling out the holes.

Also, I use a small butane torch and the pair of sidecutters to get under the head and twist and pull as I heat the post to melt the crud. 4 sets of carb's and never had one break yet.

Ahhhhh . . . I was wondering why the head did not seat all the way! As-long as the other side showed it was all the way through, I was happy. No broken posts, so that's always an accomplishment.

[motoman]

I have a few auto punches at the shop, one with adjustable pressure. However, I feel like that'd deliver quite a shock to those posts. I won't be in those carvs for awhile, unless the 137.5's are too lean.

.......at which point after removed, chuck pins up in a drill and with a small bastard file on its side, lightly remove that 1/8" of larger shoulder of head side of pin till it just slides in with a slight drag on it. Can't fall out as float bowl doesn't allow any side 'wiggle' room.

[jetmechmarty]

I worked on my bike. Now I have to fix it!

[MaximPhil]

I worked on my bike. Now I have to fix it!

Funny Marty
Phil

[motoman]

I worked on my bike. Now I have to fix it!

....I resemble that

[Orange4]

Just finished restoring my '78 front wheel. Sanded out the corrosion down to 1200 grit, polished and repainted. Now I can re-spoke and polish out the xs650 wheel.

[phatts27]

That is beautiful! Good work orange.

[Schming]

Very Nice !!!

Great job on the wheel resto, don't forget to bend the lock tabs up on the disc rotor bolts.

Did you clean and repack the wheel bearings also ?

Will you be using SS spokes on the 650 wheel ?

[Orange4]

Thanks. There's a a lot of elbow grease in those. Rear one will be much faster now that I have the technique down.

I'm looking for a place that will turn the rotors before I lock it all together finally.

I did repack them but didn't clean them. The grease looked pretty clean to start with.

I cheaped out and got the cad plated spokes. Will probably regret that but it's not going to be a wet weather bike so they should stay pretty corrosion free. Next time I'll spring for stainless because who likes to polish spokes?