Total Motorcycle Community Forums

The549 wrote:Ok, got it started, same problem. My feeling is that it's the idle jets. It idles low and dies, and all I can't keep it easily revved at anything between 1000 and 3000. Choke doesn't do anything until it kicks in and keeps it at 4000.

The549 wrote:

Pongo wrote:Maybe check your petcock automatic fuel cut off valve, it's vacuum activated, mightn't be working properly. Your manual should show you how. There should be a filter in it too, clean that while you are about it.

BTW. Take it easy on the starter...5 seconds and then let it cool for 10-15 seconds before cranking again....easy to cook.

AHA!

Tell me how much of a problem this could be:

The549 wrote: It feels like a whole new bike!

I cleaned the completely gummed petcock, and took the filter out. The manual states that the filter is permenently attached and needs to be replaced with the entire petcock. Nonsense! I put a car fuel filter in after the petcock, and it's running great now!

The only other issue now is I think I hear the timing chain....it's sure wonderful to have a bike budget under the 1k range.

edit to say: apparently the clicking sound is from the valves, so I'm probably gonna take it in for an adjustment.

The549 wrote:So, after having my bike for a week, here are some of the stupid things I've done:

--U turns. I fail at life in general, women, gift giving, and fixing carburetors. But one things I hope to get better at is U turns (on a motorcycle), which I'm giving myself a sure "F" in right now. Half of the time I can do a lock to lock turn feet up, but what I have a hard time doing is judging (with cars and bars etc) just where I can make u turns. If I approach it assertively, it usually works.

--My bike is fast. It's just a 550cc Zephyr, but when I wring the throttle, there isn't much on 4 wheels that could keep up. The magazine tests rated this bike new in 1990 as going 0-60 in 3.65 seconds. I actually feel as though that has helped me more than anything - I can move in front of traffic rather than be stuck behind it. But it has caused me to take some overly spirited speeds through turns that I've had to brake in and have almost gone off both sides of the road. Yikes.

--I took it up to 85mph, which was really fun, and for some reason felt better than at 60pmh, although it could have been due to heavy winds where I've been riding. I suppose that was a stupid move, but it'll probably happen again. This would only be on empty 55pmh backroads. That's just too fun.

--I was turning right out of a parking lot, when a cute little devil made me smash my brakes for her on her bicycle.....ON THE WRONG SIDE OF THE ROAD! Now I know in a 2 lane road, I have to look in 4 ways - one left for left and right moving traffic, and one right for right and left moving ignorant college girls.

--Yesterday, I made a right turn after scanning for traffic on a red light. This was in town. The road I turned onto had one block before I had to cut accross 3 lanes to get to the left turn lane to get to class. Anwyays, I went and decided to cut left right away, and turned back once more to check for cars as I began entering the far left lane. As I looked forward, a car had just pulled out a bit from the sidewalk....and was gaining speed entering my lane. F#&% me, I was aiming for the rear doors! I started to turn away to the right, and the car kept coming. I pressed and pressed.....and I made it! HOLY #$%# was I shaking! Surprised my knee didn't leave a mark on their bumper.

Here's a grubby little pic I made. Boxes are cars parked on the side of the road. I couldn't draw it, but there were a lot of college girls with that wide eyed freaked look staring at me. But you know what they say about attention.



And finally, a moment of silence please for a downed mc brother on a main road here today - apparently he's alive. That's not saying much.

*****
Yes I'll be more careful, but I have to note:

Motorcycle has been the single thing to have raised my capacity of life to live! For in just a few seconds, I can go from stopped with two feet on the ground to the zen wind roaring rush as if falling down from heaven like the devil's angels.