Central Texas Carb Clinic June 5,6, 2010

[The Bike Doc]

Central Texas Carb Clinic 2010

Well it's that time of year again to schedule the Central Texas Carb Clinic 2010. The weekend is June 5,6, 2010. The main tuning will be done on Saturday with Sunday left for the ride back home. The clinic will be at Bluff Creek Ranch in Warda, TX where it was hosted in 2008 and 2009. www.bcrwarda.com . The ranch phone number is 979-242-5894.

Similar format as before: Ranch camping fees $10.00 per night/person (tuners are covered by their sweat equity). There is a “bunk house” in the loft of the barn with a screened tent and cots (six available) so if you want to travel light and just bring a bed roll you have that option as well. I will cook up some longhorn bar-b-que, home made rolls, vegetarian beans, veggie dish and cowboy cookies. Cost of the meal will be $8.00.

I plan to ride out of Amarillo, TX on Thursday June 3, 2010 after breakfast and make a leisurely two day trip through the Texas Alps (Claude to Quitaque to Junction to Campwood to Boerne, TX) and arrive at the ranch on Friday evening. We can either motel it or camp on the way. There are some great state parks we could stay at (Lost Maples State Park, Garner State Park, and a County Park in Camp Wood are all viable options) so let me know what you would prefer. Sunday I will do a lightning run back to Amarillo, the shorter, but still scenic way with a few twists and shouts thrown in. No super slab riding, all back roads. So if you would like to join me for any or all of the down leg or back leg journey, let me know so we can coordinate a meeting place. For those who want to start with me in Amarillo and arrive Wednesday night, I will put you up in my home.

Pipe in with what tools you will bring and whether you will be a Tuner or a Tunee. Let me know how many will be in your party, names and what motorcycles you will be bringing. Even if you won't be riding an XJ or XS but want to come out for a fun weekend, you are more than welcome: Beemer's, Ducatti's, Kawi's, Suzki's and Hindi's are all welcome but you Harley riders well...
"we'll even let the Irish come"(Mel Brooks Blazing Saddles;-), I mean the Harley riders come.

Comers:
Jim Witler (on a Yammer TBA on arrival???)
Tommy Nolan (1982 XJ750RJ Seca Gray Ghost)
Lee Keohan (XJ650)
Ray Knight (1983 XJ900RK or XJ?)
Tuners:
Gary Schulte (Maxi….?)
Hosts:
Paul Nolan (1982 XJ750RJ Seca Sweet Scarlet)
Jon Holmes (2007 Kawasaki KTR 600)

These are the tuning tools that I have available:
Morgan Carbtune Pro, Gunson Colortune Tuning Spark Plug Kit 14mm Spark Plug, YICS Port Blanking Tool, YICS Chamber Port Cleanout Tool, Compression Gauge, Idle Mixture Screw Removal and Adjuster Tool, size #2 & #2 JIS-standards Phillips Screw Drivers, Heavy-Duty Impact Driver Set and long bits, Auxiliary Fuel Tank, Valve Shim Pool for XJ Non-X models 2.45 – 2.90 4+ of each, Valve Shim Bucket Retainer Tool, Feeler Gauge Set (Non-X), High and Low Torque Wrenches, Full set of metric tools, sockets, box wrenches, allen keys, bearing pullers, c-ring spanner tools, healthy assortment of bicycle tools, stainless steel metric allen bolts, washers and nuts.

Len Chacal of XJ4Ever will provide all parts he sells for 10% off with no shipping charges with the following requirements: a single order will be made by me and shipped to the ranch. The order must be submitted three weeks before the carb clinic so parts that may be back ordered and can arrive in time to be done as single shipment the clinic. Please note the discount only applies to those items ordered in group by me and delivered to the ranch. Len will not extend the discount to an individual who says he/she is going to the carb clinic and order separately. Go to http://www.xjbikes.com/Forums/viewforum/f=23.html to review his EXTENSIVE parts list. Len is prompt in responding to email inquiries at info@xj4ever.com and he won’t try to sell you something you don’t need. I have done business with Len for 3 years and I give him my highest compliments for his business ethics, quality of parts, knowledge and service. Let me know what parts you need then I will put together the order for the clinic and get it to Len 3 weeks before the designated clinic date. Order Deadline Monday May 17, 2010.

Items to think about for ordering for the clinic:
Shims for XJs and XS (I have a shim pool for XJ, Non-X models, sizes 2.45 – 2.90 4 of each)
Rubber valve cover gasket
Valve cover hold-down bolt rubber pressure washers
Fuel system maintenance (fuel lines, fuel filters, gas cap seals, petcock rebuilds or replacement, fuel lines, vacuum lines, etc.)
Fuse box upgrades
Alternator brush replacement
Exhaust gasket replacement
Fork tube rebuilds
Wheel bearing replacement
Tapered roller bearing set for head/steerer tube
Shock absorber replacement
Engine gasket/oil seal replacement (i.e. "leaks elimination")
Ignition system maintenance (coils, plugs, plug caps, etc.)
Maintenance Free Batteries
Stainless Steel Brake Lines (I have a set of Len’s SS brake lines on Scarlet and it was well worth the upgrade)
Brake shoes and pads
Brake springs
Spin-on Oil Filter adapter (another great upgrade)

X type shim jobs are a major operation and best not done in the limited time of the carb clinic. Some other items may not best be done at the carb clinic unless you know you will have enough manpower and tools such as fork rebuilds, head tube bearing replacement, but with the discount and free shipping it is a good time to get needed parts for a later maintenance/upgrade job.

Thanks,

Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc
Amarillo, TX
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Sweet Scarlet"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Gray Ghost"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Bones" (The Donner Cycle)
1979 XS1100SF Special "Black Ranger"

[webbcraft2150]

Pretty close for me. By June, my rig should be in good shape and should not need any work. Still clearing up a few issues incountered at the M.O.M rally but nothing serious. I am pretty quick on fork seal jobs on the an XS (with the right tools, which I have) and have dove into more than one set of carbs with good sucess. Can also offer a "way point' for incoming riders and for the ultimate bummer, a haul truck for those that experience an unfortunate breakdown that is not a roadside fix. Always up to help a fellow XS'er.

[The Bike Doc]

Webcraft:

Glad to have you on board. Where will you be riding in from?

I hope to ride down on my XS11 "Black Ranger" if I can get a friend of mine to ride down on Sweet Scarlet. The "Ranger" just had a major resurrection ; he sat unridden for 5 years before I got him and with the extremely excellent help of my friend, Gary Schulte, was brought back to life. So his carbs aref freshly cleaned, synched and finely tuned. I will be riding him back from Austin Texas to Amarillo next week for a great "pre-carb cliniic ride." Sweet Scarlet is due for her annual tuning so she is in greater need of the Carb Clinic so if I cannot get mi amigo to ride her down, I will ride her and leave the XS11 at home.

Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc
Amarillo, TX
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Sweet Scarlet"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Gray Ghost"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Bones" (The Donner Cycle)
1979 XS1100SF Special "Black Ranger"

[draketrumpet]

Too bad SWMBO isn't too keen on me takin' off for a weekend again, otherwise I'd be all over this. Yep, Webcraft really knows his forks, once you get an improvised fork tool put together.

Hope it goes well.

[The Bike Doc]

Draketrumpet:

Bring SWMBO allong. She doesn't have to cook, there is great swimming in the pond, hiking and mountain biking trails. longhorns to loligag at (and eat) and I'll even rent out the master bedroom to you so you don't have to sleep on a cot or the ground. I do a killer pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ride with me on this, she deserves this weekend getaway.

Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc
Amarillo, TX
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Sweet Scarlet"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Gray Ghost"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Bones" (The Donner Cycle, being stripped to the bones to the the other Secas alive!)
1979 XS1100SF Special "Black Ranger"

[The Bike Doc]

Here is a response from one of the members of the XJownersgroup list who attended last year.

Paul, I'm still in. This year I plan on riding to the event, well I planned to ride last year, but got snowed out and had to trailer the bike to Amarillo.

This year I will be a watcher; my XJ runs pretty good, but will be staying at home. My new (to me) ??# runs good, too.

I would like to stay at your home in Bushland on Wednesday evening, if you have room. Can I buy pizzas or ?? for dinner? I feel like a bum bringing only my appetite.

I would like to stay in the screened bunk house again. Should I get a hold of Jon to reserve my spot? Count me in for dinner on Saturday evening, too (remember I will be bringing my appetite).

I will bring my XJ shim tool, a metric feeler gauge (makes the math easier) and a home made carb sync tool. Believe me, it is home made, but seems to work OK. I will also remember to bring a digital camera.

Regarding camping or motels, I really don't have a preference. I will bring a bed roll regardless and a tent if necessary. I will go with whatever you/the group decide(s).

If anybody is undecided on attending this event: please attend. Paul is a great cook, a wonderful host and a magnificent tour guide. He knows the best roads in Texas.

Thanks for your efforts and thanks to everyone else for listening.
Jim

[The Bike Doc]

Looks like I will be riding the "Black Ranger" down the the CTxCC. My friend is going to join me riding "Sweet Scarlet" and my son will be on the "Gray Ghost". Yeehaw!!!

Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc
Amarillo, TX
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Sweet Scarlet"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Gray Ghost"
1982 XJ750RJ Seca "Bones" (The Donner Cycle, being stripped to the bones to the the other Secas alive!)
1979 XS1100SF Special "Black Ranger"

[draketrumpet]

Draketrumpet:

Bring SWMBO allong. She doesn't have to cook, there is great swimming in the pond, hiking and mountain biking trails. longhorns to loligag at (and eat) and I'll even rent out the master bedroom to you so you don't have to sleep on a cot or the ground. I do a killer pancake breakfast Saturday and Sunday mornings. Ride with me on this, she deserves this weekend getaway.

I floated the idea and she came back with the overused "And who will watch the kids?" (3 and 1 years old) Grrr.... I'd love to, but afraid I'll have to pass, barring some unforeseen eventuality. However, next year this may be a whole different story... especially since John and Kat aren't hosting MoM...

[webbcraft2150]

I will be coming in from Austin, short haul for me.

And, I had a short coversation with John while at the last M.O.M. It is alot of work and expence for them and they have been more than generous in the past years hosting the event. I am still certainly up for hosting the 2011 M.O.M.

[The Bike Doc]

Glad to have you out.

BAD news on my end. On a valve adjustment this weekend looks like we managed to bend the valves and lost all compression on the XS1100SF Special the "Black Ranger". Bummer!!! Now I have to look at replacing the head or stripping the bike to parts to try to recoup the $2K I tied up in it's resurrection. Summer project for my son. DA/\/\ /\/!!!

Items to think about if you are interested Kracker Exhaust, new SS brake lines fron and rear, rebuilt calipers front and rear, cleaned carbs, seat and full back rest (sissy bar) in excellent condition. Headlight good, tach bad, speedometer good, new clutch cable, new choke cable. Engine what is not toast from the bent valves had only 14,500 miles on it. New rear tire Dunlop GT501 (less than 100 miles in test rides no tire smoking), (front tire new will fit my Secas so I will hang on to it) front wheel and rotors are good, rear wheel and rotors good, transmission good, drive shaft good, wheels good, handle bars good, brake levers and clutch lever fair (paint pealing but still very functional), mastercylinder good, TCI replaced from running bike worked well before we toasted the valves, all the electronics, light good, new gasket set for engine rebuild not yet opened, new front fork seals and roller bearing headset not yet installed still in original packages, gas tank has dent in top easy body shop repair, but the innternals are clean and treated to prevent rusting. Fenders good, side covers good but logos fading, tool kit x 2. Hopefully I can recoup enough to get a running machine and not have to go throught the headache of trying to resurrect a non-running machine.

I still will be holding the Carb Clinic, but I will be riding my 750 Seca down from Amarillo.

Paul

[trbig]

Now I have to look at replacing the head or stripping the bike to parts to try to recoup the $2K I tied up in it's resurrection.

Everyone likes parts.. but parting one out because of valves? REALLY!?!? Spend $40 on a used head, pull the valves, lap them, shim them, and go on. If the head gasket doesn't de-laminate when you pull it, just re-use it. You could even go to the triples site and get some valves from there. The 78-79 valves are cheap and you've probably only bent a few.

Seems an awefully silly reason to give up on a bike, but I've heard of worse.

Tod

[The Bike Doc]

Central Texas Carb Clinic Canceled

Big Bummer in Amarillo Texas. My three bikes are down and out. My XS11 has bent valves, My XJ750RJ Seca Sweet Scarlet broke her frame this week, and XJ750RJ Seca Gray Ghost electronics gave up the Ghost and we are still trying to debug the bugger. I am down to borrowing my kids Honda 250 Rebel or riding my bicycle for my two wheel fix. Work is going totally insane and the boses do not want me to take my much needed vacation. Bottom line, I am going to have to post pone the Central Texas Carb Clinic to a later date.

Thanks,

Paul K. Nolan, MD
AKA: The Bike Doc

[jwhughes3]

any chance this will be revived this year sometime?

Seemed to be a fun idea....

John

[webbcraft2150]

Dunno, be kinda nice to fire the carb clinic back up. I waitin for the plans for the 2011 MOM Rally.

[Wildkat]

I waitin for the plans for the 2011 MOM Rally.

lol
Me too... I thought you were taking this one on this year.


With the addition John and I are putting on the house and band schedules for the kids... we just don't have the time (or the space at the moment).