A couple noobie questions

[bgrubb7]

Starting my attempt at bring an old bike back from a 7 year nap.

1. It appears that the battery cables are missing. Parts store should be able to make be some new ones, but where exactly do they go? I can see from a pic in my Clymer's that the negative just ground directly to the frame - no problem. I can't find a decent pic of the positive cable. I'm assuming that at least the main branch goes directly to the Starter Solenoid, but won't there be a secondary branch that goes somewhere?

2. Motor hasn't turned over in years. I wan't to try to turn it over manualy. I know I should pour some type of penetrating oil in first just to be safe. Do I just pour it down the spark plug holes? Is PB Blaster good enough for this? Also, whats the best way to turn it over? 1st Gear then turn the back wheel?

Sorry if these seem like stoopid questions, but hey I'd rather ask first, than wish I had later!

[trbig]

I'm no electrical guru... (Or any other type now that you mention it) so someone else will have to chime in for that. As far as the oil in the cylinders, I wouldn't use a penetrating oil. They are very thin and may leak past the rings into your oil and break it down. Just pull the plugs and put about a teaspoon of regular motor oil in each cylinder through the plug hole. Let it sit a few minutes while you take the left hand side plate off. Under that plate, you will find a thin bolt over your points.... it uses a 19mm wrench. (I think) Just put it in neutral and work it around with the plugs still out.
If the plugs were in it, you should have very little, if any rust in the cylinders. Maybe a little bit in a cylinder that had a valve opened at the time. read the tech tips on the left side. There is a good guide of what to look for in a bike that has been sitting a while. Good luck. Get ready for the carbs next!

Tod

[bgrubb7]

Thanks! I did read through all the tech tips. Especially that thread, but was just looking for some more specific input.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there BGrubb7,

First, look at these photos:



In the left corner, is the Starter Solenoid, the battery (+) cable regrettably also in black, connects to the right pole, it's the shinier one in the top photo, it has a white zip tie around it in the second photo, the solenoids are different shapes depending on what year it's from, square or round. There IS a large RED ~10 or so gauge tap from the cable going to a similar cloth/fibre insulated wire that goes into the Wire Harness there which is the Main power for the bike! In the top photo, it's faded, but it's that arched wire going over the solenoid.

Secondly, Like Todd said, pull all of the plugs, then the timing cover, and "Try" to turn/spin the motor by hand with a wrench. IF it doesn't want to to turn, then DO use some Penetrating oil, but Mystery Marvel Oil would be better than PB. Use a table spoon and put one in each hole, then let it sit/soak overnight. Then try to turn it with the wrench. IF it turns, then you're good to go. IF it doesn't want to turn, then instead of trying to use a wrench and possibly damaging the timing plate, put the bike in gear and use the drivetrain and some rocking action to help "break" it loose. Actually shift it UP into 2nd or higher gear if you can, it will give the wheel more leverage in turning the engine. In higher gear the engine turns few revs per # of rear wheel turns, so in higher gear, the rear wheel will have more leverage, will require more distance of turn to move engine, but that's the leverage!

IF it was napping outdoors, it could very well have developed some rust in the cylinder(s) that had exhaust/intake valves open to the atmosphere!

You'll want to check/clean ALL of the wire connections, and also pull and tear down and rebuild the carbs, and then change ALL of the oils before trying to actually START the engine! Good Luck, and welcome to the "Club".
T.C.

[bgrubb7]

Thanks TC!

Sorry I didn't mention before that I've got an 81 H model. So Mine is like the top photo. I'll be printing this off and comparing to my bike tomorrow, and hopefully I can track down where that 10 gauge lead goes.

Thanks again. You guys go above and beyond to help your fellow XS'ers!