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It Runs!
Being a mechanic got the better of me today, and I decided that, through the hands of my wife, I would try to get Ol' Twilite to crank up and run. I inserted the key and turned it on...nothing at all. Not even the horn, which is wired independently of the ignition circuit. I had WK (Wildkat/wife) pop of the right side cover and use a test light for power at the battery cable at the solenoid. The light glowed. Battery was still connected. Had WK probe the fuses, cold. Had her remove the left side cover and check the main fuse...destroyed in the accident. She dug out the pieces as I located an other fuse. She inserted the fuse and closed the holder. I turned the key on...idiot lights glowed! I turned the left petcock on to prime the carbs, but WK said to stop, as there was a fuel leak. We examined the petcocks and lines, and found that the line to #3-4 carbs was knocked off, and missing. I left the fuel off and hit the starter button. It cranked and acted like it wanted to start, but wouldn't catch. I set the choke, and hit it again...It came roaring to life with a mighty cloud of blue smoke, and a hearty growl from the pipes. I gave it a couple of twists, just to get that vibration going through my body. What a sensation! I idled it down and shut it off. Just knowing that it still runs is a very positive sign. We will be back! The bike is only 1,400 miles from hitting 100,00 miles, and I'll be damned if it don't happen without my ass in the seat! Looks like WK will be learning a whole lot more about the xs in the months to come, as she will be doing a lot of the physical work on the bike. We may start earlier than expected, now that I know she wants to help bring it back. I think the biggest problem will be the fork ears attaching the headlight bucket, and getting the right side muffler straightend. Wish us luck.
Being a mechanic got the better of me today, and I decided that, through the hands of my wife, I would try to get Ol' Twilite to crank up and run. I inserted the key and turned it on...nothing at all. Not even the horn, which is wired independently of the ignition circuit. I had WK (Wildkat/wife) pop of the right side cover and use a test light for power at the battery cable at the solenoid. The light glowed. Battery was still connected. Had WK probe the fuses, cold. Had her remove the left side cover and check the main fuse...destroyed in the accident. She dug out the pieces as I located an other fuse. She inserted the fuse and closed the holder. I turned the key on...idiot lights glowed! I turned the left petcock on to prime the carbs, but WK said to stop, as there was a fuel leak. We examined the petcocks and lines, and found that the line to #3-4 carbs was knocked off, and missing. I left the fuel off and hit the starter button. It cranked and acted like it wanted to start, but wouldn't catch. I set the choke, and hit it again...It came roaring to life with a mighty cloud of blue smoke, and a hearty growl from the pipes. I gave it a couple of twists, just to get that vibration going through my body. What a sensation! I idled it down and shut it off. Just knowing that it still runs is a very positive sign. We will be back! The bike is only 1,400 miles from hitting 100,00 miles, and I'll be damned if it don't happen without my ass in the seat! Looks like WK will be learning a whole lot more about the xs in the months to come, as she will be doing a lot of the physical work on the bike. We may start earlier than expected, now that I know she wants to help bring it back. I think the biggest problem will be the fork ears attaching the headlight bucket, and getting the right side muffler straightend. Wish us luck.
However, you'll have lots of computer time to contribute, so you might catch up to me yet!!!
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