Thanks Top Cat

[Jacobite]

Ken made some good points about combining the two threads - so I'm restarting here.

Thanks very much for the advice. There's lots there to keep me busy this weekend.

I didn't clean the carbs to the extent you described, and as the bike sat for a long time with fuel in it I think that is where I'll start. Any hints on getting the diaphragm to sit in place when putting it back together? Two of them seemed to fall into place, one was a bit tricky, and one was a major pain.

My 14 year old son also asked if the plug wire could be bad - I'll try that as well.

I'll follow your suggestions and hopefully I can unleash the power that I know is lurking in there.

It has been warm here the past couple of weeks, there are lots of bikes on the road and its driving me nuts. Just want to get out and ride.

I'll still need tires and (I think) fork seals - but I'll concentrate on the engine first.

Thanks again TC, I appreciate the time and thought you put into your reply.

[Ken Talbot]

Carb cleaning is definitely the place to start. It may take a while, but getting them truly clean is the only way you're ever going to know what your ride is capable of.

For getting the diaphrams to stick until you can get the cover on, there was a post in the last couple of days that suggested some sort of a special grease to kind of stick them in place. I haven't used anything like this, but I have had a bit of trouble with some diaphragms. Usually, it just takes a bit of patience to get it stretched out a bit so it sits in the groove. It doesn't have to sit there for long, just long enough to get the cover slapped on over it.

[TopCatGr58]

You're welcome there Jacobite,

Like Ken said, just hold it in the groove with one hand, get the top ready with the other and put it in place, holding it down once you get it together until you can put one screw in and get tightened! Being rubber, they don't recommend using petrol greases, however I used some Lithium based spray lightly on mine around the edges. Let us know your progress!
T.C.

[Jacobite]

Thanks again, I will concentrate on getting the carbs good and clean first - then go from there. Now to just find the time...

My neighbours son came home yesterday with a new GSXR 600. Now I have to watch him drive by. More incentive to get my bike running well.

I will keep you poseted on how I get along, and I'm sure I will have lots of questions as I go. Thanks for putting the owners manual on line - lots of useful info there.

[scalded dog]

I found, if you set a socket vert carefully inside the carb body, under the needle body to hold it up, the diaphrams will set in the groove better. Later 'Dog