The New Guy

[John]

I just picked up an 81SH from a member, webbcraft 2150. He bought it with the intent of making a Sport bike killer, but just couldn't get around to it. It is complete, and looks pretty good. The paint is faded, but other than that, it looks good. He was told by the guy that he bought it from that it "just quit running", and webbcraft never had the chance to mess with it. I got it home , and started checking things out. First, ignition...I pulled #1 & 2 spark plugs, and they were firing. Great, I don't need a 4RO module. I put a gallon of fuel in the tank, and set the petcocks to prime. After letting it set for a couple of minutes. I tried to crank it. It turned over fine, but I discovered, that the throttle was frozen. I also noticed fuel pouring from the airbox. I pulled the bottom from the airbox, and saw that #4 carb was the culprit. Family commitments prevented me from going any further with it, but I just happen to have the carbs that were originally on Twilite Special, so I'll be swapping them out as soon as it warms up a little.
Stay tuned.

[John]

The results

After giving my spare set of carbs a quickie cleaning, I installed them in the New Guy. Changed out the spark plugs, and strapped the fuel tank onto the luggage rack and plumbed in some fuel lines. Set the petcock to Prime, and then hooked up the jumper cables to the car, and then to the bike. I set the choke, and hit the starter. It cranked a quite a while, but I could tell it was trying to fire. I moved the choke to the middle position, and cranked it...It started! After some pretty rough going, it started to smooth out under partial throttle, but wouldn't idle. I had set all of the pilot screws to 1 1/2 turns at first, so I increased by 1/2 turn and that seemed to help. I set the curb idle screw up a bit, and got it to idle on it's own. It wasn't as smooth as it should be, so I checked to see which cylinder(s) weren't firing. I tested each pipe to see if they were hot. 1 & 4 were, but 2 & 3 were just warm. They were hitting , but just not very well. I pulled the plug wire off # 2 and there was a definite change. The same for # 3, so it could be a fuel problem. I haven't done a compression check yet...my tester is at work, and I'm not. I'm going to take the carbs apart and give them a good cleaning. They have been setting for 7-8 months, drained but not treated with Stabil.
I'll know more in a few days.

[randy]

John,

Congratulations on the new addition to your 'family'

[John]

New Guy.

Actually, I think I'll rename it "Foster Child" because I won't be keeping it. It's just sorta 'staying with me' until it can get back on it's feet, and I can find it a permenant home. SWMBO and I are going to give it a good going over, , basic paint job, and then sell it for a modest profit. I promised webbcraft2150 that I wouldn't part it out, I would get it running instead. That was part of the sale agreement. Well, I got it running. Now it's time to rebuild everything.

[John]

Update

I recently tore down annd thoroughly cleaned my spare carbs for use on the Foster Child. One of the things I had found, concerning the reason that # 2 & 3 weren't running up to par was the fact that when I removed the float needles from the seats, I found the rubber tip on # 2 & 3 has come off the metal body of the needle and must have been obstrucing the fuel flow. I had some spares , so I replaced them. I also found a couple of small tears in the diaphram of # 2. I replaced it with one from the 81's carbs. I reinstalled them and the airbox. I rigged up a fuel line from the vent nipple of the 1 gallon gas can that I was using as a fuel supply, and T'd it into the lines for the carbs. I hooked up the jumper cables, and turned the ignition on. I set the gas can on it's end so the vent nipple was on the bottom, and waited for the bubbles to stop forming in the clear blue fuel line. I set the choke to full, and cranked it. It turned over about 4 revolutions, and roared to life at about 3500rpm. I quickly took off the choke and it idled on it's own, at around 2k I set the idle down at the thumb screw, and started to tweak the pilot screws. I had them set at 2 turns, and wound up with four turns. It now idles at 1000-1200 rpm. It accelerates well, and doesn't bang out on decel. I am happy.

[John]

Day four of repairs...

I went through the electrical system...everything works, even the self cancelling turn signals. A couple of lingering problems though. The right petcock will not totally shut off the fuel flow, it will drip continuously, and the rear brake M/C is stuck/inop. I have tried turning the rubber valve in the petcock over and rotating it, but that didn't stop the drip. Also, I'm still having a problem with the floats needles...they won't seal off the flow either, so new petcock kits and needle and seats are in order. I took it out for a test run yesterday, and it runs good. It may need a little tweaking, but I'll get it right. I have plenty of time.
It's not like I'm jonesin' riding, I already have ol' Twilite Special , and she's all ready to go. Besides, I've been busy with SWMBO and helping her get her engine prepped for paint and reassembly.

[John]

Road test

Well, the brakes, carbs, and petcocks have been rebuilt. The new horn/starter buttons are installed. The battery is new. I took it out a few days ago, and I put 19 miles on it. Everything worked as it should. It runs good, and it rides great. Better than my 80SG.
All I'm waiting on is some paperwork, making it Texas legal and getting a new rear tire on it. Then I'll get it out on the freeway...

[John]

Pics of Foster Child

Oops

[John]

Pics of Foster Child







Let's try this...
Ok, how do I make the pics smaller? TC, Help!!

****
I used Microsoft Paint to resize them from over 2048pix wide to around 700, about 35% Stretch/Skew function, both Horiz. and Vertical. I'm PM'ing you with the details of WHERE I put them!
T.C.

[John]

Hmmmmmmmmmm

That didn't seem to work...the pics are in the webshots that are in my signature. They are titled Foster Child.

[Ken Talbot]

John, I believe Webshots is one of the free hosting services that does not allow hotlinking of photos. You could try another service like photobucket.com

[Wildkat]

Re: Day four of repairs...

Originally posted by John
Besides, I've been busy with SWMBO and helping her get her engine prepped for paint and reassembly.

Yes... looking over my shoulder while I do the prep work does indeed take a good deal of his time.

[John]

Texas Legal

I finally got all the paperwork I was needing, and I now have a legal bike. SWMBO will be taking it out for an extended shake down cruise. I will be on Twilite Special. I hope it doesn't let us down. Wish us luck.