Doh!!! Now what?

Message

Axman · #1 Unread post by **Axman** » Thu Oct 11, 2007 3:04 pm

I currently have a 1980 CM400E which I'm restoring. The bike was running but was a little rough at idle. I thought a good carb cleaning was in order so I pulled the carbs off and began to carefully disassemble them. The idle mix screw on the right side carb was not turning too easy so with the fuel bowl removed I started backing it out carefully with a screw driver. The screw's head decided it was going to part company with the rest of the idle mix screw. I managed to carefully drill the screw out and remove it with an EZ-out. I salvaged the carb and can find replacements through Honda OEM parts. That however isn't the problem. When I separated the two carbs the smaller diameter fuel link tube broke. On each end of the link tube is a groove made for O-rings to be installed. The break occurred at one of the end grooves. The tube will have to be replaced but Honda has discontinued the part. The tube is still long enough to extend to each carb but it will not fit all the way to the bottom of the socket hole. Is there a suitable substitute or will I have to contact my local machine shop to make another one for $$$$$$$$$$$$?

NorthernPete · Thu Oct 11, 2007 10:09 pm

scrap yards and ebay are your friends....

Axman · #3 Unread post by **Axman** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:50 pm

NorthernPete wrote:scrap yards and ebay are your friends....

I refuse to do anything with ebay (please don't ask why). I do not have any motorcycle salvage yards in my area. To tell you the truth the nearest one is 85 miles away in Las Vegas. Probably cost more in fuel to run up there than the part would cost. I May try a small length of steel automotive fuel line in a smaller outside diameter. If I just place an O-ring around the steel line and insert it, it may seal. There's no pressure on the tube so I imagine it may work.

ceemes · #4 Unread post by **ceemes** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:53 pm

Axman wrote:
NorthernPete wrote:scrap yards and ebay are your friends....
I refuse to do anything with ebay (please don't ask why).

Why is that?

Well, someone had to and it is in my sig after all.

Axman · #5 Unread post by **Axman** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 3:11 pm

I quit using ebay about 8 years ago because of some of their policies. I might try another auction site but definitely not ebay.

ceemes · #6 Unread post by **ceemes** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 7:09 pm

Axman wrote:I quit using ebay about 8 years ago because of some of their policies. I might try another auction site but definitely not ebay.

Here in Vancouver we have the Greater Vancouver Motorcycle Club on whose web page, member can list bikes for sale or put up a part wanted ad. Check to see if you have something like that in your area, or put up a request on your local Craigslist. Someone is bound to have it.

By the way, what exactly is the part you are looking for? There is a place in Langley BC that is a treasure trove of hard to find parts (check my blog for pictures of the place). Tell me what you are looking for and I could see if he has it and then mail it to you at cost plus postage if that would help.

#7 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Fri Oct 12, 2007 8:01 pm

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures...

It will definitely make the job of describing what you want, go a little easier.

I'm guessing ceemes means "Bent Bike" yes it's a great place, there used to be a place in Richmond as well but I think they've closed shop

ceemes · #8 Unread post by **ceemes** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 3:35 am

dr_bar wrote:Pictures, Pictures, Pictures...

It will definitely make the job of describing what you want, go a little easier.

I'm guessing ceemes means "Bent Bike" yes it's a great place, there used to be a place in Richmond as well but I think they've closed shop

Yup Bent Bike it be....bet you could find a left hand treaded articulating vacuum whoseitwhatsit off a 1892 Millet there.

Axman · #9 Unread post by **Axman** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 4:30 am

The part I need is shown as part number 13 on the Honda Carburetor microfiche at Bike Bandit and other sites. Check link below.

http://houseofmotorcycles.bikebandit.co ... 980/175514

#10 Unread post by **dr_bar** » Sat Oct 13, 2007 6:34 am

Yup, I love those schematics, clear as mud....

I did check out bike bandit to see what part you were talking about, but as much as I love that site, I hate the schematics for most of the older bikes, as they're not that clear.

Get your, (or a friends) digital camera out and snap a couple of pictures of the carbs, the broken piece and how they sit together...

Shrink them down in size, (file size as well as dimension) You don't want the picture too big for the site... Post them up and let the pros, (or semi-pros) take a look.