Resurrection of a free '76

A forum for stories, pics and updates of your resto's. Be it a barn find, Grampas hand me down or a bike being brought back to it's former glory.If you are restoring it, show us your stuff!

Moderators: Brant, Sagebrush, Forum Moderators

Post Reply
CampCowan
Lead Member
Lead Member
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Jun 17, 2017 3:45 am

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#31

Post by CampCowan »

You sir are very thorough
User avatar
cmyoch
Gold Member
Gold Member
Posts: 1241
Joined: Sat Nov 19, 2011 4:32 pm
Location: Smithton, IL

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#32

Post by cmyoch »

BustedKnuckles wrote:
cmyoch wrote:Very nice looking bike. I really like the 3 light setup. Did you buy it like that or set it up yourself? I'm curious how the running lights are attached?
Next time I take photos I will capture that. The lights came installed, will see if I can find any markings.
Snap a shot of it next to your '67 El Camino. I'll snap a shot of mine next to my '69 Camaro
1976 GL1000
1978 Yamaha XS650
1984 Harley Davidson XLH1000
1969 Camaro Z28
1977 Redheaded Wife (Better move her to the top of this list)
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#33

Post by BustedKnuckles »

cmyoch wrote:
BustedKnuckles wrote:
cmyoch wrote:Very nice looking bike. I really like the 3 light setup. Did you buy it like that or set it up yourself? I'm curious how the running lights are attached?
Next time I take photos I will capture that. The lights came installed, will see if I can find any markings.
Snap a shot of it next to your '67 El Camino. I'll snap a shot of mine next to my '69 Camaro
Here's a detail shot of the running light mounts, so much chrome it's hard to see whats really going on. Icould not find any identifying marks on them (sorry). I bet you could source a universal set like these from JC Whitney.
IMG_4359.JPG
IMG_4359.JPG (98.08 KiB) Viewed 196 times
IMG_4360.JPG
IMG_4360.JPG (96.7 KiB) Viewed 196 times
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#34

Post by BustedKnuckles »

New intake runners showed up, a set of four with new O-rings. They have a great polish to them. Today I will swap out the cracked one.
IMG_4367.JPG
IMG_4367.JPG (112.47 KiB) Viewed 195 times
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#35

Post by BustedKnuckles »

Swapped out the cracked intake runner yesterday, used ether to verify the leak is now gone. Fuel bowls drained/flushed and a little more crud came out. Plugs checked, they are dry and grey. Richened up the idle by backing screws out 1/2 turn each (to 2-1/2) and adjusting idle. Still running Seafoam in the tank. After riding to work today the idle no longer hangs, has more power, does not randomly die at warm up, if stalled it easily restarts, and does not die occasionally when coming to a stop. Power is linear and pulls in every gear. When revved it responds predictably. There are occasional stumbles while bike is idling with no throttle input, as well as smoke accompanied by the smell of raw fuel at startup from cold. Today for the first time while riding with choke out, it affected performance (gutless when throttled). It is not perfect but it is getting closer and closer. This evening I will do another drain and fill with concentrated Seafoam/gas again for 24 hours. When the carbs are cleared of (most) crud an idle drop and checking the synchronization are in order. If gas mileage is still poor, will pull the carbs regardless of how well it runs. Still waiting on Hagon rear shocks to get delivered.

I have a few questions:

1) When checking for vacuum leaks with ether, the RPMs change whenever the spray is near the throttle shafts. Not as much as an actual source of a vacuum leak, but a little. Is this permissible? Will fresh felts exhibit this behavior? I can't imagine greased felts to provide a 100% vacuum seal.

2) When doing the idle drop procedure, check/adjust carb sync before or after?
IMG_4368.JPG
IMG_4368.JPG (172.36 KiB) Viewed 183 times
IMG_4371.JPG
IMG_4371.JPG (97.56 KiB) Viewed 183 times
IMG_4372.JPG
IMG_4372.JPG (85.39 KiB) Viewed 183 times
Another observation: Next on my list is lubing all my cables and cleaning all my linkages. I was looking at the throttle cable and noticed the upper one (mounted further back) looked like it had an extra locking nut. It is not screwed to the adjuster, it's just "floating" in there. In the photo you can barely see that it's threads are not engaged and it is kinked.

Does anyone have a photo of the cables installed correctly?
IMG_4402.JPG
IMG_4402.JPG (71.55 KiB) Viewed 177 times
Last edited by BustedKnuckles on Wed Jun 28, 2017 11:35 am, edited 1 time in total.
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#36

Post by desertrefugee »

Sounds like you just need to ride the heck out of it now.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#37

Post by BustedKnuckles »

desertrefugee wrote:Sounds like you just need to ride the heck out of it now.
How accurate are the speedometers? The needle pointed to 110 this morning :twisted:
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#38

Post by desertrefugee »

Heh, heh. Bike is fine. Fully resurrected.
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#39

Post by ericheath »

I believe the two lock nuts are standard. Looks like you'll be needing a replacement soon with the current kink in it, but it could go for years. It's not a bad idea to get a replacement and keep it coiled up out of sight.

Speedometers usually read a bit higher than actual, but depends on what tire is on it.

I think most tolerate a little loss around the throttle shafts.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
User avatar
robin1731
Membership Admin
Membership Admin
Posts: 21724
Joined: Mon May 29, 2006 8:31 am
Location: Decatur, Indiana

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#40

Post by robin1731 »

ericheath wrote:snip.............
I think most tolerate a little loss around the throttle shafts.
Not really. If it is enough to change rpm when the ether is sprayed around it that means they are leaking.

.
1976 Goldwing Super Sport
1985 Honda Elite
1976 KZ900 Dragbike
1992 ZX7 Dragbike (KZ900 style motor w/NOS)
and a rotation of various purchases
Randakk approved Carb Rebuilder
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#41

Post by BustedKnuckles »

Eric and Robin, thank you both for weighing in. I found this article, hopefully it puts the debate to rest. I'm going to move forward assuming that a little vacuum leak is ok.

http://www.wingovations.com/carb-thrott ... 4579471122
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
User avatar
desertrefugee
SUPER BIKER!!!!
SUPER BIKER!!!!
Posts: 3947
Joined: Fri Nov 11, 2011 9:33 pm
Location: Chandler, AZ, USA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#42

Post by desertrefugee »

Based on post #37, I would tend to agree...
- Life is not about waiting for the storms to pass. It's about learning to ride in the rain.
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#43

Post by BustedKnuckles »

Flushed the carbs again last night, only a few specks of crud came out. I went with full strength Seafoam for an hour or so while I lubed my cables. Went for a test ride on the hilliest and tightest curving streets in town, bike behaved beautifully however there is very little engine braking on steep hills. The throttle snaps closed now and the engines response is crisp. I'm very satisfied. Time to adjust the idle fuel screws and check the synchronization next, I want to exercise the idle circuit more and make sure they are clean... time to hit the twisties!
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
User avatar
ericheath
Honored Life Member
Honored Life Member
Posts: 9580
Joined: Wed Jul 29, 2009 11:20 am
Location: Winnipeg, Manituba

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#44

Post by ericheath »

While running you can remove the fuel air screw and alternate a few blasts of air pressure and carb cleaner.
Whatever I suggest here should be given ample time for a moderator to delicately correct. I apologize in advance.
77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
"Continuing education is important even if the subject matter is fairly useless (as in this case)."---Greg Foresi
BustedKnuckles
Cast Iron Member
Cast Iron Member
Posts: 65
Joined: Fri Apr 28, 2017 10:59 am
Location: Vallejo, CA

Re: Resurrection of a free '76

#45

Post by BustedKnuckles »

I ordered a set of 13" Hagon Twin Shocks from Dave Quinn Motorcycles. This size would bring the bike back to stock ride height. My air shocks had a slow leak, so the ride quality suffered. When I topped them up they were too stiff, by the end of the day they were too "squish" and would sometimes bottom out.
IMG_4411.JPG
IMG_4411.JPG (50.63 KiB) Viewed 113 times
IMG_4416.JPG
IMG_4416.JPG (37.01 KiB) Viewed 113 times
IMG_4434.JPG
IMG_4434.JPG (48.07 KiB) Viewed 113 times
Last edited by BustedKnuckles on Mon Jul 10, 2017 10:23 am, edited 2 times in total.
1976 GL1000
1969 CL350 Scrambler
1982 CB450T

1967 Chevy El Camino 396
1978 Dodge Class C Georgie Boy Cruise Master
Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Members Restorations and Projects”