All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#16

Post by Easter »

I spent a good chunk of the weekend sorting out the method for adapting the 1100 Shelter to the 1200 frame. I won't go into all the alternatives I explored but the main issue was being sure the front forks did not come in contact with the shelter. The final solution is deceptively simple but I took a long time getting there. The photos show the mounting tabs which required cutting off the original tabs as well as securing the rear of the shelter in a way that did not conflict with the gas tank and original seat mounts. The frame and shelter are pretty crusty but that will be resolved with sand blasting and most likely powder coating. The shelter will need a lot of sanding but has no cracks or serious issues.
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#17

Post by Easter »

Since the frame was in such good condition with no serious rust, I decided to forgo powder coating and just paint with a two part urethane. Since I already had the paint, this saves me a considerable chunk on the total budget. But it did require several hours of hard labor doing the prep work.

Today the engine went back into the frame after letting the frame cure for several days. Sometimes it is difficult to get the frame back around the engine, sometimes it is really difficult. Today was one of those days but it is now bolted back in and ready for other components. Since I don't know this engine, I am gambling the clutch is still good and the alternator is working properly. I did test for shorts but we will see if it works when it is all back together :IDTS:
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#18

Post by Easter »

I pulled the cam covers to polish them and was pleasantly surprised at the cleanliness of this engine. Looks like it has been very well cared for. When I checked the compression a while back all the cylinders were showing just about 160, so I have high hopes that all is well inside.

Polishing aluminum is its own reward, but frankly I hate it!! Two days to do the belt covers and the cam covers, but they do look pretty good now. I went ahead and mounted the forks and my handlebars came in the mail today so they were just in time. Unfortunately I discovered something I should have known before: the 85 (at least the dressers) came with 1 inch bars. Further complicating things they taper to 7/8 at the controls. This makes for a dilemma, go with a one inch bar and do something different with the controls or use shims on the 7/8 bar. I was already planning to replace the clutch and brake front master cylinder so I can get them either way but that would mean a different throttle control and right and left electrics. OR--I could go with the Motogadget M system again as I did on the Dumpster build. But that costs money and my wiring harness is in pretty good shape and my budget is not. SO--we shall see.
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#19

Post by Easter »

It is starting to go back together now and the tubs are emptying out. Still a lot of cleaning to do. Brakes, wheels, wiring yet to do and decisions about rear fender and seat as well as instrumentation. Lots of electronics on the '85 Interstate and some of it I have never seen before so still have some challenges ahead to get it running.
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#20

Post by Easter »

Made some visual progress today, wheels on, controls sort of on, rear shocks cleaned up and installed. Started on the wiring, some progress but it looks like it has a serious hernia. Some of this wiring just has to go and some of it will be significantly shortened. Bars are drilled for internal wiring, if I get real ambitious I might try running the control wires through the bars. The problem at this stage is I don't know what most of this is for so don't want to start cutting till I have it running. Maybe by Christmas! :shock:
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#21

Post by Easter »

Things have been moving along reasonably well, even got it started. BUT I have hit a real (for me) brain teaser. As you can see from the photos I am trying to sort out the wiring. That would be complicated enough if I didn't have another issue that is not directly related to the wiring but must somehow be connected. First, I have not cut or removed or otherwise harmed any of the original harness beyond removing some of the tape. I planned to get it running and gradually wire in all the stuff that is staying, then, one wire, one connector at a time begin removing the stuff I don't need.

Unfortunately I have encountered an erratic issue with the ignition system that includes the fuel pump function. I won't go into details about trouble shooting but I have spent hours trying to isolate the problem. Fuel pump works, fuel pump relay is good, but sometimes I have spark and sometimes I don't! (which means the fuel pump shuts down as well, confusing the issue). I was inclined to believe the ignition control unit (black box, computer) was at fault. I have a spare from another engine which when substituted during a period of "no spark" also produced no spark. Probably bad too. But this morning after sitting all night I fired it up without difficulty (original ICU) and let it run for a few minutes when it just quit. Sure enough, no spark. Switched to second ICU, same story. Went to lunch.

After lunch, tried it again, started up! I shut it off and quickly switched to the second ICU, then fired it back up. So I think it does not seem to be an ICU problem.
If it were a bad coil it would be two cylinders only.
If it were caused by the pulse generator on the front of the engine, wouldn't one coil continue to fire?
the problem seems (maybe) heat related, engine runs a bit then shuts off, sets long enough to cool down then fires up. Doesn't seem like a bad wire or connection (have checked pretty carefully) but could be overlooking something.
Is there any common denominator to the entire ignition system?
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Note the cute little clutch and brake controls.
Note the cute little clutch and brake controls.
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Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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CYBORG
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#22

Post by CYBORG »

have you considered the spark plug wires on that side of the engine? I know that would not effect the fuel pump. Possibly a bad fuse. Intermittent. seems heat related. Fuse heats up and opens. Or resistor's in the plug ends
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#23

Post by Easter »

Will try to check it out. have tested all the fuses but maybe--
It has not been running for more than about five minutes at slow idle so heat would have to be generated by a short or something and not by the engine itself. Tonight I was able to put my hand on the exhaust manifold after it shut down.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#24

Post by gltriker »

Easter, this is off topic, but where did you source those, "Note the cute little clutch and brake controls." ?

Thanks! thup
Last edited by gltriker on Fri Nov 03, 2017 2:16 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Cliff (74yrs ;) )

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RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#25

Post by Easter »

$40 on ebay, polished aluminum. Haven't really tried them yet as I have no brake line and the clutch is also untried. Here is the link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/7-8-22mm-Motorc ... 2749.l2649

Don't know if it is still valid but should get you enough info to find another set.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#26

Post by Rat »

Nothing useful to add .... but just want to thank you for the great posts showing us what you're up to ....

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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#27

Post by Easter »

Thanks Gord, I appreciate that.
If you have been following along on the other thread in Tech Discussions you know I have with lots of help, finally sorted all this out. As simple as a bad pulsar, but took a long time to get there. Now I have to figure out why cylinder #4 isn't firing. Should get my brake parts today so I can have a change of pace. Haven't ordered the brake lines yet but will try to get around to that this weekend. And then there is all that wire!!
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
User avatar
Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#28

Post by Easter »

It has not been a very productive week, and that not for trying. Number 4 is still not contributing. Spark is good but the pilot jet was plugged completely. I pulled the rack and decided to switch out number four carb for one from the original set. Unfortunately it is a California spec set and while the differences are small and I changed the jets as well it also will not run. I am at a loss as to why since I confirmed the pilot circuit is clear. Fuel is present and everything looks like it should work. At the moment the carb with the plugged pilot jet is in the ultrasonic cleaner again and maybe I can get it to clear but I am not hopeful.
Second issue (of course!) although the bike starts easily now and idles good (on three cylinders) I noticed a small puddle of oil underneath the weep hole from the water pump. Sooo- that means the radiator will have to come off yet again. Now the big question, I have at least two and maybe three water pumps laying around. Should I gamble on one of those or buy a new one? Haven't spent much on this bike so far but hate to start now.
On a more positive note, I have been working on paint prep and the shelter and side covers are not far from being ready to paint. Brakes are back together (back one works with no leaks!) and the stainless brake lines should be here next week for the front. Fenders are off for sandblasting but it is still an open question whether I will use them or do something different. No seat yet and no headlight. Started whacking on the wiring but don't want to go far with that till I get my instrumentation sorted out.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#29

Post by robin1731 »

With two different carbs and still no fire on number 4. That points to something maybe besides the carb.
Does it pick up #4 if you bring the revs up? Even with a completely plugged idle circuit they usually pick up that cylinder when the rpm is raised enough.

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Easter
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Re: All it needs is a battery and maybe a carb clean

#30

Post by Easter »

I am not sure. It sounds smoother when I pick up the rpms but I am not able to tell for sure if number 4 is coming in. I am using a timing light/tach/dwell meter clipped to number 4 wire so I think I am getting a pretty good rpm count and am positive that it is getting spark. Since it is still on the table I can't really tell about power. Haven't tried pulling the wire at higher rpms, I guess I could try that.
Bikes at present:

83 XL 600r with a 2004 XR650L engine
And a slightly worse for the wear BMW GS adventure bike awaiting repair
83 GL in process :IDTS:
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