Gas Smell - Wobble

[slacker]

I have checked the tech threads and can't find my answer. Two issues. (81 eleven special)

1. Wobble. I have a wobble at 35 to 40 MPH. I have a Vindicator on the front, and one person told me it is the faring causing it. The faring seems okay (tight) and the wobble seems to be getting worse. I aired up the front tire last night to 40 PSI from the 35 it was at. While it seemed to help, the wobble is still there. No vibration at highway speeds. Any ideas, anyone?

2. Had the carbs rebuilt when I bought it. Yesterday, I ran out of gas. Assuming the tank is 3.5 gallons, I am getting about 20 MPG (70 miles on a tank) and each night, as I tuck my bike in its bed in the garage, I have a super strong odor of gas. Not leaking anywhere. While the gas cap seal is old and may be ineffective, the majority of the smell seems to be the carb area. The mechanic who rebuilt my cards also rerouted the hoses so I bypass the prime setting on the petcock. ie Gravity feed only. My wife is NOT going to let me keep the bike in the garage if I can't eliminate the smell. Any suggestions of where to start looking?

Thanks for any help you can provide. Slacker Bob.

[Snow]

I bet the gas is coming through the float bowls - sounds like the float levels are wrong or the float valves need to be replaced. Also, petcocks should keep the gas from flowing when the vehicle is parked, "re-rerouting" to disable their functionality is a bit of cobbling if you ask me. The problem is that the special petcocks just flow into the "octopus" and the "octopus" is what actually controls the fuel flow to the carbs via vacuum. I would put the fuel lines back to orginal "routing" including a re-built octopus.

[Dennyz]

I agree with Snow. I think it is expecting too much from the float valves to completely shut off the fuel, particularly when parked on the side stand. I would recommend reconnecting the Octopus.

As for the wobble, here are some ideas,

1. Check air pressure in your fork. It needs to be the same.
2. When was the last time the forks where cleaned out and new fluid put in?
3. Do you have a fork brace?
4. Stand up and look at the front wheel to see if it is wobbling. If it is check wheel bearings. I once had a tire cause this.
5. Check that your rear springs are set the same. The swing arm is not very rigid on these bikes.
6. Check the rear wheel is centered in the frame (swing arm pivots).
7. Check that fork tubes are square in the triple clamps
8. CHeck that the front axle bolt is torgued to spec.

[dbyers]

I had the same problem with gas smell when not using the Octopus. Mine did not work so I routed it like yours. When not using the octopus you HAVE to remember to turn both petcocks to the off position or the carbs bowls will fill with gas and over flow. It take a very small amount of gas to make a huge gas smell. My blower for the A/C until is in my garage. The last time I forgot to turn off the petcocks I woke up at 2am with the smell of gas in my house. Wife was very upset. Since then I've always cut both petcocks off and haven't had an issue.

[Geezer]

Since you seem to have plenty of help with the second problem, I'll only address the wobble. Even if the tire is good, it may be time to have it balanced. Also tap on the out side of the calipers with a rubber mallet to take the drag off the rotor and spin the front wheel by hand. Also try to shake the wheel side to side. If there is any reason to suspect the wheel bearings replace them. Your life is worth far more than 25 bucks worth of bearings.

First, inspect the condition and pressure on the front tire. If the condition is at all suspect, replace the tire.

Put the bike on the center stand and put a jack under the engine and raise it up until the front tire just clears the ground. The front end should smoothly move from side to side and there should be no fore and aft movement. If the side to side movement is notchy or draggy, pull the forks and inspect the steering head bearings. Odds are they'll have to be replaced. If there is fore and aft movement, you'll need to tighten the adjuster nut under the top fork crown. Even if the bearings are good, it wouldn't hurt to open them up and clean and grease them.

Next change your fork oil. It doesn't take much condensation to muck them up.

This will solve most wobbles. Good luck and keep us posted.

Geezer

[prometheus578]

I'm not familiar with which type o' carbs you have or whether or not you have "overflow tubes" on your carbs if the bowl gets too full. If you don't have them, then when your carbs start to overflow, fuel can go either way, into your airbox or into the engine. After you remedy your carb prob, an oil change might be in order. Anytime I get a bike at work with leaking carbs, an oil change is automatic. As for the wobble... check that the front tire isn't scalloped or cupped. Run your palm over the tire tread, from cleat to cleat. Should be relatively smooth. If you feel your hand catching as you move from tread cleat to tread cleat you need to replace the tire. ("now that's a shame..... has all that good tread left, too") Had a bad shake on a long trip that left my forearms numb for three days. Threw the old tire away... along with the wobble. As for the fairing, make sure it's aligned perfectly straight. If it's canted to one side, the wind will try to push your bike thataway, and it'll keep trying to correct itself.

[slacker]

Thanks for all the help guys.

Since I have never worked on a bike, this ought to be a treat. The things I can attest to:

I know the tire is good and there are not wear issues. (I am an old tire guy from way back)

That is it. That is all I know. The rest I will have to figure out this weekend. Thanks Again.

[tfm3]

I'm sure you've already checked this, but here it is anyway. Remove oil fill cap -smell for gas. If you do, drain and change. Stating the obvious here,I know. Had same problem last week, including entire contents of fuel tank puddled on the garage floor. Also had same problem with S.O.; fix it or get it out of the garage. Been sorting through all posts here on the topic of fuel leaks-can't express enough gratitude for the resources,folks. Ain't fixed yet, but bygosh it will be soon!

[prometheus578]

I WAS going to write "If you can't get rid of the gas smell, I can post a few tips on getting rid of the wife", but I thought better of it, and in the end decided not to write that. Oh...!

[tfm3]

After 14 years of watching and helping me wrench bikes and Ford pickups she's used to the occasional lingering fossil fuel aromatic in the garage. It only becomes a problem when I fall into bed drenched in the stuff in the middle of the night cuz I was too wiped out to take a damn shower. White linens-who needs 'em!

[Ken Talbot]

With a re-plumbed special, you might be getting fuel flooding into the crankcase which is very bad. Of course, if the carbs have been rebuilt properly and the float valves are in proper operating condition, this could never happen. The sad fact is that many carbs that have been 'rebuilt' still need to be done by someone (like an interested owner) who will have the time and patience to do it correctly, even if that takes two or three . times. While you're at it, I would sugest you also take the time to learn how the octopus works and how the fuel line plumbing should work and set that all back to original. The setup is called an octopus for good reason, but it does work well if you take the time to sort it out.

[slacker]

Update

Thought I would update for those who are interested. I was wrong about it NOT being the tire. I had the front tire replaced today, and it handles MUCH MUCH better and the wobble is gone. Have been playing around with the gas smell, and it seems to be coming from the back edge of the gas cap. I don't want to spend $65.00 for a new one, but seached the shelves at Home Depot and cannot find a replacement gasket that is even close. The OD is 2", ID is 1.5" and the width is about .25" Any other rubber gasket ideas besides plumbing? There must be somewhere or something that uses that type of gasket.

[TopCatGr58]

Congrats on the tire! Find a real Hardware store, they have large rubber/neoprene washers that you can cut to fit the size of the tank opening, that's what I did on mine!
T.C.

[slacker]

Gas Smell

Thanks for the advice. A buddy suggested that I cut up an intertube, which should work too. I will try to do that today. Started seaching for rear shocks last night. Can't seem to find Chrome replacements. Anyone have any luck finding a source for shocks?

[prometheus578]

Glad that you found the prob. Finding a wobble can frustrate you to no end. I just replaced my wobbly due to obvious cupping, but was quite surprised to find that after letting the air out, I was able to press in on the tire with just a little pressure from my thumb! It was like the thing was only 1/8 inch thick, yet it still had about 3/4 thread left. Was a Kenda. How it ever got on MY bike, I'll never know. (previous owner) Never skimp on tires... they're the only things keeping your rump from skidding down the pavement. And stay away from Kenda's and Chicken Skins (Chen Shin)