New member, more problems

Jerry G Turner · August 23, 2016, 08:04:44 AM

Try cli-max riding gear Terry runs it the prices there are always reasonable.

Drdubbya · August 23, 2016, 09:00:39 AM

Will do, thank you. Does 350 for a set sound right?

Drdubbya · August 23, 2016, 12:44:11 PM

Quote from: Jerry G Turner on August 23, 2016, 08:04:44 AM
Try cli-max riding gear Terry runs it the prices there are always reasonable.

Even with free shipping Cli-Max is still 10 buck more than one of the others. Oh well, cost of tires is what it is.

Jerry G Turner · August 23, 2016, 03:03:09 PM

What size are you looking at? That seems to high to me. Stock tires front 120/80/17 rear 150/80/15 look on eBay front 120/80/17 Dunlop k555 112 dollars free shipping 150/80/15 Dunlop k555 152 dollars free shipping.

MagnaMan · August 24, 2016, 05:16:50 PM

You can save money by going with the cheaper tires and change more often.

Metzelers are going to be the most expensive tire, usually a lot more than Dunlop K555s. However they will last longer in terms of mileage. In my experience the rear Metzelers lasted twice as long as the Dunlops and the front Metzelers lasted about 3 times as long.

People have different opinions on which tires grip better. I don't like the stock sized Metzeler on the rear so I run a slightly larger size. I found the Dunlops to be stickier within the first couple of years but they felt like they got harder and slicker afterwards. Metzelers seem to age better in my experience. But if you're going to burning through a lot of miles and need new tires every couple of years then the Dunlops will probably be OK.

I also have Shinko tires on my other Magna. They seem to be OK but they don't carry a stock size for the front tire.

Drdubbya · August 25, 2016, 12:45:57 PM

Quote from: MagnaMan on August 24, 2016, 05:16:50 PM
You can save money by going with the cheaper tires and change more often. Or you

Metzelers are going to be the most expensive tire, usually a lot more than Dunlop K555s. However they will last longer in terms of mileage. In my experience the rear Metzelers lasted twice as long as the Dunlops and the front Metzelers lasted about 3 times as long.

People have different opinions on which tires grip better. I don't like the stock sized Metzeler on the rear so I run a slightly larger size. I found the Dunlops to be stickier within the first couple of years but they felt like they got harder and slicker afterwards. Metzelers seem to age better in my experience. But if you're going to burning through a lot of miles and need new tires every couple of years then the Dunlops will probably be OK.

I also have Shinko tires on my other Magna. They seem to be OK but they don't carry a stock size for the front tire.

Thank you for the info! To be honest I have no idea how much Im going to end up riding when shes back together. I am hoping a lot, but the way my work schedule is, its hard to tell. I can normally only ride to work one day a week when we get a jeans day, other than that I wear a coat and tie to work every day and that kind of clothing has never suited me for riding very well. I think the bulk of it will be going back and forth from Dallas to Beorne where my uncle lives.

I think Im going to just go with the dunlops this first time, and regardless of how they feel Ill do the metz's next time.

Bike News:

Carbs are finally back together with new factory needles and 2 shims per. I saw the two tiny little holes drilled diagonally on the slides, Dave said that wouldnt be a problem so long as I kept the springs that came with the dyna jet kit. Im hoping that turns out to be the case.

Im hoping to get home at a decent enough hour tomorrow (Friday) that I can get the carbs back on the bike.

Very much crossing my fingers that she comes back to life, at this point I think the word 'committed' fits appropriately.

Jerry G Turner · August 25, 2016, 02:09:58 PM

Just a heads up on the tires most motorcycle places charge about 35 to 40 dollars to mount a balance a tire and that's if you bring the wheel to them they charge more if they have to take the wheels off. Two Wheel World in Arlington will mount and balance for free if you buy the tire from them and bring the wheel to them.

Drdubbya · August 25, 2016, 10:55:45 PM

Im actually lucky, there's a shop down the road from me that will put tires on wheels if I bring them to them and balance them for 15 a piece

Drdubbya · August 29, 2016, 10:50:15 PM

Good news bad news.

Good news.....

SHES RUNS!!! And runs GREAT!!!! Got everything back together tonight and put a gallon of good fuel in her, she started right up and never looked back! I let her idle for a few minutes and then got on it and rode it around the block and down to the corner store, then rode it about ten miles down the road and back. Bike did absolutely great!

I'm gonna order new tires in the morning. Also need to order a new fuel screen for the tank.

Bad news. Fuel screen was torn so I just took it out, I knew I wouldn't run it much and the tank was clean.

Bigger problem...there's a nice little fuel drip coming from the bottom of the carb bank. Couldn't really pin point where tonight, I replaced the bowl gaskets so I doubt it's that but any things possible. Either way looks like it all has to come off again....dang it.

BUT. I have seen the light at the end of the tunnel. She runs, no ifs ands or buts. The clutch wasn't sticking at all, but there's a lot of play in the lever when it's not engaged so I'll have to adjust that.

There is also a gremlin in the blinkers. Every time you turn the key on the left blinker comes on, and then seems to intermittently come on. Everything else worked as it should though.

Thank you all so much for all the help thus far, certainly couldn't have come this far otherwise.

TLRam1 · August 30, 2016, 12:53:01 AM

The leak could be a float valve not shutting off the gas, your fuel shut-off valve not shutting the gas off, you already mentioned gasket and such. Float allowing the fuel bowl to over-fill, so many items that could be the cause with the little info given.

Blinkers, guessing here, connections, switch gear on the handlebar, blinker relay, clean the bulb contacts in the socket, check the grounds. Time consuming but I think you will figure it out. Start with everything clean and making good contact.

Drdubbya · August 30, 2016, 07:49:13 AM

Quote from: TLRam1 on August 30, 2016, 12:53:01 AM
The leak could be a float valve not shutting off the gas, your fuel shut-off valve not shutting the gas off, you already mentioned gasket and such. Float allowing the fuel bowl to over-fill, so many items that could be the cause with the little info given.

Blinkers, guessing here, connections, switch gear on the handlebar, blinker relay, clean the bulb contacts in the socket, check the grounds. Time consuming but I think you will figure it out. Start with everything clean and making good contact.

Thanks terry.

If it was a float not shutting off fuel wouldn't the bike stall? I replaced the needles and float bowl gaskets, never broke the lines open that connect the carbs, just blew them out. Im going to look at it in the daylight when I get home from work since itll be too wet to mow and see if I can determine anything.

Now granted this has been on vehicles, but every time ive had a float get stuck it causes the engine to stall. This thing idled and ran like a champ.

TLRam1 · August 30, 2016, 10:57:01 PM

Not talking about a stuck float, one where your float needle is not shutting off the gas to that bowl, more rare, a float that has a hole in it and buoyancy is lacking or as float out of adjustment and does not shut off the fuel.

Drdubbya · August 31, 2016, 08:47:15 AM

Quote from: TLRam1 on August 30, 2016, 10:57:01 PM
Not talking about a stuck float, one where your float needle is not shutting off the gas to that bowl, more rare, a float that has a hole in it and buoyancy is lacking or as float out of adjustment and does not shut off the fuel.

Im familiar with the float having a hole in it, not the ladder.

Ended up wasting the entire evening yesterday dealing with cell phone issues, finally got home at 1030 and figured id start her up. My steady drip of a fuel leak has turned into a VERY slight drip from the back carb on the left side of the bike. Im wondering if what I saw yesterday was a hose that has expanded a little now that is has moisture back in it. Ill be keeping a steady eye on it.

I ordered a new fuel screen for the tank and a set of Dunlop tires last night. Took her for a short ride twenty minutes up the road and back last night and she did great. Really seems to be running well.

MagnaMan · August 31, 2016, 07:25:35 PM

Glad to hear you're getting closer and that it's running. Good luck tracking down the fuel leak. I find the little mirrors on a stick are handy for looking up at the carbs from underneath and in the valley of the block.

Drdubbya · August 31, 2016, 10:06:15 PM

Okay at this point I'm thinking the leak was either a gasket or hose that just needed to swell up. The first night it was a steady drip, last night it was barely any drip and only from one carb, tonight I couldn't see any fuel leaking at all. I will continue to monitor this. Tires and fuel screen shipped out today.