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Due diligence part 2

Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 6:35 pm
by mikenixon
This is a followup on the original article, Due Diligence.

A fellow contacts me, asking if I can repair the threads in his carburetors. Of course I can. I buy 4mm Timeserts practically by the pound. Pre-1980 carburetors are very susceptible to pulled threads. I give him the price, very reasonable. And then this rider, who has spent thousands of dollars on such "important" things as head porting and racing pistons and cam, tells me, "Oh, well, I guess I'll just jam bigger screws in there, that ought to do it." W-What?

What is wrong with people? I will never understand the logic of chrome, red spark plug wires and spendy high performance parts on bikes whose steering bearings are loose, brakes, chains and tires are unsafe, valves badly need adjusting and carburetors have never been synchronized. And the sheet metal screws holding the carburetors together. What exactly drives this?

Some customers call me three years after a rebuild to get their carbs repaired after they have broken them in an attempt to rebuild them themselves. Two things. Why did they not use fuel stabilizer, and why didn't they contact me before destroying their carburetors? It's puzzling. As near as I can tell, folks apparently believe having their carbs rebuilt each season makes more sense than properly treating them with Sta-Bil. I don't get it.

Sta-Bil works! Its effectiveness claim is two years, and I have proven it. On my own bike, I simply run it full-time so it is always in the carbs' circuits. Then if I don't ride for three or more weeks, when I want to ride again all I do is crack the drain screws and open the petcock to flush out the float bowls and I'm ready to go. Bike starts right up and idles great. This after 18 months sitting last season. For planned storage periods, same thing except draining the bowls beforehand eliminates that need on starting. How hard can this be?

Due diligence. What a concept!

Re: Due diligence part 2

Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 10:40 pm
by twooldwings
this is going to generate a few good "previous owner" stories and, i really enjoy those, to be honest.
big sta-bil fan here !

Re: Due diligence part 2

Posted: Fri Feb 19, 2021 11:05 pm
by Rednaxs60
Interesting topic and thoughts. People will spend significant coin on items that do nothing more than hit the pocket book and are cosmetic, been guilty of this as well; however, won't spend the time, money and energy doing what is needed. Over the last year I have done exactly what Mike has mentioned, what is wrong with me. I did a complete paint job of my 1500, Pearl Glacier white, and rebuilt the engine and did a complete paint job of my '85 Limited Edition - could have bought a newer bike.

I had to farm out media blasting, honing of the cylinders, checking con rods for straight and a few other issues, but while these are being taken care of, I'm progressing other aspects of the project.

Many times I would like to have the resources available that are south of the border, but that is not going to happen. Anyone in the US thinks that they are being taken advantage of, come up to Canada once the border opens, we know how to lighten your pocketbook quite well with taxes, duty, exchange rate, courier costs, postage and such.

Good topic Mike.

Re: Due diligence part 2

Posted: Sat Feb 20, 2021 11:30 am
by pidjones
I do the same with Sta-bil. I have three 5 gallon cans. I fill them all at the same time from ethanol-free regular pump at the local station, with Sta-bil already in them. I use this in all of my carbureted engines (tractors, weed eater, tiller, motorcycles, chain saws, etc.) The cares and GL1800 get the other stuff.