carb issues

[old_skool]

I had no mechanic training at all but when I dug old Hermes out of the raspberries a few years ago I figured it was a good opportunity to learn. If I killed it, so what. As it sat it wasn't ever going to run again until I performed CPR on it. So with all the advice and guidance from this site, and a lot of learning through experimentation I've fully restored my SF and am largely through restoring an LH. When I say restore, I don't mean fix till it runs, what I mean is take it back to the way it looked and ran coming off the line. Time consuming yes, but you can't believe the grin on my face everytime I look at them or fire it up for a ride. Like stepping into a time machine and taking off 34 years.

That's my goal next winter, do a full off restoration, not sure what bike I want to do it on yet, but definitely has to be a keeper.

[jetmechmarty]

I have a '83 XS650. I bought it new. I had to go through the carbs once. EVER! That was after a very long period of no use. It's been sitting for two months. I will bet money that when I go home in three weeks it will start on the very first kick! (allow 2 ign off kicks to prime it)

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Skool,

I got my bike essentially NEW in 83 with 17 miles on it...it essentially was fired up every month while it sat in Japan from 81-83 on a Naval base. I then got it back home to the USA. It's been so long ago, I don't recall whether I had the local bike shop work on the carbs or not, but rode it 365 for 1.5 years to work and back, then got a car, so then I rode it less, a few thousand miles a year or so. I NEVER had to work on the carbs until the tranny crapped out in '92. I rebuilt them in 2000 when I fixed the tranny. Again, I only put a few thousand miles a year on it, and aside from fixing a broken float post , they worked great for many years. I DO use Seafoam to keep it from gumming up when it sits....the winters here in Southeast VA. are not necessarily that cold, and it's garage kept.

T.C.

[ViperRon]

XS11 Forever

I got my bike new in August of 80 and had very little problem with it except the two times I left it sit for a long time. The carbs were rebuilt in 90 because of this but this time after sitting totally dissasembled for about 10 years in a damp shed I had very little problem with bike after removing corrosion. The carbs just needed cleaning. I have only had gas in oil once but have has friends that had continual problems.

I think the real issue with the carbs is first with making sure they are adjusted and cleaned propery. Secondly good fuel and not leaving it sit for a long period. Gas today goes bad and water is a common occurance. Petcocks I feel were of a poor design in the beginning mainly because of no off position in design. My feeling is if you are not thinking clear enough to turn on the gas to go you better not drive the bike.

One other thought to collectors is it will be many many years before these bikes have any real value. Many were made and so many will still be here when all of us are gone.